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Top Questions Men Have About Women's Sexual Health

By Hannah Cutts September 19, 2010 - 8:09pm
 
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I recently distributed a survey online to find out what questions MEN have regarding women’s health. Below are the top 3 issues that men were curious about, as well as very brief responses. Women – send your guys friends/male partners here for Women’s Health 101! And feel free to add your own answers to their questions as well! Let’s be honest – most of them need all the help they can get.

Question #1: Anatomy
My girlfriend says that when she pushes deeply on her bellybutton she can feel pain in her vagina. Similarly, when I thrust deeply, she feels a twinge in her bellybutton. Is there any relationship between the bellybutton and the vagina?

Answer: Although most diagrams of female sexual organs exclude this detail, there IS tissue connecting the belly button and reproductive organs, left over from our days spent in the uterus. Because fetuses receive nutrients from/expel waste through the umbilical cord during their development, there is a tube that connects our bladder to our bellybutton, (a vestige of the umbilical cord) which doesn’t completely disappear after birth.

In our adult bodies, this tissue helps to make up the bladder wall, feeding directly into the female prostate. This is also known as the G-spot or the Trigone area (or T-spot), a spot between the bladder wall and the vagina with nerves that feed down into the bladder, uterus, vagina, clitoris, labia, etc. (For more explanation and a diagram of this anatomy, visit: http://www.a-womans-touch.com/sex_counselor.php?articleID=3065) Thus, it is possible that pressure on the bellybutton from certain angles may be felt in the vaginal canal, and vice versa – pressure on the bladder wall from the inside may create sensations felt in the belly button.

Question #2: Birth Control
Does the hormonal balance caused by birth control pills sometimes result in the side effect of painful intercourse?

Answer: Yes, any time a woman alters the natural levels of hormones in her body, it is possible that she will also experience side effects, ranging from weight gain to mood swings to nausea to decreased sex drive.

 
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We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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Anonymous

Birth control pills have side effects that can lower sex drive. It can cause vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse. Hence, there are herbal remedies being use as sex drive enhancers. Found here http://www.sexualhealthcare.net/men’s-sexual-health/how-to-naturally-increase-libido/ some herbal supplements that are effective natural way to treat sex problems.

October 11, 2010 - 5:30pm
Hannah Cutts (reply to Anonymous)

I appreciate that you shared this link, but I wonder if your diagnoses of the situation is slightly confused.

While it is absolutely true that birth control can lower sex drive, it normally effects the libido of the woman who is using the product, not her male partner. Strategies that will help boost a man's libido are certainly important to a sexual relationship, but probably won't play a role in counteracting vaginal dryness or pain during intercourse.

What do you think?

October 12, 2010 - 4:38pm
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Anonymous

Are products with herbal extracts good to help tighten the vagina? My boyfriend said my vagina is a more loose fit than other girldfriends now I feel like I can't satisfy him.. I found it here http://tighteningthevagina.com/vagina-tightening-cream-intivar-review is this type of thing good to help tighten?

September 19, 2011 - 10:16pm
Hannah Cutts (reply to Anonymous)

Dear Anonymous,

Thanks for posting and asking this question - lots of women have similar concerns. I have 2 messages for you:

1. Instead of paying a lot of money for a questionable artificial product, I recommend you practice doing some kegels - exercises that strengthen your pelvic floor. (Look it up - there are some fantastic EmpowHER articles written about them!) By allowing you to locate and activate your pelvic floor muscles, kegels will have the same effect as "tightening" your vagina. Furthermore, learning how to squeeze these muscles can enhance your partner's and your own pleasure during intercourse.

2. Your body is perfect the way it is, and any partner who makes you feel ashamed for its size, shape, level of elasticity, etc. may not be worth your time. Women's vaginas come in all shapes and sizes (which change over time!) and this diversity does not affect your capacity to be an amazing lover.

So give yourself some love! Let me know if you have any questions.

September 20, 2011 - 10:58am
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