Why is My Vagina Itchy

Why Is My Vagina Itchy? How to Relieve Vaginal Itching

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, STIs, Vaginal Discharge Leave a Comment

Chances are, you’ve experienced itching “down there” at one time or another in your life and may have some questions: Why does my vagina itch? What causes vaginal itching? How do I get rid of vaginal itching and prevent it in the future? And is vaginal itching normal? These are important questions and ones that I address fully in my …

Postcoital Dysphoria

Postcoital Dysphoria: Why Am I Sad After Sex

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Anxiety, Depression, Mood, Mood & Emotions, Sex Hormones, Sexual Health Leave a Comment

When you engage in consensual sex, you expect it to be a positive emotional experience leaving you feeling happy and relaxed. But when you feel sad after sex, you may wonder what is going on and if this is a normal or a common experience for women.  While most research on female sexual dysfunction focuses on what happens before or …

Testosterone, HRT, and Low Libido in Women

Does Testosterone Hormonal Replacement Improve Libido

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Libido, Sex Hormones, Sexual Health Leave a Comment

It’s often said that a strong libido is a sign of health and vitality—yet one-third of women report low sexual desire. But what does “strong” mean anyways? In this article, we’re going to talk about what’s normal, what’s not, and just what might be the cause of your disinterest in getting down with your partner. Like many women’s health issues, …

What Are STIs and How to Prevent Them

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sexual Health, STIs Leave a Comment

Let’s talk about sex—specially sexual health. So much about sexual health is kept quiet, but if you read my articles or follow me on Instagram, you know I’m all about open conversations about sex and intimacy—and that includes the not-so-fun topic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We need to be more open about safer sex because awareness and education are …

What Causes Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal Dryness and the Vaginal Flora

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Gut-Hormone Connection, Perimenopause/ Menopause, Sexual Health Leave a Comment

Vaginal dryness is a women’s health symptom that often goes overlooked. Women may feel uncomfortable discussing dryness with their partner or provider and suffer in silence. Or they may believe vaginal dryness to be a normal part of being a woman or getting older.  If you are experiencing vaginal dryness, you are not alone. It is widespread, affecting up to …

Squirting and Female Ejaculation: What You Need to Know

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Orgasms, Sexual Health Leave a Comment

Did you know that women can also ejaculate during sex? The phenomenon, also called “squirting,” is a popular topic when it comes to sexual health, and one that comes with a lot of questions. Female ejaculation is a fairly common experience, but not something that gets talked about very often. To compare, just think of how many phrases there are …

Bacterial Vaginosis Causes, Symptoms & 5 Natural Treatments

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sexual Health Leave a Comment

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection that mainly affects women in their reproductive years, most commonly ages 15-44. In fact, it’s the most common vaginal condition women in this age group experience, though anyone can get it. It’s caused by the overgrowth of normal bacteria found in the vagina. While many women don’t have symptoms, others can experience …

Your Vagina: Everything You Need to Know

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sexual Health Leave a Comment

If you have a vagina, chances are that it didn’t come with a user’s manual. Many people have received little (if any) education around this area of anatomy from parents and doctors, leaving them to wonder “am I normal?”  Because of culture, bias, and other influences, you may feel uncomfortable, uncertain, or even shameful about your vagina and vulva.  All …