Great Sex, Naturally (16 page)

—
Vitamin E.
The unique properties of vitamin E make it especially effective for relieving vaginal dryness and VAD, stimulating your normal mucosa, and decreasing the potential for infection. As with black-cohosh and wild-yam suppositories, vitamin E can also be helpful if you use estriol or DHEA, and if they don’t fully resolve symptoms of VAD.

For an easy home remedy, open a soft 400 IU vitamin E gel capsule with a pin, squeeze the oil onto your fingertip, and apply it directly to your vulva and vaginal tissues. (Vitamin E is also available in liquid form. It’s always best to purchase vitamin E in the form of mixed tocopherols.)

Vitamin E can also reduce vaginal dryness when used as a suppository. The vitamin E vaginal suppository in
Appendix C
is available in a natural cocoa-butter base that melts at body temperature after you apply it, allowing the vitamin E to cover the tissues of your vulva and vagina. To use, insert one suppository into your vagina with your finger.

Whether you use vitamin E gel capsules or vitamin E vaginal suppositories, you should apply them every night at bedtime for at least two weeks, then taper use to three times a week to keep your vulvar and vaginal tissues hydrated. Many women with vaginal dryness or VAD begin to experience an improvement in their symptoms after using one of these treatments for only a week or two.

For the most effective relief of vaginal dryness experienced during sex, use one of these methods long-term and on a regular basis. Either can also be used before or during sex as a lubricant, although you’ll probably find that the suppositories result in much smoother, more effective lubrication than the gel capsules. In either case, a panty liner is recommended; vitamin E oil may be staining.

—
Ba Zhen Wan.
Also referred to as “Women’s Precious Pills” or “Women’s Eight Treasure Tea Pills,” Ba Zhen Wan strengthens a type of chi known as
Xue
. According to Chinese medicine, if you have an imbalance of Xue, your symptoms may include vulvar and vaginal tissues that are pale, undernourished, and devitalized, as well as a faded complexion, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, weak feelings in your limbs, dizziness, a pale tongue, and a faint pulse. (From the perspective of Western medicine, this state may be associated with anemia, painful menstrual cramps, low blood sugar, ulcers or abscesses that don’t heal, and postpartum exhaustion.)

Ba Zhen Wan contains five herbs that work synergistically to balance your chi:
poria, licorice, ligusticum, white-peony root
, and
Angelica sinensis
. The recommended dose is two pills two to three times daily, or if in pellet form, eight pellets two to three times daily. (Many companies make Chinese herbal formulas in both pill and pellet form. The pills are larger, approximately five to eight millimeters lengthwise; the small round pellets, or
BBs
, are typically about three millimeters in diameter.) see
Appendix C
for a resource.

You can also use acupressure to complement the effects of Ba Zhen Wan and help balance your chi: press firmly on the point called
Liver 8
for two minutes once or twice daily. (To locate Liver 8, see
Appendix A
.)

—
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.
Also known as “Six Flavor Tea Pills,” Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is a Chinese herbal formula that builds another type of chi known as
kidney and liver yin
. It’s used for symptoms that include dry, thinning, or burning vulvar and vaginal tissues, as well as for dry skin, night sweats, hot flashes, hot sensations in the palms of the hands and in the feet, blurred vision, dizziness, ringing in the ears, dark circles under the eyes, constipation, a lack of restful sleep, mental unrest, and frequent urination. A woman with these symptoms also tends to have a dry, reddish tongue and a pulse described in Chinese medicine as “thin”—weak and difficult to feel, as opposed to strong and “full.” (From the standpoint of Western medicine, this condition may be associated with insomnia, perimenopause and menopause, hyperthyroidism, interstitial cystitis, and other health issues.)

Some research has found that Liu Wei Di Huang Wan can increase the release of adrenal hormones that reduce inflammation; other research has shown it can support and balance immune-system functions. The formula combines six synergistic herbs:
rehmannia, fructus corni, moutan, dioscoreae, poria
, and
alismatis
. The recommended dose is two pills two to three times daily, or (in pellet form) eight pellets two to three times daily.

To use acupressure to support Liu Wei Di Huang Wan and help balance your chi, press firmly on the point called
Spleen 6
(see
Appendix A
) for two minutes once or twice daily.

—
Chinese ginseng.
You can use Chinese ginseng, also known as
Panax ginseng
or
Korean ginseng
, as a single herb to treat or prevent vaginal dryness or atrophy of your vulvar and vaginal tissues. (Later in this book, you’ll explore Chinese ginseng’s aphrodisiac effects.) Well known in Chinese medicine for its ability to “build yang,” it can be especially effective if you not only have vaginal dryness or VAD but also what’s known as “yang deficiency.” Symptoms of yang deficiency include cold hands and feet, low energy and vitality, low libido, achy joints, sensations of cold in the lower back and knees, and a lack of control of the flow of urine. (From a Western medical perspective, this condition may be associated with arthritis, fatigue, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, obesity, urinary incontinence, depression, and other ailments.)

Chinese ginseng can improve the circulation of chi through your pelvic region, warm and nurture your pelvic tissues, and help maintain the health and vitality of this delicate area of your body. The recommended dose is 200 mg taken two to three times daily. Since Chinese ginseng is a stimulating herb, it may cause insomnia in some women if taken too late in the day.

To use acupressure to support Chinese ginseng and help balance your chi, press firmly on the point called
San Jiao 4
(see
Appendix A
) for two minutes once or twice daily.

Providing for Pleasure by Preventing and Treating Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence, or the involuntary release of urine from the bladder, is largely a female affliction; women are five times more likely than men to experience it. Each year, the condition affects many millions of women worldwide. There’s more than one type of urinary incontinence, but the most common type that you may experience, known as
stress incontinence
, can be prevented or treated naturally. (We’ll address this type here; other types, beyond the scope of this book, require medical attention.) Preventing or treating this condition can vastly improve your ability to enjoy your sexuality.

If you’re a woman with the typical case of urinary incontinence, you’re unable to prevent urine from leaking out of your urethra when pressure is exerted on your abdomen. This can happen often, since the degree of pressure it takes to cause leakage may happen when you sneeze, cough, lift heavy objects, exercise, squat, jump, or laugh. Leakage may also occur during sex, which can put a damper, literally, on your sex life. The condition can be mild, causing an occasional minor embarrassment, or severe, with consequences drastically affecting the quality of your life.

Urinary incontinence can have many causes, but the most common is childbirth. As you discovered earlier in this chapter, after childbirth a woman’s pelvic muscles can remain stretched and weakened, making her more vulnerable to organ prolapse. This can also increase her susceptibility to urinary incontinence.

Another potential cause is the natural hormonal changes you experience leading up to menopause. As the estrogen and testosterone levels in your body decline, some of the tissues in your pelvic muscles, including those that support your bladder and urethra, may become weaker, making them less able to prevent leakage. At the same time, your dropping estrogen level affects estrogen receptors in your nerve tissue in ways that can elevate sensitivity and lead to increased urge to urinate.

Kegels can be effective not only for preventing urinary incontinence but also for treating it; they strengthen and firm the muscles that support your lower pelvis, urethra, and bladder. Earlier in this chapter we described how to do Kegels, and you may already be well on your way to becoming a master Kegeler. Keep practicing the recommended routine, whether or not you have urinary incontinence: you may prevent it from ever developing—or be surprised by how successfully you can reverse the symptoms. Rapid Kegels, which develop the fast-twitch fibers in your pelvic muscles, can be especially helpful in preventing urinary incontinence triggered by sudden abdominal pressure like coughing or sneezing. If you’re one of the many women who suffer from urinary incontinence, give extra attention to your fast-Kegel skills.

Freeing Your Libido from Urinary Tract Infections

There’s a good chance you’ve had a urinary tract infection (UTI) at some point in your life. They’re among the most common female health concerns, affecting millions of women every year. You may have experienced recurring UTIs; about 20 percent of women who have a UTI have a second one, and some 30 percent of those women have a third.

Women often develop UTIs after having sex, as a result of tissue irritation at the urethral opening or vagina, which is why UTIs are sometimes referred to as “honeymoon cystitis.” (In this context,
cystitis
is a term linked with some types of UTIs.) Many women with UTIs are repeatedly prescribed antibiotics by conventional doctors. This may cause their symptoms to disappear for a time, only to return again when they have sex. Antibiotics are sometimes necessary, but when too quickly prescribed, they can contribute to the development of UTIs by killing off the friendly bacteria in your vagina, vulva, and urethra that help prevent UTIs.

Every day, you’re exposed to the type of bacteria that causes UTIs. You normally fight them off, but a number of factors can make you more susceptible and allow them to invade your urethra and bladder. In addition to tissue irritation from sex and the inappropriate use of antibiotics, common causes of UTIs include dehydration, general stress on your immune system, and your dietary choices.

UTIs are unpleasant, and can wreak havoc on your sex life because their disagreeable symptoms can cause apprehension about recurrent infections. Symptoms include pain or burning sensations while urinating, pressure in your bladder or urethra, an urgency to urinate, frequent urination, and blood in the urine. The good news is that there’s a lot that you can do to assist your body in naturally preventing UTIs, and thereby enormously enhance your ability to enjoy sex. Let’s look at the lifestyle measures you can take to help keep yourself UTI-free:

—
Use adequate lubrication during sex.
This can make all the difference in whether or not your vulvar tissues become irritated. Later in this book, we’ll explore your options for using sexual lubricants in detail.

—
Urinate after you have sex
. UTIs may gain a foothold in your urethra during sex; with this simple preventive measure, you decrease their chances. Emptying your bladder naturally cleanses unwanted bacteria from your urethra and bladder.

—
Drink plenty of water.
This prevents dehydration, helps keep your tissues moisturized (including your vaginal tissues), and gives you the advantage over undesirable bacteria. Your daily intake of water in ounces should equal about half the weight of your body in pounds, but you may need more in a hot climate, or if you perspire a lot from exercise—or from sex.

—
Choose the right diet.
Avoid sugar and alcohol, both of which can make you more UTI-prone. A diet high in sugar can make you especially vulnerable. Following the Great Sex Diet outlined in
Chapter 2
will help you steer clear of UTIs.

—
Avoid using soap on your urethra.
Soap can irritate your delicate vulvar tissue, change its pH, and create favorable conditions for unfriendly bacteria. You don’t need to apply soap directly to your vulva; instead, you can simply wash it with warm water.

—
Decrease possible tissue irritation.
If you have vaginitis, use the methods we’ve covered in the previous pages to treat the condition as soon as it develops. Many women develop UTIs in conjunction with, or as a result of, vaginitis.

—
Manage your stress.
If you’re under chronic stress, you become more vulnerable to many types of illness and infection, including UTIs. Women who have recurrent UTIs often become much less susceptible when they make lifestyle changes that reduce stress.

—
Use estrogen cream if you’re menopausal.
Vaginal dryness, which you’re most likely to experience in your 40s or later, also affects your urethral tissues and makes you more vulnerable to UTIs. By using a natural estrogen cream containing estriol, as recommended earlier in this chapter for VAD, you can enhance the integrity of your urethral tissues and help prevent UTIs.

Some women are more prone to UTIs than others. If you’ve made all the right lifestyle choices, but find that you still have a tendency to develop UTIs, drinking two or three cups of marshmallow root tea on a daily basis can soothe the tissues of your urethra and bladder and help prevent recurrent UTIs. To make the tea, add two tablespoons of marshmallow root to four cups of boiling water, simmer for 15 minutes, and strain.

If you tend to get UTIs after sex, you can also drink a half-teaspoon of D-mannose (available at most health-food stores), a natural sugar found in cranberries and pineapples, dissolved in a cup of water before or after you have sex. This helps eliminate unwanted bacteria from your urethra and bladder.

UTIs should always be treated as quickly as possible; if untreated, they can soon lead to a kidney infection, which is a more serious condition, so antibiotics may be necessary. If you develop a UTI, you should have a urine test done by your naturopathic physician or medical doctor. For a resource on treating UTIs naturally, see
Appendix C
.