Embarrassing Questions
I'm a woman who wants to shave all my hair down there. Is there a health reason why I shouldn't?
Mike Cirigliano, MD, FACP, is an associate professor of medicine at Penn Medicine.
Removal of genital hair is a very common practice. In fact, in one study, up to 70 percent of young men and women between the ages of 12 to 20 admitted to shaving their genital areas. That being said, there are some risks associated with the practice. Improper shaving can lead to irritation of the skin, folliculitis or inflammation of the hair follicles (from shaving against the grain of the hair), and cuts. Some studies even suggest that this form of body modification is more common in sexually active adolescents compared to those who are not.
If you’re going to partake, be very careful and for sure, know how to shave properly.
Can I get a STD from a toilet seat or a hot tub?
John Missanelli, DO, is a gynecologist at Lourdes Health System.
Sitting on a toilet seat or being in a hot tub cannot give you a sexually transmitted disease. As the name says, sex is needed to pass on these diseases. There are other ways some diseases can be passed other than sex, but this is rare.
I've noticed a tiny bit of white discharge from my nipples, but I don't have a baby. Does this mean I'm pregnant?
John Missanelli, DO, is a gynecologist at Lourdes Health System.
Discharge from the breast of any color and consistency is normal.
When discovered, it can seem alarming, but it does not necessarily mean that you are pregnant or have an emergent medical problem.
Will yogurt cure a yeast infection if I put it "inside"?
Matthew Fagan, MD, is an urogynecologist at Lankenau Medical Center, a part of Main Line Health.
Vaginal yeast infections are very common, and many women might be affected by them once or twice per year. Although there are different ways to treat a yeast infection, yogurt is not one of them. One of the myths surrounding yeast infections is that eating yogurt and the natural bacteria it contains can help to prevent an infection from occurring. While yogurt does contain natural healthy bacteria, it cannot prevent a yeast infection regardless of how it is used.
Yogurt isn¹t the answer to a yeast infection, but fortunately, the solutions are usually simple ones that don¹t necessarily require a doctor¹s visit. Effective self-care methods include nonprescription creams and over-the-counter medications, which can be purchased from pharmacies and most grocery stores. These treatments typically treat a yeast infection and the associated symptoms within a few days.
Could I be using hand sanitizer too frequently? For example, I'll use it after shaking someone's hand that appears to be sick, or in the car, after I've been grocery shopping.
Lisa Adams, CRNP, is a certified nurse practitioner at Paoli Hospital, a part of Main Line Health.
Avoiding germs and keeping your hands clean is never a bad thing. Many common illnesses can be contracted through germs picked up through person-to-person contact or from counter tops, doorknobs, and other shared surfaces. By using hand sanitizer regularly, you can not only decrease your risk for contracting other germs, but also decrease the risk of sharing your own.
It is important to note that while hand sanitizer can be an effective disinfectant, it shouldn¹t be the only method. Make sure to wash your hands regularly. Try to use sanitizer only when soap and water is unavailable. Some viruses or diseases can be immune to sanitizer. That is why traditional hand washing is so important. Don¹t think of hand sanitizers as a replacement, think of them as a supplement.
Why does eating beets turn my pee and poop red? Are there any health concerns with this?
Mervyn D. Danilewitz, MD, FACG, AGAF, Chief of Gastroenterology, Mercy Philadelphia Hospital
The beetroot pigment called betanin is responsible for the red coloring in urine and feces and this should not cause any health concerns.
Some people cannot break the pigment down and this results in excretion of the pigment in urine and feces.The rest of the beetroot is digested and no nutrients should be lost. This usually lasts 48 hours, but it can vary in people who have a slow or faster rate of passing feces. It also depends on amount of fluids one drinks.
My husband, in his 40s, recently began snoring every night. Is there anything we can do? Can a doctor help?
Ajay Pillai, MD, Director of Sleep Disorders Center, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital & Mercy Suburban Hospital
Snoring is very common, particularly in males. Habitual snoring is present in 44 percent of males and 28 percent of females between the ages of 30 and 60. Occasional snoring is almost universal.
Snoring is a sound produced by vibration of the soft tissue in the throat during sleep. It suggests some narrowing of the upper airway.
My crotch gets super sweaty when I exercise. Is there anything I can do?
Bradley Smith, MD, is a sports medicine physician at Lankenau Medical Center of Main Line Health System.
Like every other part of your body, your groin can also be affected by excessive perspiration, especially during exercise. You should know that you are not alone. This condition, called hyperhidrosis, causes excessive sweating. It usually presents during exercise, in extreme heat, or in stressful situations and can often cause those who are affected by it to sweat through their clothing. It typically affects the hands, feet, underarms, and face, but it can affect other areas of the body, too, including the groin.
While this is natural and usually nothing to be concerned about, it can be embarrassing for those who exercise often and deal with it on a regular basis. Fortunately, by taking some preventative measures and choosing the appropriate workout gear, you should be able to lessen or avoid the problem.
One of the most effective ways to cut down on the amount of perspiration during your workout is paying attention to what you wear. Not only will this affect the amount of perspiration in your groin, but other areas of your body, as well. Thicker fabrics in sweatshirts and sweatpants will hold onto moisture, so choose materials like light cotton or linen that will wick away sweat and keep air circulating during your workout.
In addition, pay attention to the fit of your clothing. Workout clothing should fit well, but try and keep them loose fitting. Look for wide-legged pants and capris or athletic shorts, which are preferable to tight leggings. For your workout, opt for undergarments with an absorbent cotton crotch that can help to decrease the amount of perspiration.
Much like applying anti-perspirant to your underarms to avoid odor and perspiration, there are also products available that can be applied to other areas of the body. Check your local pharmacy or grocery store for spray deodorant, which can be applied to the groin or other affected areas to decrease sweating.
Finally, don’t forget to cool yourself down during and after your workout with a fan or water bottle. While this won’t target the groin specifically, cooling down your whole body can be helpful.
If you are still dealing with excessive perspiration after trying these tactics, consult with your doctor, who may be able to suggest other treatment options.
I've got constipation several times a week. Is there anything I can do to prevent this? Is medication necessary? Should I go see a doctor?
Gary Lichtenstein, MD, professor of Medicine and director of the Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania responds.
The situation you are describing is a frequent - though often not talked about - scenario. It is important to recognize that constipation is a common disorder that may have one or more causes and is very treatable.
Constipation is a common problem regardless of sex, age, or race. It is defined as infrequent, difficult, or incomplete bowel movements. The frequency of normal bowel movements range from three bowel movements per day, to three bowel movements per week. We define constipation as less than three bowel movements a week.
However, there are other symptoms that would be considered constipation as well including: a decrease in a person’s typical bowel movement frequency - it is not necessary to have less than three bowel movements in a week; having to strain when having a bowel movement; having hard, pellet-like stools; a sense of incomplete passage of stool with a bowel movement; and the need to use specific agents or methods to maintain bowel movement regularity such as: suppositories, enemas, oral laxatives or manual maneuvers such as digital stimulation or pelvic floor support.
There are many reasons why an individual may become constipated, ranging from lifestyle and dietary habits to behavioral issues and medication. The most common causes of constipation include: dehydration, lack of physical activity, medication side effects, inadequate fiber in the diet, irritable bowel syndrome, and travel or medical disease states – such as diabetes and spinal disease.
You should consult a medical professional if lifestyle, dietary, or behavioral changes do not relieve the constipation. Also, you should see a medical professional if you have “alarming symptoms,” such as blood in or on the stool, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, painful bowel movements, unexplained weight loss, associated nausea or vomiting, or constipation lasting more than three weeks.
Michael J. Ruckenstein M.D., M.Sc., is professor, vice chairman, and residency program director in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at University of Pennsylvania Health System
Ears naturally clean themselves, extruding ear wax. The best way to clean your ear is to wipe the ear with your towel after a shower. In a small minority of people, the ear's self-cleaning mechanism is defective and the wax requires manual removal.
Cotton swabs do more harm than good when attempting to clean out ear wax. Because they are the same diameter as the ear canal, they push wax deeper into the canal. This can make it more difficult and painful to remove later on. A few drops of hydrogen peroxide in the ear may bubble out the ear wax. Mineral oil or baby oil will soften the wax and may allow it to come out on its own.
Ear candling should be avoided at all costs. It does not remove any wax, but tricks the patient into believing wax is flowing from the ear. In fact, all they are seeing is candle wax. Not only does it not work, but candling puts the patient at risk for severe burns of the ear from the hot candle wax.
Physicians or their assistants can wash out an ear to clean out the wax. Otolaryngologists (ear nose and throat specialists) might also employ small curettes and suctions to clean the ear.
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