Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa answers our most uncomfortable questions–providing straight talk about “outies,” vaginal odor, and more.
Q: Why does an “innie” navel pop out when a woman is pregnant but not if she just gains a lot of weight?
A: The growing fetus, uterus, and buildup of amniotic fluids cause the abdomen to expand rapidly during pregnancy. So much pressure so fast stretches the skin and ultimately turns an “innie” navel into an “outie.” During normal weight gain, the stretching is much more gradual, so there’s no intense, outward push on the abdomen. If your transformed belly button alarms you, don’t worry: It should become an innie again in a few months postdelivery. On the off-chance that it doesn’t (this happens infrequently), minor plastic surgery could restore innie status.
Q: I’m dying to try these detoxifying pads I’ve seen on TV, but my friends think they’re a joke. Worth it or not?
A: These pads claim to leach toxins and even cellulite from your body through the soles of your feet while you sleep, thanks to a mixture of bamboo vinegar and other “100 percent all-natural ingredients.” But no scientific evidence thus far supports their efficacy. So why do the pads turn a seemingly toxin-rich brown overnight? Most likely they contain chemicals that react with the perspiration, oils, and warmth of your feet in some way. My advice? Save your money and down a glass of water to help your kidneys flush out toxins the truly natural way.
Q: I’ve got a fishy vaginal odor but no increased discharge or other symptoms. What might be wrong?
A: That fishy smell could be a symptom of a common condition known as bacterial vaginosis, or BV. It occurs when there’s an upset of the balance of good bacteria (known as lactobacilli) and bad bacteria in your vagina. Other symptoms of BV may include unusual vaginal discharge, pain, itching, or burning, but BV can be symptomless or recognizable by yucky odor alone. (Yeast infections, which can also cause itching and discharge, don’t cause this odor.) BV is common during pregnancy. Other known causes: sex with multiple partners, using a diaphragm, or douching (which removes those helpful lactobacilli from your vagina—so don’t do it!). Forgetting to remove a tampon or leaving one in too long can also throw the vagina’s bacterial balance out of whack and cause a stink. After the tampon’s removed, the odor should clear up quickly. If you have any odor for more than 48 hours, see your doc. BV is diagnosed with a simple lab culture and treated with antibiotics.
Q: My husband has warts on his hands. Could I get them if he touches me down there?
A: There’s a small risk, but it’s highly unlikely. Hand and genital warts are caused by different strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV. (Most strains are harmless.) On rare occasions, though, the strain of HPV that causes warts on hands can indeed cause warts elsewhere. To be extra-safe, have your husband wear thin latex gloves during any sex play until his warts are gone. (He should treat them with over-the-counter salicylic-acid medication; if they persist, he should see a dermatologist.) Even after that, make sure you don’t have any cuts, nicks, or open sores down there—these can spread HPV even when all warts are gone. The HPV vaccine is no help in this case: It protects against separate strains of HPV and is not recommended for women over age 26.
Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at NYU Medical Center.
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Comments (19)
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Can you be pregnant and still have your period during the early stages of pregnancy?
What kinds of symptoms can you have if you leave a tampon in for a long period of time. such as a week.
I was recently diagnosed with hpv. I have not had my colposcopy yet…I am wondering if I am treated and continue to have unprotected sex with my one partner and he carries it can he continue to spread it back to me or is there some kind of treatment for a man?
My husband and i have not had sex for 7 years, related to cancer etc..my question, Although I bath every day and wash my vaginal area, I have a large amoount of white (not curdy)
material inbetqeen folds? Why and What?
I discovered a blood blister in my vaginal area. I popped it and it bled quite heavily for a while. I also noted several small ones. What could this be? I am 61 yrs. old and only have sex with my husband once in a GREAT while do to the fact that it is very uncomfortable for me.
i am very glad to get into your site, i have a very big problem with my sperm cells,i have a blood sperm cells after masturbating. what help can you give me? please…thank you very much and more power..
I’m pregnant with a vaginal discharge that is a yellow and green color I’m going 2 the doctor on the 28 day of Aug. what do I do now that can help.
ihave discharge everyday and it smells bad but i’m not sure what kind of smell it is and im very self concious about it! HELP!
After sex I have a burning, swollen and pressured feeling on the outside of my vagina for hours, why?
I recently had some foreplay with my girlfriend, when I went down on her I noticed a horrible smell. like striaght up fish, I wanted to throw up and I didn’t want to tell her. what is it and wjat shuld I do?
I can’t say no toa guy when he wanna get down, and now I have sometipe of wartz down there. could this be aids or whatev. what shuold I do???
I am 58 years old and still very sexually active with 3 different male partners, I’m noticing a bad smell and my vagina hurts… what and why??help!
2 days ago i was diagnosed with hpv. We have no warts or symptoms married for 7.5 years so im sure we both sharing the same strain so why the condom now?
while i want to know why it take a woman a long time to get pregnant and her period is unregulra.
We are trying to get pregnant. its been 3yrs since marriage. we had one 8th week abortion in the first year. discussed with doctor and currently under medication. Please suggest appropriate measures with respect to sex, eating and health habits to both of us to get pregnant.
Why when I eat fish and the smell come between my vigina. It last for only a day or two?
I was recently diagnosed w/ an ear infection. I found out today that it’s a fungus. Question is this – could the fungus be caused from wearing ear plugs at the gym w/ my i-pod? I work out a lot and sweat a lot? If so, what do I do? I hate to workout with music?!?
I have this bump on my genital area its kinda big its on the outside theres only one i pop it a nd blood came out and it stillb big whatg is it im scared i dont know what to dod please help im scared ….