Did you know that 50-60% of women will experience a urinary tract infection during their lifetime? The odds are even in our favor...unfortunately. We often think of the common signs and symptoms that come with a UTI such as painful urination, frequent urination, and constant urge to urinate. 

However, there are other symptoms that you may not recognize. Here are some of those uncommon symptoms that may mean you have one:

1. The pelvic area and lower abdomen may be sensitive due to irritation of the bladder. You may experience pressure, cramping, dull or sharp pain around the bladder. 
2. A strong, unpleasant smell and cloudy urine due to bacteria in the urine is a sign that something isn't right.
3. Pink, red or cola-colored urine can mean that there is blood in the urine. This can also be caused by eating beets, kidney stones, UTI, or something more serious like cancer. It is important to get this checked out immediately. 
4. Low back pain can be indicative of a bladder infection or something more serious like a kidney infection. 
5. Tired and achy. You may feel run down and not yourself. When the body is fighting an infection, it can affect the whole body and make you feel more tired than usual.  
6. If you have a fever, 100.4 or higher, nausea, and vomiting, you may have a kidney infection. This happens when a bladder infection is left untreated and travels to the upper urinary tract system.

Women are at increased risk of getting a UTI mainly due to their anatomy. We often recognize the most common symptoms, but it's just as important to recognize subtle signs and get it treated immediately. 

With love, 

Dr. Jodie Horton

We’ve all had a sweaty crotch...yep, I said it! And with Summer days in full effect, it's nearly impossible to avoid.

The vulva has a high concentration of sweat glands on the labia majora, similar to the sweat glands found in the armpits. These glands can produce a lot of sweat, especially as it gets hotter outside. Don’t worry, genital sweat is normal! Producing sweat is how the body regulates the temperature of the body, including the vulva. 

Genital sweat can cause chafing and irritation so there are a few things that you can do to help minimize being uncomfortable. 

1. Wear cotton, or underwear made of breathable fabric. It’s important to wear moisture-wicking fabrics to keep the vulva dry and cool.  
2. Avoid tight clothing and give the vulva some room to breathe. 
3. Avoid prolonged use of panty liners and pads. There are typically made of non-breathable material that can trap heat and cause more sweating. 
4. If you have thicker thighs (I'm talking about me here! and any anyone else that can relate), then I recommend wearing clothing made of breathable fabric because you tend to sweat more in the genital area. I do love a good cotton maxi dress! 
5. You also still want to practice good feminine hygiene. Keep your routine simple with warm water, gentle cleansing soap, and clean cotton underwear.

With love, 

Dr. Jodie Horton

Nobody loves feeling sweaty and sticky, especially in the genital area. Regardless of those warmer temps and increased heat, the truth is, heat will not affect the pH of the vagina or increase your risk of infections. 

Heat or an increase in temperature can affect the vulva in other ways. The vulva has sweat glands called apocrine glands. These glands are also found in the armpits, breasts, ears, and eyelids. These areas can produce a lot of sweat, particularly when it's hot outside. It's our body’s way to regulate its temperature and keep things cool. 

Sweat is typically odorless but bacteria will break down the sweat into acid that causes an odor. As we all know, body odor can have an unpleasant smell that is unique to an individual. There's no need to worry because this is normal! Just do your best to keep this area clean and dry as much as possible.

With love, 

Dr. Jodie Horton

It’s Summer, which means you may have some much needed time off. Between vacations, spending time outside, visiting friends and family (just to name a few), your schedule may be packed with plans. In addition to your busy Summer plans, this is also a great time to think about your vaginal health and the next appointment with your doctor. It’s always good to prepare and address any problems, concerns, or questions you may have, especially when you have the time to get those visits scheduled.

Here are some things to think about when you schedule that next doctor visit.

When Was the Last Time You Had a Pap Smear?  

You should start having Pap smears at age 21, regardless of when you first start having sex. Women who are 21 to 29 should have a Pap test alone every 3 years. HPV testing alone can be considered for those who are 25 to 29, but Pap tests are preferred. Women who are 30 to 65 have three options for testing. They can have a Pap test and an HPV test (co-testing) every 5 years, they can have a Pap test alone every 3 years, or they can have HPV testing alone every 5 years.  

Get Tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections or STIs  

This usually includes gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis. This does not include herpes testing so this is something you will have to ask for.  Whether you have a new partner or just want to know your status, this is a great time to get tested.  Keep in mind not all will have symptoms if they are exposed to an STI. 

Talk to Your Doctor About Any Problems Involving Your Sexual Health

I often hear people say that they are embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their bodies.  I cannot stress this enough but we have probably heard about it, seen it, or experienced it ourselves. Do NOT be embarrassed.  

Barrier Methods

Birth control is not used just to prevent pregnancy. There are many reasons why someone may want to use contraception and it may take some trial and error to figure out what is best for you.  Think about why you want to use some form of contraception, and consider convenience, cost, and effectiveness. I've included a link to possible choices here, that way you can narrow down your options and discuss them with your doctor.

With love, 

Dr. Jodie Horton

You may already know this, but yeast is normally found in the vagina. That being said, most do not have any typical symptoms of a yeast infection such as itching, discharge, irritation, or burning. This is because yeast typically is in balance with other bacteria that are part of the vaginal ecosystem. It is the overgrowth of yeast that can cause a yeast infection. This can happen when the vaginal ecosystem is disrupted and lactobacilli, the bacteria that keep yeast and bacteria in balance, are depleted. 

Often we associate high sugar foods with an increased risk of yeast infections. This is not actually true. Studies found that those who are not diabetic can eat high sugar foods without an increase in yeast infections. This is because non-diabetic people can metabolize sugar normally and it does not increase the amount of sugar found in the vagina. 

However, those who are pre-diabetic or diabetic have an increased risk of yeast infections when they have uncontrolled blood sugars. High blood sugars can weaken the immune system and affect the body’s ability to fight infections. 

It's always a good idea to limit the amount of added sugars in your diet and to eat a well-balanced diet for your overall health..including your vagina!

With love, 

Dr. Jodie Horton  

As hot girl summer is in full effect, some of us may be thinking about bathing suit season. Not everybody shaves their bikini area and that is 100% a personal choice. However, if you do, shaving is one option to remove hair from the vulva and labia. Shaving the bikini area can sometimes cause razor burn, which can lead to skin irritation and discomfort. 

So how can you avoid the burn? Here are some tips:

Exfoliate

Use a gentle dry brush, washcloth, or gentle scrub to exfoliate the skin on the bikini line and around the vulva. This will help remove dead skin which can build up in the razor. This build-up will make shaving inefficient because multiple passes may be needed for a close shave and lead to irritation and razor burn. If it’s been a while since you shaved, trim your hair before to make it easier to shave with the razor. 

Shave at the End of a Hot Shower or Bath 

Warm water opens the pores and softens the hairs, making it easier to shave avoid razor burn.

Use Shaving Cream or Gel

Using a cream or gel ensures a smooth glide of the razor. Make sure that you shave in the direction of hair growth to minimize irritation. Shaving in multiple directions can lead to cuts and ingrown hairs.

Sharp, New Razor

Avoid using an old dull blade. A dull blade may require multiple passes of the blade to remove hair which can give your razor bumps and burn. A sharp blade is the most efficient way to get a close and clean shave. Getting a close shave, can also reduce the need to shave frequently, this will give the skin an opportunity to recover.

Moisturize

Be sure to moisturize post-shave. The skin can be dry from all the exfoliation, so hydrating it with an unscented lotion or oil is a good idea. 

If you still experience razor burn, consider other hair removal options such as waxing, hair removal creams, or laser hair removal. Another option is to not shave at all and go au naturel!

With love, 

Dr. Jodie Horton

Sometimes "It's not me, it's you" is accurate.

Even while doing everything you know you should be doing to keep your vagina healthy, you have sex once and boom, everything is thrown out of whack.  

It’s true. Your partner’s hygiene can affect your vagina. If you notice that you have recurrent vaginal infections, you may want to ask your partner what their hygiene routine is like. Not the most comfortable conversation at times but communication in any relationship is key! Do they bathe every day? What kind of soap are they using? Cleaning with a non-fragrant soap and warm water helps avoid passing any unwelcome bacteria into the vagina. This may seem like an obvious question but are they changing their underwear every day? Dirty underwear can harbor lots of bacteria that can affect you as well!

Semen can also upset your vaginal pH balance. A healthy vagina is normally acidic, while healthy sperm are alkaline, which can throw off the balance of bacteria in your vagina.

With love, 

Dr. Jodie Horton