Can WaterWorks Help With Vaginal Discharge in Addition to Vaginal Odor?

This week the question is:

“I know WaterWorks helps with vaginal odor, but I have a lot of discharge, will it help me with that too?”

It seems kind of funny, but problems with vaginal odor and discharge seem way too embarrassing to bring up over lunch with the girls, even though in my experience, based on what I hear safely behind closed exam room doors, it's one of the most common problems women have. Maybe it would be good to know that the women closest to us suffer too.

Because vaginal odor can be caused by an imbalance of the normal bacterial flora in the vagina, odor and discharge often go hand in hand. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections can both be culprits of recurrent odor and discharge.

Unlike store bought douches which contain chemicals that can make the situation worse by destroying that normal ecosystem WaterWorks uses of only tap water for vaginal cleansing, so it can be used every time you shower without causing any adverse effects. In fact, by using WaterWorks, a healthy balance can be created as the abnormal discharge and bacteria are removed and normal vaginal pH can be restored.

This is best seen by using WaterWorks to rinse out semen after sex. What is really happening has to do with the composition of the semen, which is a sugary, alkaline substance created to protect the sperm from the acidic environment of the vagina. If not for this, the sperm would die on contact with the vagina and no one would ever get pregnant. After sex, semen remains inside and if you have sex again within a day or two, it gives the vagina no time to restore the normal flora that creates the acidic environment. Once this happens there can be persistent discharge and odor that reoccurs.

So back to the question as to whether WaterWorks helps to eliminate vaginal discharge with the odor, the answer is yes. We have many women writing in and telling us how much they love WaterWorks. The WaterWorks system is a reusable vaginal cleansing system that has been FDA cleared for vaginal odor and it is the reaction of the stainless steel nozzle end that is designed to comfortably insert into the vagina, with ordinary tap water that eliminates or reduces the unpleasant odor.

The unique design and gentle sprinkling action will rinse unwanted discharge and semen from the vagina and help facilitate the natural healing process of your own body. No chemicals and no medications. What a wonderful gift to every woman.

Oh, and just for the sake of any curious readers, I do not receive commission from any of the WaterWorks that are sold, so there is no monetary incentive for me in telling you about it. I was just so excited when I discovered WaterWorks and met the inventor, because now women had a natural way to combat feminine odor and discharge without having to use chemicals or medications. All natural. What could be better than this?

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Can Ovarian Cysts Cause Vaginal Discharge?

Vaginal discharge can be a perplexing problem. Especially when you know something has changed, but all your tests at the doctor's office are negative for an infection. It's not always explained or even obvious why we are having changes, and most of the time the symptoms come and go - so it can be confusing.

Many women know that ovarian cysts can cause pain but do not realize that they can cause all sorts of other symptoms. Not sure why you're having low pelvic pain and pressure? Suffering an increase in vaginal discharge? Maybe you are experiencing symptoms of ovarian cysts.

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs on the ovary that are a result of ovulation. Each month, a woman produces many follicles, which are fluid-filled cysts that the egg matures in. These (and most ovarian cysts) are benign and harmless. Most cysts are a direct result of ovulation, and therefore very common. Thankfully, most cysts resolve themselves without intervention.

Once a single ovarian follicle ruptures and "pops" out the egg, all the rest of the maturing follicles from that cycle should shrink back and dissolve. But, sometimes one or more do not do this and, in fact, they keep growing. They have been known to get larger than a baseball! If this ruptures, it can cause internal bleeding and extreme pain. When a cyst ruptures, the pain can be so severe that many women pass out.

Most women will have an ovarian cyst at some point, but won't even know it exists because most of them are painless. They simply swell up, then leak the fluid back into your bloodstream on their own. There are other types of benign cyst that occur but it is impossible to know whether a cyst is benign or cancerous by how you feel. That is why it is important to see your doctor for blood tests and an ultrasound to determine if it needs to be removed or has malignant qualities.

The following symptoms could indicate the presence of ovarian cysts:

• Constant pain. Take note of when you experience pain. Is it cyclical? Are you experiencing pain during the first half of your menstrual cycle, but it goes away just after the time you should be ovulating? If so, you may have a follicular cyst, which is considered a harmless, functional cyst. Do you experience pain in the latter half of your cycle? You may have a corpus luteum cyst, which is also related to ovulation, is also benign and is considered functional. But, if the pain is persistent and not cyclical, it's a good idea to get it checked out sooner rather than later.

• Both benign and malignant cysts can grow to be very large. They may place pressure on internal organs and cause you discomfort and pain with sex.

• Larger cysts can also place pressure on your bladder or colon. This leads to frequent trips to the bathroom. Large cysts can also obstruct the colon, causing narrow stools. Hormone-producing cysts can cause an increase in vaginal discharge and menstrual irregularities, such as spotting. Because cysts sit very close to the opening of the fallopian tube, they can discharge blood or fluid as they drain, and it will run down through the intrauterine cavity, through the cervix and into the vagina.

Most ovarian cysts resolve on their own with little or no pain and will go undetected. But it is always best to have your doctor check you if you are having any of these symptoms. Vaginal discharge can disrupt the normal vaginal flora and actually bring on more bacterial and yeast infections. WaterWorks is a great system to use to maintain feminine hygiene and clear any abnormal discharge or odor. It works best when added to you regular hygiene regime and used at least 3-4 times a week.

I hope this helps you understand your body better. Take care and be safe. Thanks for all your questions. It helps others when you ask your questions, because we are all learning and experiencing the same things.

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What is the Difference Between an STD and STI and How Can You Prevent Them?

Essentially, they represent almost the same thing. STD is an abbreviation for a Sexually Transmitted Disease and STI is an abbreviation for a Sexually Transmitted Infection. The best way to describe the difference between an STI and an STD is that you can have an infection without having any symptoms; however once symptoms appear, it becomes an STD.

STIs, like many infections,can be passed from one person to another, even when there are no symptoms. Examples include Herpes, HIV, HPV and Hepatitis. A mother can pass these to her infant through childbirth and breastfeeding when she is unaware of being infected. Other infections such as the flu, common cold and mononucleosis, can also be transmitted during sex from oral contact and kissing, but would not be considered to be 'sexually transmitted infections'.

It’s important to know that just having sex won't necessarily give you an STD or an STI. You have to have sexual relations with another person who is infected in order to receive the infection. Also, if a person is treated for a STD/STI and returns to the same sexual partner they can become re-infected if their partner has not been treated. So if you get an STD/STI it is important that your partner be checked and treated as well.

So how do you protect yourself from contracting an STD/STI?

Prevention through avoiding exposure is the best strategy for controlling the spread of STIs. We know that protected vaginal and anal intercourse carries the highest risks for the most dangerous sexually transmitted infections. Abstaining from sex is the only way to be 100% confident of avoiding Sexually Transmitted Infections but let's get real! If abstinence is not an option, then condoms, used properly, can reduce your risk  significantly. Condoms be used with each act of sexual intercourse. But even this practice not completely eliminate the risk of transmission of STIs. Condoms can fail, slip off, be punctured, or break down from spermacides or lubricants. In the best conditions, they provide great protection against HIV and Gonorrhea, but are less effective against Genital Herpes and Chlamydia. They provide no protection from HPV.

Nearly everyone has taken risks sexually, but please beware of the potential consequences which can impact your health and the course of your life. Many STDs can last a lifetime, put stress on relationships, cause sterility or birth defects and even lead to major illness and death. Know the risks! Sexually Transmitted Infections are not all transmitted the same way.

Unprotected Vaginal and Anal sex can lead to the transmission of:
-trichamonas
-gonorrhea
-chlamydia
-syphylis
-pubic lice, Hep B, HPV,HSV,HIV

Unprotected oral sex can lead to the transmission of:
-gonorrhea
-chamydia
-syphilis
-Hep B, HSV, HPV

Even sexual play without intercourse can lead to the transmission of:
-HSV,HPV
-pubic lice
-gonorrhea
-chlamydia
-trichamonas

The most important thing to remember is to take care of yourself, and if you feel that something isn't right, make an appointment with your doctor.

Always be safe when it comes to your health.

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Still a Virgin. Do I Still Need to See a Gynecologist Yearly?

The yearly exam is a time to screen for overall health, and keep up on any changes that may be occurring. For a lot of women their gynecologist may be the only doctor they see on a regular basis, so this makes it even more important.

For some women who are still virgins, coming in every other year may be OK, if their gynecologist agrees and if they have normal pap smears. But few women fit into this category.Most gynecologists recommend that a young woman, regardless of whether or not she has engaged in sexual activity, should establish care with her doctor no later than 18-21 years of age. There are many reasons to see your gynecologist.

Many women have a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer and need to be followed more closely. Their family history may require that they have special tests at specific intervals or start testing earlier, than someone with no family history.

Others, regardless of whether you're a virgin, may have menstrual pain or irregularities that need to be looked into. Ultrasounds to screen for ovarian cysts or cancer can be a helpful screening tool for this, or to evaluate abnormalities like PCO (polycystic ovarian syndrome). PCO is a syndrome of symptoms that can be distressing and cause many health problems, like abnormal hair growth, insulin resistance, and irregular menstrual cycles due to difficulty with ovulation.

Still others among you may have pain with your cycles that interfere with your ability to work or go to school and need special care and treatment. Causes can include endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and all of these can interfere with future fertility.

It is important for all women, even if you decide to remain a virgin, to come in on a yearly basis to maintain a quality relationship with your gynecologist and keep up on all your important health issues.

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What does HPV and Dysplasia mean, for me?

Dear KnowYourV,
I just got the results of my pap smear back and it showed 'high risk HPV with mild to moderate dysplasia'. I'm worried because someone told me HPV is an STD and that dysplasia is pre-cancerous."

Well, Vanessa let's back up a little bit. First of all, the reason you come in once a year for your pap is to screen for cervical cancer. And since so many more women do get tested yearly now, we rarely see advanced cases of cervical cancer like they saw years ago.

These days, if a woman has an abnormal pap, we do repeat paps or biopsies immediately to evaluate the cervical tissue. If necessary, any abnormal tissue with HPV can be removed so healthy tissue can grow in its place. This way, dysplasia or high risk HPV never have a chance to progress to a cancerous condition.

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is transferred through sexual contact and belongs to the wart family. It can show up as visible genital warts or flat 'invisible' kind that can cause cervical cancer. Men harbor it in their semen and women carry it in their cervical tissue and cervical/vaginal fluids.

There are two types of HPV: 'low risk’ and ‘high risk'. High risk is the one reported on pap smears and is responsible for cervical Cancer. It can also cause penile cancer, anal cancer, vulvar cancer and oral cancer. Therefore, it can be transferred though anal sex and oral sex as well.

It's possible to get HPV from your first sexual partner and not know you have it. There are no symptoms and it can lay dormant for years. Just like the herpes virus, it may erupt during times of stress or during pregnancy. When HPV begins to flare up, it causes cellular changes in the tissues. When your pap specimen is taken, the cells are looked at under a microscope and the clinician can see the HPV infection and any affects it is having upon your cervix.

Dysplasia is not cancer; it is not even pre-cancer. It is only a descriptive name given to tissue at a certain point in time so that it can be compared with another point in time to note changes. With dysplasia, the terms ‘mild’, ‘moderate’ and ‘severe’ are used, and then it may go to cancer. Most of these changes take several years to happen, and most women choose some form of treatment long before cancer would become an issue.

What about the men? That's what women worry about when they find out they have HPV - shouldn't the men be tested too? Unfortunately, it doesn't do much good, because HPV is in their semen, and there is no way to treat them. They are not at risk for cancer the same as we are.

Fortunately, the new HPV vaccine, which can be given starting at age 8 to boys and girls, should start making a huge impact in the future.

The most important thing is keep getting your pap smears on a regular basis. Over 75% of the U.S. population has HPV, and it is as high as 85% worldwide. So, you are definitely not alone in this. It is a battle we've been working hard to win, and the vaccine is one step along with regular pap tests.

As I've told you, one of the best things you can do daily to help yourself feel fresh and clean is use the new WaterWorks feminine cleansing system. This is so wonderful because it can be used when you shower, and does not require special formulas or chemicals - just plain tap water. And, it can be used more than once a day. Most women will use it right after sex to rinse out semen, which helps them feel clean and fresh right away. Plus this can also immediately rinse away any semen infected with HPV or other STDs. This is important, since a woman's body acts like a little incubator for bacteria or viruses. That is why so many women love using their WaterWorks - it gives them confidence and they feel they are working towards better health with better hygiene. Plus WaterWorks is FDA cleared for vaginal cleansing to remove unwanted odor with or without discharge.

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Sex and your well-being

Many women have asked me about the benefits of sex in relation to health and well-being. Well, it turns out there has been a lot of scientific research done to give us some insight into this.

Studies done in the U.S. and England have revealed that couples who have sex at least 2 times a week had significantly lower stress levels. This was monitored by putting participants into highly stressful situations like public speaking or intense exercise and the checking their diastolic blood pressure and catecholamine levels afterward. The couples having more frequent sex showed better levels. Hmmm, interesting.

Sex also boosts the immune system. The same studies also found that having sex at least 2 times per week helps boost the amount of immunoglobulin in your bloodstream. This helps combat colds, flu viruses and other illnesses.

Sex can also be a great way to burn calories. A recent study showed that thirty minutes of sex burns 85 calories or more. It may not sound like much, but it adds up! Every little bit helps; plus, this exercise is enjoyable. 42 thirty minute sessions will burn 3,570 calories, so burning off those pounds may be within reach after all! In addition, lowered stress and lowered weight can lead to a reduction in cardiovascular disease. Amazingly, this reduction can be quite significant. The study in men actually showed that, when they had sex two times or more a week, there was a reduction in the risk of fatal heart attack by ½ as compared to those who had sex less than once a month.

Isn’t this interesting? Who would have thought sex could have so many positive health benefits
The studies also found that frequency of ejaculations in men in their 20’s correlated with reduction of prostate cancer later in life. The number of partners didn’t matter, but 5 or more ejaculations a week in the 20’s reduced prostate cancer by 1/3. Another study showed that 21 ejaculations or more per month in elderly men (as opposed to 4-7) was also linked to lower rates of prostate cancer.

And listen ladies, the more orgasms we have, the stronger it makes our pelvic floor muscles, which helps bladder control and frequency issues, especially as we get older. If your pelvic floor muscles are stronger, then you have better bowel control and are better able to hold back gas at those crucial times, oohhlaalaa! The stronger the muscles the stronger the orgasms, too.

During sex we release a very strong hormone called oxytocin. This is the hormone that gives us all the warm, loving feelings. Women release it during labor and when breast-feeding, and it helps them bond with their babies and make breast milk. They have found that when people are given this hormone, they are able to tolerate pain better, and that is why many of us find our headaches, PMS, and arthritis pain improve after sex. Oxytocin also improves our self-esteem, and that’s why having sex makes us feel better about ourselves. It has been called the love hormone, and because of that, having sex can improve intimacy and help us learn to bond and trust. When couples were tested for higher levels, they were shown to be more loving and generous to each other.

The last thing which I think we all know already, is loving sex promotes good sleep. What a surprise.

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What should I know about HPV, human papilloma virus, and what are its signs and symptoms?

Dear KnowYourV,  

What should I know about HPV, human papilloma virus, and what are its signs and symptoms?" 

This has become one of the most commonly asked questions recently, since HPV is a sexually transmitted virus and the #1 cause of cervical cancer worldwide.

As women come in for their annual exams and pap smears, questions arise about HPV testing and detection. Infections by genital HPV are very common. In fact, over 70% of people who are sexually active will contract the virus at some point in their lives. Yet many will not know it because they will not have any symptoms.

Whether or not symptoms occur has to do with the type of HPV, and there are more than 100 types of this virus. Some types of HPV are associated with genital warts, either visible or flat and not visible. Other types of HPV are associated with cervical and other cancers, with no warts nor other noticeable symptoms. Still more common forms of HPV produce warts on other parts of your body like your hands and feet. Many people who get genital HPV will clear it spontaneously over time, however, the longer it stays in your body (and depending on which type of HPV you have), the higher the risk for cervical, anal or oral cancer.

Since HPV infections are contracted through sexual contact, many women have concerns about their current partner and how to find out when they contracted the virus. Women in monogamous relationships who have tested positive for HPV worry about re-infection from their partner, if their partner is positive, or protecting a negative partner.

For most women, it is an abnormal pap smear that first alerts them to a positive HPV test. Like most viruses, HPV has an incubation period, and it is possible to be infected with the virus even years earlier, only to have it lay dormant. During times of stress to the body, either emotional or physical, the HPV can re activate, just like we experience with cold sores or acne outbreaks.

As I've explained previously, the prevalence of HPV and its dormant period can make it impossible to know who the infection originated from – a current partner or a previous one. We can contract it during our first sexual experience and it may not be detected until years later on a pap smear.

Concerns about HPV are increasing, as they are now finding oral and throat cancer on the rise due to viral infections from oral sex . There has also been recent publicity about celebrities that have battled throat and anal cancer.

HPV has become the most important reason for women to come in for their annual exams and pap smears. Also, good dentists will screen for any suspicious or HPV-type oral lesions during your routine exams. Thankfully, most gynecologists now report that cervical cancer has been on the decline in America due to early detection of High Risk HPV.

Women tend to be at an increased risk as their bodies tend to function as incubators for such viruses when semen is deposited. So, it is best to get up after sex and rinse out that semen with the amazing WaterWorks System. It may look and act like a douche but works nothing like it. It is completely reuseable, and uses only natural tap water, no chemicals. The stainless steel nozzle coupled with the downward gentle sprinkling action of the water makes it unique. The stainless steel reacts with the water and vaginal wall to remove unwanted odor, and the gentle sprinkling action of the water cleans and rinses out any remaining semen. This has helped so many women feel cleaner, fresher and odor-free without the use of medication or douching, which can be harmful to the natural environment of the vagina.

So keep up the good work, stay healthy, eat right and get out there and move your muscles around. You will start to feel much better.

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