Today is National Vagina Day so consider this my vagina appreciation post! 

The vagina is amazing.

Think about it! It's self-cleaning, it can birth a baby, and serves as a pathway during the menstrual cycle. It also has its own unique environment made of many different bacteria and yeast that live in harmony to fight off infection. It can be a little tricky to keep the vagina in balance because it's the first line of defense against infection. The vagina is fighting a constant battle because the balance can be disrupted by the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, aging, stress, medications, sex, and hygiene products that we use.

Do you ever wonder how you can keep the immunity of your vagina thriving? The one thing you can do to improve the immunity of the vagina is to take a probiotic. Certain probiotics have a bacteria called lactobacilli that are the dominant bacteria in the vagina. They produce lactic acid that helps maintain a healthy vaginal pH and stops the overgrowth of bacteria and yeast which then prevents them from adhering to the vagina. The vagina responds to infections by creating an inflammatory reaction so without that healthy vaginal pH, your vagina is responding to the overgrowth of yeast and bad bacteria. In addition to probiotics, vitamins and supplements such as vitamin C, garlic and turmeric help to reduce inflammation in the body (including the vagina) and can enhance the immune response to infection. 

Want to give your vagina the TLC it deserves? Start by taking a probiotic and incorporating supplements and other vitamins to enhance your immune response..your vagina and body will thank you!

With love, 

Dr. Jodie Horton

It’s breast cancer awareness month, but I wanted to talk about what you should be aware of no matter what time of the year it is. Breasts are made of a complex system made of glands and ducts, no two are alike. We should know what they feel like, be aware of any changes, and what puts us at risk for breast cancer.

Self-breast exam (SBE): Breasts can be lumpy and bumpy, which is why I recommended doing a self-breast exam every month. The best time to do an exam is five days after your menstrual period or if you don’t have a period, choose the same day every month to do an exam. It's important to know what your breast normally feels like and if there are any changes.  Keep in mind that SBE is not a substitute for mammograms. So what are you looking for? Most lumps are not cancer, but there are some changes that you want to look for when doing an exam.

• Lump in or near your breast or armpit
• Changes in size or shape of  your breast
• Dimpling, puckering of the skin on your breast
• Nipple that changes position or is inverted
• Skin redness or rash
• Nipple discharge

Risk Factors: Most women are 50 years or older when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. Younger women are at higher risk for breast cancer if they have the following risk factors:

• Genetic mutations for breast cancer called BRCA1 and BRCA2
• Two more first-degree relatives with breast cancer were diagnosed at an early age
• Early-onset of menstrual period (before age 12)
• First full-term pregnancy when you are over 30 years old
• Dense breasts
• Lifestyle: Heavy alcohol consumption, red meat or poor diet, sedentary lifestyle
• Obesity 
• Race (Caucasian women are at higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, but Black women are more likely to die due to Breast cancer)
• Personal history of uterine, ovarian, or colon cancer 

Know your family history: 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, so the likelihood of you knowing someone in your family with breast cancer is high. Approximately 5-10% of breast cancers are hereditary. It's important to know what family members had breast cancer and how old they were when they were diagnosed. Women with a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer have nearly twice the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer as a woman who has no family history. 

Get to know your breasts, risk factors and family history so you can take charge of your own health. If you ever have any concerns or questions about your breasts,  you should talk to your doctor to be evaluated.  

With love, 

Dr. Jodie horton

There is very little known about how the chemicals in feminine hygiene products affect the vulva and vagina. The vulva is the most sensitive and permeable area of your body because of the high concentration of sweat glands, hair follicles, and blood vessels. It's the most absorbent area on your body, so you want to avoid certain ingredients when looking for a feminine wash.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) are surfactants that act as detergents and foaming agents. They are commonly found in shampoos, body washes, intimate washes, toothpaste, and facial cleansers. SLS can be an irritant to skin, especially the vulva and vagina. The vagina has an acidic pH in contrast to some soaps that are alkaline. 

Now let's talk about soaps and parabens. Soaps can disrupt the balance of the vaginal flora and cause dryness. Parabens are preservatives found in cosmetic products, including feminine washes. They are known skin irritants, especially for those with sensitive skin. Perfumes and synthetic fragrances contain hundreds of chemicals. Fragrances are not necessary and are another potential source of skin dryness and irritation.

When it comes to feminine hygiene products, you want to look for natural or organic ingredients. 

Plant-based ingredients like aloe and calendula are good because they are pH balanced, soothing to the skin, and keep vulvar skin hydrated without causing altering the vaginal pH and disrupting the vaginal microbiome. 

Being mindful of what is in your products is important. The vulva and vagina should not smell like flowers or fruit. Simply washing the vulva and perineum (that area between the vagina and anus) with clean products and water should be enough. 

Remember, don’t overdo it and keep it simple!

With love, 

Dr. Jodie Horton

We are all aware that everything  you put in or on your body can affect your health. This also applies to your vaginal health, too!

The vagina has a very delicate ecosystem that has yeast and bacteria that co-exist harmoniously. Anything can disrupt this balance including your diet, hormones, sex, and feminine hygiene products to name a few.  

If you are someone who has frequent or recurrent vaginal infections, it can be difficult to pinpoint what are possible causes. If you're someone who suffers from frequent infections, it may be a good idea to keep a diary of how often you're getting an infection, timing of infection (after sex or menstrual period for example), and whether it's acute, chronic, or recurrent.  This may help narrow down possible causes and changes that need to be made to potentially decrease or eliminate vaginal infections.

If you have chronic vaginal infections, consider medications that you take regularly such as antibiotics, birth control, or other medications that may suppress your immune system like steroids. 

Also, keep in mind that there are vaginal irritants such as panty liners, spermicides, soaps, perfumes, and allergens like latex condoms, topical creams, semen, and chemical preservatives in products that can increase the risk of infections. Watch out for these!!

It may take a while to figure out possible causes but in the end, it may require simple changes to make the vagina happy.

With love, 

Dr. Jodie Horton

Abdominal pain doesn't always mean that your uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries are to blame. If you're interested in learning more, read my article What Might Be Causing Your Abdominal Pain after watching this video!

Birth control pills are made of two types of hormones called estrogen and progesterone. The drop in hormones causes the lining of the uterus to shed and cause bleeding. Over time, your period can change on the pill, causing your menstrual cycle to be lighter or different from before. Sometimes, you may have little or no bleeding at all. 

Here are some common reasons this can happen:

• Hormone levels: If the birth control pill has a higher dose of estrogen or has fewer placebo pills, it's possible to have spotting or no bleeding at all.
• Stress: Stress can affect a hormone-secreting part of the brain called the hypothalamus. It controls hormone regulation, and if it is not working properly, you may stop having your periods every month.
• Diet and exercise: A change in diet and excessive exercise can cause rapid weight loss. This can result in changes in hormones that will cause you to skip periods.
• Birth control: Some women choose to take birth control pills continuously. The active pills are taken for three months, followed by one week of placebo pills, so your period only comes four times a year. It is common to have infrequent periods with the progesterone-only IUD and depo-prove (Depo shot) too.
• Pregnancy: If you are sexually active and you missed or skipped your period, then you can take a home pregnancy test to see if you are pregnant

Missing your period while taking birth control can occur, and is no reason for panic! If your period continues to be irregular despite lifestyle changes, I would suggest you contact your doctor and have them look into what may be the case. 

With love, 

Dr. Jodie Horton

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