• Understanding Vaginal Anatomy and Physiology

To nurture your vaginal health, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of its anatomy and physiological processes. The vagina is a muscular canal that connects the uterus to the external genitalia. Hormonal influences, such as estrogen, play a crucial role in maintaining vaginal health, affecting its elasticity, lubrication, and the thickness of vaginal tissues. The delicate balance of the vaginal microbiome, which consists of various beneficial bacteria, contributes to a healthy vaginal environment.

• Prioritizing Hygiene Practices

The vagina should be considered as a self-cleaning organ. So if you feel that you must rinse the vagina, just use plain water. Avoid using any soaps or douches that can disrupt the natural balance of the vagina. Also avoid “feminine hygiene” wipes and washes that claim to freshen or reduce odor. These can also increase the risk of redness and irritation. 

To ensure optimal comfort and well-being, consider the following tips:

• Wear breathable underwear: Opt for cotton underwear that allows for proper airflow and moisture absorption, reducing the risk of irritation.
• Practice proper wiping techniques: When using the toilet, wipe from front to back to prevent the transfer of bacteria from the anus to the vagina.
• Avoid harsh chemicals: Refrain from using scented products, including perfumes, lotions, or intimate sprays, as they can cause irritation and disrupt the vaginal pH balance.

Promoting Sexual Health and Comfort

Sexual health is an integral part of overall well-being. Consider the following tips to support sexual health and comfort:

• Effective communication: Openly discuss your desires, boundaries, and concerns with your partner to ensure a healthy and fulfilling sexual relationship.
• Practicing safe sex: Use barrier methods, such as condoms, to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Addressing vaginal dryness and discomfort: If experiencing vaginal dryness or discomfort, consider using water-based lubricants to enhance comfort during sexual activity. For those with pelvic pain or tightness, vaginal dilators under the guidance of a healthcare professional may provide therapeutic benefits.
  

Embracing Self-Care and Emotional Well-being

Vaginal health extends beyond physical care; it also encompasses emotional well-being. Consider the following practices to support your emotional well-being:

• Stress management: Engage in stress-reducing activities such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to promote emotional well-being.
• Practicing self-care: Take time for yourself and engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. This can include hobbies, spending time in nature, or enjoying a warm bath.
• Embracing self-acceptance: Celebrate and embrace your body, including your vaginal health. Remember that every woman’s experience is unique, and it’s important to focus on self-acceptance and self-love.

Taking proactive steps to understand and nurture your vaginal health is an empowering journey toward optimal comfort and well-being. By prioritizing hygiene practices, supporting a balanced vaginal microbiome, promoting sexual health, and embracing self-care, you can unlock the full potential of a fulfilling and confident life.

At BioMoi, we are committed to providing you with the knowledge and tools to support your vaginal health journey. By integrating practical tips and empowering information, we hope this article has added value to your life. Remember, your vaginal health matters, and by investing in it, you’re investing in your overall well-being.

For more in-depth guidance on maintaining vaginal health or to explore BioMoi’s innovative products designed to enhance comfort and well-being, visit our website or reach out to our knowledgeable team. Let’s embark on this journey together and prioritize the nurturing of your vaginal health. Shop Now!

The post Nurturing Vaginal Health: Tips for Maintaining Optimal Comfort and Well-being first appeared on BioMoi.

Dr. Neysa Whiteman, cofounder of BioMoi

As we mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, it is important to acknowledge the significant contributions of women in the field of science and technology. We also interview Dr. Whiteman, the founder of BioMoi™. In this interview, Dr. Whiteman discusses her journey as a woman in science and the importance of women’s health.
In addition to discussing the importance of women’s representation in science, Dr. Whiteman also touched upon the critical role that women’s health plays in the overall well-being of society. She explained how her work at BioMoi is focused on addressing the unique health needs of women, and how this can have a positive impact on the health of future generations.

Get to know Dr Whiteman
Dr. Neysa Whiteman is a Board-Certified Ob/Gyn with a strong history of practice in women’s health. She trained in Los Angeles at UCLA, USC and Kaiser, and joined a practice in Orange County in 1984 to practice Obstetrics and Gynaecology. In 1990 she moved to San Diego and limited her practice to gynaecology. Viewing herself as an advocate for women, Dr. Whiteman enjoys working to solve women health care concerns during the different phases of life. In the past few years, she has become especially concerned with menopause and the vaginal changes it can cause. With so many advances in that arena, it is particularly rewarding to be able to help women improve their sexual life.

Questions:

How did your journey in science start?
My mother was a pediatrician and my father was an engineer. When I was young my father would take me to the Natural History Museum and The Science and Industry Museum in Exposition Park in Los Angeles while my mother was making rounds in the hospital on the weekends. I was fascinated and I loved reading books about animals and plants. Ultimately I graduated with a Zoology BS from UCLA and Medical Degree from USC. I went on to do training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and I am Board Certified.

What made you pick the field of female sexual health?
I have always been interested in female sexual health. As a gynecologist, I am the first stop for women who complain of dyspareunia, (painful intercourse) or problems with libido or orgasm. I was also doing a lot of work with menopause and hormone replacement and many of those complaints go together. I enjoyed being able to help women find more enjoyment in their sexual relationships.

Are there any other fields you have experimented with?
I was active in the field of genetics when genetic testing was first being used to identify women with familial breast cancer- BRCA 1 and BRCA 2. That soon became “MyRisk” testing. I had the privilege of working with several women with breast cancer who had been experiencing vaginal symptoms as a result of low estrogen levels or Arimidex, an estrogen blocker. It was a rewarding experience to be able to help these women during a challenging time in their lives.

What work have you done as an advocate for women?
I went to lobby on Capitol Hill with ACOG, American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, several times to advocate for Women’s Health Issues. For example, prolonging mandated postpartum insurance coverage from 6 weeks to one year. I walked for Women’s Reproductive Rights. I am a supporter of Planned Parenthood and worked there in the past.

What advice would you give to young women who are wanting to work in science?
Work really hard! Understand at the outset- it is not a 9-5 endeavor.

In your opinion, which changes are needed in the scientific system to be more attractive to women in science and possible future scientists?
There is a long history of inequity for women in the workplace both in pay, numbers and in respect. Now, there are more and more women physicians and scientists. A lot has been done to make positive changes in the workplace. For example, scheduling can make allowances for women to be pregnant, parent, and still continue their training and practices. But there is still a long way to go.

What is your biggest achievement in your field?
Providing healthcare to women- their daughters, their mothers and their friends. And being trusted with women’s most intimate secrets and concerns.

What was it that encouraged the idea of BioMoi?
There are a few things that gynecologists use and recommend inserting in the vagina. In the arena of sexual health we decided that adding Silver antimicrobial product into the production of the dilators would make women feel safer when using them and make them easier to clean.

Did you have any role models that influenced your decision to work in science?
My mother was a pediatrician and many of her friends were also women in medicine at a time when there were few women physicians. It was a natural choice. I spent a lot of my childhood with my mother when she made rounds in the hospital. Back then the nurses were happy to watch me and there was always egg custard!

What is the most common issue you have seen in women’s health?
Women’s health is an important issue that involves a wide range of concerns, from reproductive rights and access to healthcare to sexual health and wellness. While some challenges, such as the repeal of Roe v. Wade, have had a significant impact, it is important to remember that there are also many positive developments and resources available to support women’s health and well-being.
Additionally, I have witnessed common issues regarding access to information, it is important to have a universal approach towards women’s health that includes various aspects such as contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, vaginal and bladder infections, menopause changes, and risk and benefits of hormone replacement therapies.

Dr. Whiteman’s insights and achievements serve as a reminder of the valuable contributions women and girls make in the field of science, and the importance of encouraging and supporting their participation in the industry.
We hope that this blog has not only highlighted the brilliant work of Dr. Whiteman, but has also inspired readers to take action in promoting gender equality in science.

Dr. Whiteman’s BioMoi Vaginal Dilators

The post International Day of Women and Girls in Science first appeared on BioMoi.

Self-Care is Important & Unique To You

You can’t pour from an empty glass. Intellectually, that’s a concept we can understand. It’s a concept that is easy to try to explain to other people. It’s a little more difficult to really apply this idea to everyday life, though. You’re in high demand. You have a lot on your plate. But your physical and mental health are legitimate needs. Self-care is a need, not a want. It’s not something to do “when there’s time.” There won’t ever be time unless you make time.

It’s also not something to do just because someone else is doing it. Meaning, it’s super common to identify self-care using someone else’s definition. Your friend takes a bath with candles, soft music, and essential oils? That doesn’t mean baths are necessarily the best way for you to unwind. Your partner runs every morning? That doesn’t mean running is necessarily the best way for you to prepare for the day. Making self-care one more thing you don’t really want to do that you can eventually cross off your daily list is clearly counterproductive. Self-care is supposed to help ease stress and anxiety, not create it. What makes you feel relaxed? Listening to music? Walking in nature? Reading a book? Seeing a movie by yourself or with friends? Make a list of all the things that help you get your mind off of the daily grind, then make a point to do at least one relaxing thing each day. Time with family and friends, good conversations, having a good laugh—these are also simple ways that we can allow ourselves to actually enjoy ourselves.

Self-care isn’t only about doing something. Sometimes, self-care is about not doing something. This International Self-Care Day, you may want to start the day by creating a list of things you no longer want to do—things that are making it excessively difficult for you to unwind, for example. Consider turning off your phone at night or not checking emails past a certain time. Work on not feeling obligated to say “yes” to everyone who asks something of you.

Check in on Your Physical Health

Let’s not forget one of the most important ways to take care of yourself: your physical health. While you’re setting up appointments for your aging parent or your kids, or reminding your partner to see the doctor, check in with yourself about how you’re feeling also. If you’ve been extra lax on your own routine teeth cleanings, yearly physicals, annual breast exams, and regular gynecologist visits. Getting routine care back on track is incredibly valuable to your physical well-being. But in addition to those routine things, really consider how you’re actually feeling. Are your seasonal allergies under control? Might you need a new prescription for your contact lenses? How is your digestive system these days? How is your sex life? Chances are, you probably don’t have immediate answers to all of these questions. Take some time to think about them.

Take into Account Your Sex Life

Even though it may be a sensitive topic, most women value a good sex life yet relatively quickly dismiss issues as “not a big deal” or “one of those things that come with age.” These are things we tell ourselves to normalize something that isn’t normal. Healthy sex (with a partner or by yourself) is not only a fun way to spend time, but it has also been proven to significantly reduce anxiety. When sexual activities are not fun, it creates or exacerbates anxiety symptoms. Painful or uncomfortable sex, while common for many reasons, is not normal and should not be treated as such. You deserve pleasurable sex! Talk to your doctors about your symptoms, so they can get you on the track to taking back your sex life.

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may suggest vaginal dilation therapy. There are numerous reasons for painful intercourse, but if you’re free of infection or any other serious medical condition, it’s possible that vaginal dilation can get you on the road to better sex. Whether your issues are psychological, physical, or both, vaginal dilators can help retrain your body and mind into enjoying vaginal touch and pressure. Dilators are shaped like tampons and come in different sizes. You start small and gradually move up sizes as vaginal capacity and elasticity increase. They can even help stimulate natural lubrication and blood flow. Whether you’ve recently had a baby, which can weaken your pelvic floor (the supportive muscles surrounding the uterus), you’ve recently had surgery or cancer treatment, are experiencing menopausal symptoms, or anything in between, this International Self-Care Day, make a point to talk to your doctor about getting the most out of your sex life. Your needs are important—on July 24 and every day.

The post Check in With Yourself on International Self-Care Day first appeared on BioMoi.

Healthy Sex Life Provides Numerous Physical Health Benefits

A healthy sex life does a lot more than make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, however. People often underestimate the physical health benefits associated with it. For one thing, regular sexual activity and frequent orgasm help ensure that your body will physically be able to have both again in the future. Jumping in bed with someone after dormancy in sexual activity isn’t exactly like riding a bike. The body needs practice, so to speak, in order to build and maintain not only strength but also to allow you to get the most out of what sex has to offer the body.

Having sex at least once or twice a week actually helps your immune system. The body has been shown to produce more antibodies that help you fight off illness. It’s also suspected to help protect against heart disease. Happiness and exercise, which is essentially a simplified version of sex, has been known to lower blood pressure. Sex can even combine aerobic and strength training exercises. The orgasm itself is nature’s first pain reliever! Pain-relieving hormones are released following orgasm, which helps all kinds of pain, including back and leg pain, headaches, menstrual cramps, and even arthritis. Prolactin is released, which is a relaxation hormone. Oxytocin is also released, and both of these help you not only drift off, but have a relaxing, and therefore therapeutic sleep.

A Great Sex Life Isn’t Guaranteed

Even with the perfect partner, a great sex life isn’t always a given. Life can get in the way, and often does. Life, aging, medical treatments, and surgeries can all cause sexual side effects that make it difficult to not only maintain a good sexual relationship but even to prioritize one. Pelvic radiation treatments and other cancer therapies, post-hysterectomy pain, and menopause, for example, can all make the vaginal walls thin and sensitive to touch. It’s also super common for such things to shorten and tighten the vagina, making penetration very painful. Pregnancy does a number on the pelvic floor muscles (the bowl-shaped system of interconnected muscles that hold up pelvic organs against the forces of gravity. A weak pelvic floor can cause a variety of urinary and sexual problems, including chronic pain. There are also less physically obvious causes of pelvic discomforts, such as vulvodynia, which is like the fibromyalgia of the vagina. This condition causes soreness, itching, throbbing, burning and sometimes stinging sensations, which not only causes pain during intercourse but also during everyday activities such as sitting or exercising.

For all of these conditions, doctors commonly suggest the use of vaginal dilators. They’re a drug-free, surgery-free way to help you feel like your vibrant, sexual self again. They come in a variety of sizes and are shaped like tampons. Vaginal dilator therapy can be performed in a clinical setting or in the comfort of your own home to help create a more elastic vagina, increase length, promote natural blood flow, and also help retrain the brain to not associate vaginal touch with pain. Aside from the physical improvements, regular stimulation with a dilator sends constant signals to the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn teaches you that you can relax during intercourse.

The vagina is a complex machine, as are all the muscles that surround it. It’s also seen as a private part of the body, and therefore its pain or pleasure is not often discussed freely. It’s common to think that sex is a privilege, and therefore people are often willing to sacrifice their sexual health in exchange for health in other areas. But the truth is, there is nothing selfish about wanting to enjoy sex. Sex isn’t just about creating life. It’s an integral part of your overall health. Vaginal dilator therapy can help train your body and brain to not only accept but also to love sex again. Here’s to your health!

In honor of sexual health awareness month, order a BioMoi vaginal dilator today and get started on a path to reclaiming a happy and healthy sex life!

The post Is Your Sex Life Healthy? first appeared on BioMoi.