As an FGM survivor, I am passionate about educating women about their bodies so that they can understand and be comfortable with their anatomy and sexuality, irrespective of their past. Because I know first hand the way in which traumatic experiences can affect the mind-body connection, I am keen to ensure that feminine wellness and support is a priority in the lives of those suffering with their intimate health and wellbeing.
Feminine wellness, which encompasses vaginal and pelvic health, unfortunately is still seen as a taboo topic. Understandably, it can be a sensitive and deeply personal subject, which can be very overwhelming if unaddressed, especially as we get older. However, with reliable information, trusted professional support and the personal intention to take care of ourselves, change and resolution is possible.
It’s important to point out that issues of stress incontinence, pelvic dysfunction, vaginal dryness and the changing of the labial and vaginal areas occur for different reasons. The ageing process plays a part in and can contribute to these changes.
It seems strange that children in schools are educated about sexual health and pregnancy, but what menopause is, and the way it affects womens bodies, is not a part of this educational process. This is concerning, however it explains the gaps of knowledge about menopausal health in society today.
Perimenopause literally means ‘around menopause’ and relates to the time which the body moves into the end of the reproductive years. Women start to transition into this phase at different times, and the experience varies for everyone. Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and postmenopause is diagnosed as 12 months after the last menstrual period.
According to research from Nuffield Healthone in four people with menopause symptoms are struggling to cope with their lives. With almost 13 million women in the United Kingdom either peri- or post-menopausal, and with associated symptoms sometimes lasting up to 15 years, these statistics are cause for concern.
Research has also shown that lack of medical knowledge in this area has led to many misdiagnoses, due to a misunderstanding of menopausal symptoms and the required treatment. Menopause can affect general mood and energy, and often women reporting low mood to their GP are prescribed anti depressants when this isn’t what they really need.
As well as affecting mood, menopause can impact cognitive capacity and memory, and with less estrogen produced the tissues of the vulva and vaginal lining may become thinner, drier, and less flexible.
When it comes to the ageing process, there is often so much emphasis on the face and skin that the more sensitive feminine areas are neglected, as many of us forget the vagina is also affected as we mature.
However, it’s not just the ageing process that can impact our bodies; women can also experience issues following pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy and childbirth feminine issues can be wide spanning, from vaginal dryness, soreness, changes in sex drive and altered sexual experience including pain during sex, to scar tissue and urinary incontinence.
Feminine issues can have a ripple effect, and affect the men and partners of those experiencing the peri-menopause and menopause too. Children are also affected by what goes on in the house and family unit, and therefore it’s important to talk about any issues in an age appropriate manner to help them understand. Communication and honesty is key here to ensure family cohesiveness.
Understanding what is going on with your body is incredibly important. Ultimately understanding brings choice about the options available, whether this is treatment, or simply changes you want to make within your day to day life.
If treatments are the way you choose to go, Forma V (Votiva)by InMode (available at KP Aesthetics) is a safe treatment using radio frequency to tighten and strengthen the vaginal muscles. Desiral is a treatment to improve hydration of the vagina and Desiral Plus is a treatment for the labia. Labia’s are there to protect delicate internal anatomy, and so if the cushion starts to wither (with age) it is not protecting your body the way it is meant to.
Feminine health and wellbeing doesn’t have to be a part of your life surrounded by shame, instead it is something that millions of others are experiencing every day, just like you, and you deserve support. Investing in your health, by gathering the information and resources you need to feel fully yourself is a way to ensure you get what you need, when you need it.
To find out more contact Khatra at KP Aesthetics Clinic
About Our Guest Contributor: Khatra Paterson
Prior to opening my own clinic, I delivered non-surgical cosmetic treatments in various settings for over 12 years, taking advanced professional masterclasses along the way to develop my skills. I have been fortunate enough to have learned from the best in the industry, and I continue to do so as techniques and products are forever changing. I trained as a nurse and spent many years working in the NHS before specialising in aesthetics, and by being a prescriber I am qualified to use prescription only treatments. I am a member of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses, the Aesthetic Complication Expert Group and I am registered with the NMC. I am also fully insured with Hamilton Fraser.
Khatra