Birth control causes pain?

Dear Friend,

We last discussed the importance and challenges of women’s sexual health. 

 Education…Check. How do we treat it? 

1. Optimize Vascular health (Hypertension, Diabetes, Cholesterol)

2. Optimize medication related causes 

3. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as needed 

4. Specific vaginal dryness solutions. 

 Vascular health: 

• Lifestyle optimization: Fitness and nutrition

• Hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes medication strategies if lifestyle strategies are inadequate 

 Medication related issues: 

• Depression/Anxiety medications (SSRI and SNRIs), can cause low desire. They are not equivalent within the class, so switching to an alternate may be helpful (ex. Sertraline vs Prozac). 

• Birth control: Can cause vestibulodynia (painful vulva) - Low dose Estrogen are the worst offenders. 

 HRT 

• Associations with breast cancer from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) are no longer applicable due to the use of bioequivalent hormones used today as opposed to synthetic hormones in the WHI 

• Benefits of HRT may out way the risk for many women 

 Vaginal Dryness: 

• Vaginal moisturizers 

• Vaginal lubricants 

• Low-dose vaginal estrogen cream 

Let’s progress from exercising for cardiovascular health, but also for sexual health. At BodyTimeMD, we look at the entire individual and evaluate all aspects of health including mental and sexual health.

Hope this provides some insight, let's talk if you are interested in finding out more about your body.

 This newsletter is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute giving medical advice or endorsing any treatment. The use or application of the content herein forms no doctor-patient relationship. The information in this newsletter should not substitute for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Thanks,

Mike