Month: September 2024

The Birds and the Bees: What Does Being Sexually Healthy Look Like?

Posted on September 24, 2024August 26, 2024 by Greenville Womans Care

September is Sexual Health Month, and we’d like to start by defining what sexually healthy actually means. Sexual health is physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality and sexual acts. Sexual health requires respectful and positive approaches to sexuality, sexual relationships, and sexual experiences. To have sexual health, the rights of a person MUST be respected – meaning there is no coercion, discrimination, and violence, and everybody involved is safe.

Sexual health is not a one-and-done thing; it is built over a lifetime. As you develop into a sexually healthy person, you will begin to notice these characteristics:

Communication – being able to communicate and being receptive to desires, boundaries, consent, and non-verbal cues, interacting and communicating with all genders appropriately and respectfully.

Relationships – have relationships with no sexual agenda and take responsibility for personal boundaries; choose trustworthy, safe partners, where you can be intimate without being physical.

Self-Esteem/Self-Worth – appreciate and stay connected with your body; allow vulnerability; become comfortable with sexual orientation and gender identity; confidence is establishing boundaries; become aware of negative sexual experiences, their impact, and how culture influences sexual decisions.

Education – recognize the consequences of sexual activities; recognize the impact of cultural messages on sex and sexuality; understand positive sex can be integrated into life in healthy ways; respect boundaries and the right for people to enjoy non-exploitive, consensual sex.

Values – establish personal boundaries; respect others’ boundaries; are unthreatened by differing sexual orientations; show respect for all individuals who are different from them (particularly in terms of culture, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, religion, race, and gender).

Body Autonomy – practice safe sex; promote healthy behaviors such as regular STI testing, check-ups, and self-examinations.

Achieving sexual health is about the journey, not the destination. It involves learning about yourself and becoming attuned to your body’s wants and needs. If you have questions or need assistance on your sexual health journey, that’s okay! Greenville Women’s Care is happy to help you however we can. To schedule an appointment with a provider, call 252-757-3131.

Understanding Menopause

Posted on September 20, 2024August 26, 2024 by Greenville Womans Care

Women go through many different stages through life, including childhood, puberty, the reproductive stage, the menopausal transition stage, and menopause. Even though menopause is a biological change that every woman goes through at some point, many don’t understand why menopause happens, the different stages, and the symptoms that come along with it. Greenville Women’s Care is here to help you understand everything you need to know about menopause.

What is Menopause?

Menopause, a natural part of aging, is when a women’s reproductive hormones begin to decline, and ovulation and menstruation stop – signaling the end of fertility. Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 and is a gradual process that can sometimes take up to 14 years. Though menopause is a normal part of life, it brings on many different symptoms and feelings that can be difficult to understand and manage.

Symptoms

Symptoms of menopause can vary for each person, but when you are going through menopause, you could experience hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, mood swings, and weight change. You could also face skin changes, dry mouth, insomnia, decreased libido, or fatigue. These symptoms may surface during the perimenopause stage, and last until the post menopause stage. If you are not sure if your symptoms are related to menopause, your doctor can order blood tests to determine if menopause is likely. In some cases, menopause can begin early due to chemotherapy, hormone therapy, pelvic injuries, surgery, or radiation therapy.

Stages of Menopause

Perimenopause is defined as the transition into menopause and can occur anywhere from 8 – 10 years before the menopause stage, typically around the age of 40. This is when symptoms may begin to surface, hormones could fluctuate, and menstruation may change or become irregular.

Menopause comes next, typically around 50 years old. Menopause is a result of the reproductive cycle coming to an end, causing fluctuations to hormones and changes in the body.

Post menopause is the next stage, when symptoms usually come to an end. Some women may experience other health conditions at this point. The changes your body goes through during menopause can increase your risk of heart disease, loss of bladder control, or weakened bones.

Treatment

Because menopause is a natural stage of life, there is nothing you can do to prevent it from happening. However, if your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, speak with your doctor about treatments to try. You may be prescribed antidepressants or other medication to manage hot flashes, or estrogen to stabilize hormones. Other ways to alleviate symptoms are to avoid triggers like caffeine, alcohol, or spicy foods, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and find ways to relax.

Menopause can be stressful as your body changes once again and you experience symptoms you aren’t used to. This change in your life doesn’t have to be scary, schedule an appointment with a provider at Greenville Women’s Care today to ask questions, get advice, and receive treatment for menopause.