self-care isn't selfish

How To Take Care of Yourself After Divorce

SEXUAL HEALING: ORGASMS AS SELF CARE

A time-out from dating does not mean a time-out from sexual health. 

Orgasms release multiple hormones that can benefit mood, anxiety, immunity, sleep issues, and help maintain a strong pelvic floor. 

Decreased orgasms can be a problem for multiple reasons. There are physical, emotional, mental, and medical reasons, just to name a few. If you are having trouble with orgasms, know that you are not alone. This is a fairly common issue. Fortunately, there are many ways to address this, and sometimes, this issue needs to be addressed in multiple ways.

The first step in figuring out decreased orgasms is to meet with your doctor and review your medical history, your medications, and have a physical exam. It’s important to share any personal history of trauma that may be contributing to sexual function. Some patients may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy or sex therapy. Sometimes, a medication change can be the answer. other times, decreased orgasm or delay in reaching orgasm can be related to anatomical issues which may require a procedure to correct.
 
If orgasms continue to be decreased or muted despite these efforts, there are additional treatment options. When it comes to treating decreased orgasms, we focus on treatments that increase blood supply to the clitoris and vagina. There are over-the-counter products such as topical creams or lotions that contain ingredients that increase blood flow. There are oral medications, usually over-the-counter, to improve arousal and orgasm.
 
If these treatments fail to improve orgasm, there are additional options. Some of our favorites include the use of O-Shot/platelet-rich plasma, Carboxytherapy gel, and a one time in-office treatment.
 
Schedule a consultation to learn more about these options and whether or not they are right for you.
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WHICH VIBRATOR IS RIGHT FOR ME?

If you’re interested in toe-curling sex in the future, as well as reap the numerous benefits of experiencing orgasm, you may want to keep up with your sexual health – vibrators and clitoral stimulators can be helpful for this.

There are various types of vibrators to consider.

  • Bullet Vibrator: A good option for your first vibrator. Usually small and discreet, the bullet is a fantastic option for people who want a smaller vibrator for tight and tender vaginas or atrophic tissues. Some are very quiet too, so it’s a good option if you have roommates!
  • Classic Vibrator: A simple vibrator that comes in multiple sizes and usually has different intensities, speeds, and rates of vibration. The classic can be used for clitoral or vaginal stimulation.
  • Rabbit Vibrator: A Dr. Canter favorite! If you are more of an external clitoral stimulation type of person, you might like a rabbit vibrator that stimulates the clitoral area and the vagina at the same time. It also has different intensities and speeds for personal customization. P.S: it doesn’t actually look like a rabbit 🙂 
  • Remote Vibrator: These strap-on, wearable vibrator can be used externally during or without simultaneous vaginal sex. You can wear it under clothes and it can be a fun way to let your partner take the controller.

Note: Clitoral stimulation is an important way for many women to orgasm.  In fact, less than 20% of women will actually be able to have vaginal orgasms, so clitoral stimulation is key for most women. My favorite clitoral stimulators include:

  • Finger Vibrator: A fun vibrating ring that you or your partner could wear!
  • Clitoral Vibrator: Usually larger than a bullet but smaller than a classic vibrator, these are easier to hold for clitoral stimulation.
  • Clitoral Suction Vibrator: Think less vibrator but more of a suction sensation, with varying speeds and intensities.
SHOP VIBRATORS

DEALING WITH DRYNESS

Vaginal dryness is an issue that can affect women at any age.

Believe it or not, even pre-menopausal women can experience vaginal dryness. The most common time that a woman may experience vaginal dryness is in her peri-menopausal and menopausal years. You should know that many women struggle with these issues. Dr. Canter has even struggled with vaginal dryness, and she isn’t shy about talking about her secrets for good sex.
 
What is unfortunate, is that most women don’t recognize that if they don’t address the atrophic tissues early, it can become more difficult to treat once the atrophy has progressed. Fortunately, in this day and age, women are more open to speaking with their doctors about sexual function issues, and there are multiple treatment options.
Here’s a list of some of the most popular treatment options:
 
  • Vaginal moisturizers: including water-based moisturizers, hyaluronic acid-based moisturizers
  • Vaginal lubricants: including water-based lubricants, silicone-based lubricants 
  • Vaginal hormones: such as estrogen-based Fessional hormones and DHE a vaginal hormones. These can be FDA approved vaginal suppositories/tablets/creams/rings or compounded bio-identical creams
  • O-shot: your own platelet-rich plasma used to treat the vulvar and vaginal tissues. Not only has prp been used to improve vaginal and vulvar dryness, but it is also used to improve lichen sclerosis, urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction such as decreased libido/orgasm.
  • Carboxytherapy gel: Carboxytherapy consists of mixing two creams to produce carbon dioxide. As you know, carbon dioxide triggers a reaction in the body in which oxygen will be carried to the areas that are dense in carbon dioxide to deliver nutrients and remove the carbon dioxide. As a result, there’s improve blood flow to the area as well as remodeling of tissue.
  • Radio frequency: energy-based devices such as Viveve radio frequency can be used in combination with procedures like the Oshot in addition to the use of Carboxytherapy gel to treat some of the most atrophic tissues.
 

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Canter to learn more about these options, and find out which options are the best for you.

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