sex | Dr. Lori Gore-Green | Women's Health Professional

Preserving Your Mental Health During the Holidays

January 27, 2021 by Dr. Lori Gore-Green

The holidays may seem like the best time to be full of joy. Unfortunately, the holiday season is often the most stressful season for many people. Why? Consider the financial struggle of buying gifts and extra food, as well as the family drama that a lot of people deal with, and you have a recipe for disaster. If you are someone who deals with a lot of emotional stress over the holidays, there are ways for you to relax. Your mental health is essential, so consider the following tips the next time you feel your blood pressure rising!

Keep track of your spending

It’s easy to get carried away during the holidays when it comes to gifts and goodies. However, spending more than you can afford can cause you to feel anxious and stressed out. At the beginning of the season, figure out just how much you can spend when it comes to presents, food, traveling, and other holiday expenses. Stick to your budget to avoid the stress that overspending brings.

Watch your alcohol intake

Holiday parties and special occasions usually revolve around a lot of drinking! It’s easy to get sucked into another glass of alcoholic eggnog or a winter-themed beer, especially at a party or event. You may feel like you are suppressing some anxious feelings with alcohol, but alcohol is a depressant that can make stress and depression worse. Know your limits or abstain completely during this stressful time.

Think about the new year

Not everyone wants to leave the Christmas tree up all year, and that is perfectly okay! If you can’t wait until you can put the holiday behind you, keep in mind that it will soon be over. When you think about yourself in the future, past this particular holiday, it can be grounding. Remember, January isn’t too far off in the future!

Take some time for yourself

The holidays often revolve around parties, work, family, and activities. It can be exhausting at times, so make sure you take the time you need for yourself. Rest and recharge by practicing some self-care regimens, and you will likely feel much better about this stressful time. It’s essential to take a little bit of time every day to relax!

Improving Your Sex Drive After Childbirth

November 2, 2020 by Dr. Lori Gore-Green

A lot of women struggle with a diminishing sex drive after they’ve given birth. This usually is completely normal as their body has just gone through quite a few changes in a short period of time. Intimacy is an important part of a relationship, and many women are looking for ways to improve their sex life. Here are some ways that women can increase their sex drive after childbirth.

Use Lubrication

Some women struggle with lubrication after giving birth. They may also find that their vagina and vulva are inflamed and more sensitive. Using lubrication can make sex feel more comfortable. It can also improve a women’s sex drive as she won’t feel so apprehensive about the possibility of sex feeling painful.

Set A Date

A couple’s life changes dramatically once they bring a new child into the world. Because of this, it can be difficult to even think about having sex. Couples often forget about the needs of their partner as they are so focused on their new baby. Women can increase their sex drive by setting a date to have sex. This will help them to remember to make sex a priority.

Talk To Your Partner

Many women feel quite overwhelmed when they have an infant. With so much to do for the baby and the household, they may feel as if sex is just another chore that they have to do. If they are feeling this way, they need to talk to their partner about it. She should come up with ways that they can pitch in so that she doesn’t feel so overwhelmed with everything. By having a partner that helps take care of the needs of the baby and the household, a woman may feel inclined to have sex more often.

If you are struggling with your sex drive after childbirth, you aren’t alone. Be kind to yourself about it as your body just brought a new life into this world! If you are wanting to try to increase your sex drive, try some of the tips mentioned above. It might also be helpful to seek the advice of your doctor. They can help you determine if there is an underlying cause behind your low sex drive.

4 Signs Women Should Talk to Their Doctor About Painful Sex

March 26, 2020 by Dr. Lori Gore-Green

Sex might feel like a topic you rarely bring up, especially with a doctor, but it’s perfectly normal. Pain during sex might not be something you want to talk about at all, but sometimes it’s necessary and never something you should be ashamed of. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, three out of four women will experience pain during sex during their lives. The problem is common, especially during menopause, but there are signs you should talk to a doctor if they occur.

Lube Doesn’t Help

When sex gets uncomfortable, lubricants are typically the first line of defense. Vaginal dryness is a common cause of uncomfortable sex, so if lubricants aren’t helping, there may be different underlying cause, such as hormonal changes, medications, or stress, that your doctor is best suited to identify.

Pain is Accompanied By Bleeding

For some women, bleeding after sex is not uncommon for women who still get their periods. However, if the spotting or bleeding happens simultaneously with the pain, it can mean something more serious. Sexually transmitted diseases or vaginal trauma due to intense dryness can cause bleeding, so it’s best if you check in with a doctor to discover the cause and a solution.

Painful Urination

If burning or itching occurs when you urinate you may have a yeast infection or a common bacterial infection called bacterial vaginosis. While some infections can be treated with over the counter solutions, it’s always a good idea to consult a doctor first, especially if the infection requires a round of antibiotics.

Intense or Long-Lasting Pain

It can be tough to know when to contact a doctor, especially when pain is your only symptom. If you experience consistent discomfort or intense pain, it’s definitely time to talk to a physician. If your pain is also accompanied by trauma such as cuts or abnormal discharge, consult a doctor immediately. No matter your concern, it’s 100% okay to bring up your questions or concerns with a doctor at any time during the process.

Can You Safely Have Enjoyable Sex During Your Pregnancy?

April 30, 2018 by Dr. Lori Gore-Green

You probably already know that sex during pregnancy is typically safe. Myths surrounding pregnancy sex have died down over the last several decades, but there are still several things to note before carrying on with your pre-pregnancy intercourse habits.

There are only two major reasons why you shouldn’t have sex during pregnancy

First, we just want to establish that no, your baby cannot be poked by a penis during sex. Your baby won’t be able to feel you having sex and can’t be harmed by normal intercourse. There are only two reasons to avoid sex during pregnancy:

You don’t want to or don’t feel like having sex.
Your doctor has advised against intercourse during your pregnancy due to a medical reason, such as placenta previa or history of preterm labor.

How to enjoy sex during pregnancy: You might need to switch positions

Your favorite positions maybe become uncomfortable for you and your partner. You can alleviate this problem by changing positions. Many couples opt to use a spooning position because it’s more comfortable for the woman to lay on her side. Some couples find it easier and more enjoyable for the pregnant woman to remain on top during intercourse. If you’re having trouble getting comfortable during sex, do a little research about sex positions that work best for pregnant women – you’ll be surprised at the number of options you still have.

How to have safe sex during pregnancy

Do not have unprotected sex with new partners

Infections like Chlamydia and HIV can be transmitted to your baby and cause serious harm. Additionally, the Zika virus can be sexually transmitted. It’s always a good idea to use protection no matter who you engage in intercourse with, but it’s crucial to do so if you choose to have sex with someone new during pregnancy.

Get to all of your prenatal appointments

Your doctor will check you multiple times for STDs during your prenatal visits because many STDs are life-threatening if passed on to your baby during birth. go to all of your appointments and if you have the slightest suspicion you might have contracted an STD, inform your doctor immediately so that you can receive treatment before your baby is born.

When in doubt, talk to your doctor

If you have any concerns or lingering fears about sex during pregnancy, ask your doctor about whatever is bothering you. Don’t be embarrassed to bring up questions about sex – your doctor probably answers dozens of similar questions every day and will be more than happy to put your fears to rest.