June 18, 2025 • 23 mins
Host Jenn Seay and her Valley Girls Jess Staples and Melanie Shafer discuss sex and birth control with Dr. Caleb Huff.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The content shared on this podcast is for informational and
educational purposes only and should not be get strewed as
medical advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up
to date information, the host and producers make no representations
or warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the
information presented. Medical information is constantly evolving, and what is
discussed may not reflect the most current research or guidelines.
This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis,
(00:21):
or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or
other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have
regarding a medical condition or treatment. If you are experiencing
a medical emergency, please call emergency services immediately. By listening
to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that the host
and producers are not liable for any decisions or actions
taken based on the information provided.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
This is TMI Talking Medical Information with Value Health. Hey, guys,
gen z, here for another round of cm I Talking
Medical Information with Value Health. And I'm with my value
girls right here. I've got Melanie Schaeffer Helo, and I've got.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Just stay false.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Hey.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Hey, Hey, we are back and we are ready to
talk again with doctor Caleb Huff.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Hello, sir, how are you?
Speaker 4 (01:08):
I am doing well?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
How are you well? We are wonderful, and we are
back with some more very eye opening questions, maybe even
embarrassing questions.
Speaker 5 (01:20):
But I know that's not you.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
You're not embarrassed. Bring it on, Bring it on. That's
what I like to hear. All right, So do we
just jump right into it, ladies.
Speaker 5 (01:28):
Yeah, we've switched up topics this time. Last time I
was sort of like just general questions. This time we're
talking about sex and birth control.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Control, what's better?
Speaker 2 (01:43):
This is why we need video because Jess, she tries
to hide in the laughter, it's my girlfriend, let's fly.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
I'll just get a little awkward, Okay, who I am?
Speaker 5 (01:53):
I think everybody is so so that's why we're doing this.
We're taking the awkward out exactically.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
We're giving you the information and making it awkward so
that you don't have.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
To worry about it.
Speaker 5 (02:02):
So go ahead, Like I think a lot of women,
girls worry that is it okay to have sex when
you're on your cycle and on your period or is
that not a good healthy thing to do?
Speaker 4 (02:16):
It is perfectly safe to do that. There's no you're
not going to have heard anything. You can actually be
beneficial in terms of kind of releasing some natural endorphins
and help with some of the period cramps. Now, with
orgasm there can be some release of oxytocin that that
(02:42):
can cause some unarin cramps. So initially there could be
a little bit crampy, but it can help relieve a
little bit of that kind of crampiness, So maybe helps
a little bit.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Well, look at that, it's kind of like exercising on
your period, which I don't like to do either, so
I probably won't.
Speaker 6 (03:02):
Here's a crazy question, and this might have to get
edited out. No, I'm just gonna ask it. I at
the point of orgasm, is there an extra amount of flow?
Speaker 4 (03:15):
A very good question, because okay, I get I do
get asked that question from time to time, and it's
a it's a hotly contested answer. Okay, Ah, you have
to ask. You have to go bask to back the
basic anatomy. Okay. So to have augustia fluid, you have
to have a container within to retain that fluid. Correct, okay, correct.
(03:40):
The definition of a fluid containing organ in the body
is a.
Speaker 5 (03:46):
Probably not the right fluid that we.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Would hope to Okay, So there's no other bladder within
the pelvis other than the urinary bladder. Okay. Now, there
are a few glands in the the giant around the vagiant,
the schemes glands up top, and then the bark on
the glands down below, and they're pretty small and they
have very small openings and you can see them, but
(04:10):
they're you got to look really closely, not like the urethra,
so they would not be able to release a huge
amount of fluid at one time. So it's your's in
terms of that.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Okay.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
Well wait, that was thank you for that information. That, however,
was not my question. Okay, So you just answered My
question was if you are on your periods, sex and.
Speaker 7 (04:39):
Climax to you, I mean, you know, that could be
really embarrassing if you have a super heavy flow, it
might be even though you say it's perfectly fine.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Answers Yes, okay, because of you contractions with orgasm. Yes,
Because as the uters orgasms and contracts, it squeezes, so
it's a you know, the uterus is a muscle, so
when it squeezes, it can squeeze out any blood that's inside,
and it can be.
Speaker 5 (05:11):
Also if you have a heavy flood, that might be yeah, yeah, maybe.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
It could be a little embarrassing. It could be you
just put a towel underneath and just say.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Hair for a mess yep exactly. And by the way,
so obviously we know this. The uterus is a muscle
Kee gels. Great idea, right, well, yes, great.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Idea, but they're not going to help with the uterus itself,
with the hope of the public floor.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Oh yes, good okay.
Speaker 8 (05:41):
Next up, another question we have is what can I
do about painful sex or vaginal dryness?
Speaker 4 (05:48):
And do those go together? Yeah, they certainly can go together.
It certainly if you're having painful sex routinely, you should
see somebody and get evaluated, and you should have a
really detailed public exam by a professional to figure out
(06:10):
where you're hurting and why you're hurting, so that may entail.
I call them hotspots where like tender places, fractionally sure
where you may it's kind of hard to figure out
exactly where you're hurting. You say, oh, I don't know,
it just hurts. Well, okay, is this with superficial penetration
(06:32):
or deeper? Okay? Is this with orgasm? Is this after orgasm?
Do you hurt after intercourse is over and you have
like you know, throbbing pain afterwards for a few hours
or does it just randomly happen during and it's one
side or the other and it's sudden severe pain and
(06:52):
you've got to stop. Oh yeah, okay, Because that could
be no variances structure. There's a number of different things
that can have at that time. Could be endometrios's like
more associated with like the deeper penetration, but if it's
more superficial penetration, it could be a condition called vaginismus,
(07:12):
which is a vaginal spasm, so the muscles of the
vagina spasming. Any type of penetration, and it can be
very painful. If there's vaginal dryness, it can be due
to lack of estrogen. Lower estrogen levels can cause vaginal
tissues to become thinner, less able to stretch during intercourse,
(07:36):
so then it can be more uncomfortable. It can cause
small little tears that can be very painful, like little
paper cuts, but that can be treated. That can be managed.
Most often that can be managed with vaginal estrogen and
the vaginal tissues are very responsive to estrogen and can
(07:59):
be regal uvenated, so can help with natural lubrication and
it's very beneficial.
Speaker 5 (08:05):
Well what about what about other lubrications? Yeah, well too,
I'm sure if you don't get to the doctors, because
should you see your physician first?
Speaker 4 (08:14):
Or maybe certainly you can try it over the counter lubricants. Uh,
you know, I'm the big proponent of those. I don't know,
people seem to be against those for some reason.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I don't want something a foreign in my body and
I don't know what it's going to do what it caught?
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Am I sensitive down there?
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Do I know that?
Speaker 3 (08:35):
I don't because I've never used it, So what's gonna happen?
You know what I mean? I think I'm worried about that.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
And would you prefer would you say we should use
a water based lubritan?
Speaker 4 (08:45):
I tend to say more water based, But it kind
of depends on the person and if you if you
are very sensitive, then you want to stay away from it.
But if you're having trouble with lubrication, then you're gonna
want to use something and you may have to try
some different products and see how you respond to it.
(09:05):
I'll be afraid to try something.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
I get you. I don't know how to say this.
Are there all fue Everybody has their own home remedies.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Is what I'm saying. Everybody has home remedies.
Speaker 5 (09:20):
For colds and beast things. But are there are things
that you definitely.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Honey any suggestions?
Speaker 5 (09:27):
I don't know. I'm just wondering if there's like or.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Like staying more hydrated or things of that nature.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Yeah, we'll definitely staying hydrated. Yeah, actually that is.
Speaker 5 (09:41):
You know, it's more I would think naturally.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Yeah, I'm just ask so then, so obviously you know
that would affect your sex drive.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
I would think if you're hurting, right.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
But anticipating and painful incoalent, absolutely stress causes anxiety. And
then you know, they'll come in and say my libido
or my sex drive is down. And when I ask
the questions, it's like, well it's painful. So I'm like, well,
maybe it's not your sex drive. Maybe it's because you're
hurting and anticipating pain. If that's the issue, yeah, so
(10:16):
we need to figure out why that's happening.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
And so I guess I'm sure.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
I don't like to say the word normal we talked
about this last common is better Yeah, comment is a
better word.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
So, like, what would the common sex drive be? Because
I will tell you it depends on that's.
Speaker 5 (10:32):
A strong point, that's who you ask.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
I will say though, that being on birth control for
probably most of my life until I had my son
and now I'm not on birth control, complete world of difference.
I mean, I was on birth control for over fifteen years.
That seems like a minute, you know, and it could
definitely affect your sex drive.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
It can, it absolutely can.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
Does that make it increase or decreased?
Speaker 3 (10:56):
It decreased it while I was on birth.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
Control if you think about it.
Speaker 5 (11:01):
Clearly I wasn't on birth control with five kids back together.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
So birth controls often, like the pills, work to suppress ovulations.
So if you're suppressing ovulation, then you're kind of suppressing
that natural urge to reproduce.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
Okay, So how can you increase sex?
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Stress?
Speaker 9 (11:21):
Is a spectrum of you know, like what is normal
for each persons to some people are just a ten
out of ten, okay, and some people are a zero yeah,
or maybe a one.
Speaker 7 (11:33):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
Yeah, I guess there's people that are zero. I think
the majority of people. It's kind of like a bell
curve where most people fall in the five to well,
I guess four to six.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Okay, get it.
Speaker 4 (11:46):
And it depends on what medications you're on and how
much stress you're on your.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
I think stress is a big, big one.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
And relationships. You know, do you have a good relationship?
That strong point, right, I mean, that's one of the
questions I always asked because it's like, if you hate
your partner, yeah, then that's would explain why your sex
drive is love exactly.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
If you're scared of your partner, or if you don't
feel comfortable around them, if they've been criticizing you know
what I mean, there's a whole bunch of factors in there.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
Or if you're if you don't feel comfortable with your
weight or with how you look or you know, so
your self esteem plays a big role into it. So
it may not be hormonal or you know, chemical, Yeah,
it would just be there's a lot going on. Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Well, let's switch gears for like two seconds. Talk to
us about IUDs.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
They're great, We'll say.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
The only thing that I have heard about iud's I've
heard are great for a long term solution like a
five year solution.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
But also I've heard the insertion can be rather painful.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
I've heard periods can be rather painful.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Really yeah, but I don't know.
Speaker 5 (12:58):
It's a secondhand information. I'm not accurately.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
So when I've heard that you can feel them during intercourse,
can you rapid fire?
Speaker 4 (13:07):
Well, there's a lot. There's several different IUDs out there.
There's the copper IUD that is good for ten years.
I am not one to recommend that one because it's
primary mechanism of action is inflammation, so it causes inflammation
in the uterus.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
That doesn't sound good.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
No, No, we don't like inflamation.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
So the biggest reason that we remove them is admiramal
heavy bleeding. So I don't like that, at least most
people don't. So the other types progesterone, IEDs or all
the others, and there's different strengths and different lengths of time. Theoretically,
there are IUDs out there that can last now for
eight years. Okay, that good is a good one. There
(13:53):
are some other ones that are a little bit smaller.
Like you know, they say, oh, it's it's easier to insert,
and but if you compare, I mean you look at
them side to side, You're like, if I'm going to
go through that and the discomfort of having it placed,
I would rather just get it done for eight years potentially,
And you have the added benefit of that particular one
(14:17):
I'm referring to often reduces how much you bleed, and
by twelve months, a lot of women don't have periods anymore.
So the satisfaction of that UD compared to an indometrial
ablation at twelve months was the same. But seriously, if
(14:39):
you're having heaving periods and you're done having kids, yes,
that's a great option.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Well I didn't know that.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Yeah, So indimutrial reblations, they're very quick, usually only take
care what exactly is it? So it is a procedure
that destroys the endometrium, which is the part of the
uters that bleeds in sheds. Ever, you know when you
have a period, So if you destroy those active glands,
(15:08):
then theoretically you won't have periods anymore. Now with this
procedure that it can grow back and there can be
you know, a different level of success. I think we
quote about eighty eighty five percent success rate for that.
Speaker 5 (15:23):
So do you mean by success like you may not
bleed again, or it's something spot or yes success.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Yes, or if you do have some bleeding, it's less
than what it was. And it's really good for someone
who has painless bleeding. If you have very painful bleeding,
it's not going to really be a great option because
it's not going to get rid of the pain. Oh
and if you have I add no myosis, which is
(15:49):
and maybe I'll get a little bit too deep here.
Speaker 3 (15:51):
No, you keep going well that trench.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
If you have a diffault sound, if you have a
peblic ultrasound, and there is the appearance of a condition
called adinomiosis, which is associated with heavier, crampier periods, pelvic pressure,
all that sort of thing. What that is is an
abnormal location of endometrial glands in the muscle of the years,
(16:23):
so deeper down, and it's that's why it's crampier, heavier,
because there's nowhere really for that blood to go other
than inside of the muscle of the ears. So you
feel more bloated, public pressure, feel yucky and gross on
your period. Yeah, and it's a form of endometriosis. So
if you have an endometrial ablation, it's going to burn
(16:44):
the endometrium, but not the myometrium which is deeper.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Oh okay, there's not a one size fits all.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
Right solution and there's different you know side that if
the uterus is a different, a weird shape or too big,
there can be it may not be a great fit
for you.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Okay, good to know conversations.
Speaker 5 (17:07):
Are there other birth controls that there?
Speaker 8 (17:09):
I know there's a whole bunch of different ones, like
the brains and different kinds of things.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Do you want to touch on those at all?
Speaker 4 (17:15):
Yeah, there's a bunch of different options out there. There's
a bunch of different pills. There is the vaginal ring
that you can insert for three weeks and remove for
one week to have a period. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
So there's the implant goes in the arm that one's
good for three years and that's actually this is a
strange little jeopardy fact. It's more effective than get in
your tubes.
Speaker 5 (17:42):
High the impact in your arm? Yes, is there like
do you like literally cut your arm to insert it
or how does.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
That come to make it? Sound? So you have what
is it a shot? Has it works like a shot?
It is like a like a bigger kind of shot.
Thing is a small incision on your arm. No, no, no,
that's the actual device. It's a little rod. So it's
a four centimeter rod that goes in and it's really
(18:14):
thin and you can feel it under the skin. It
goes right under the skin. We we numb that area
with light a caine, and once we make sure that
it's numb, we put in the device.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
I do like that.
Speaker 5 (18:26):
It's like now on the outside of your arm, so
not everybody's gonna see it, sure you. I mean, it's
a little bit more private.
Speaker 4 (18:33):
It's a tiny little scar. It's like I don't want
a two milimeter very small. And then when you remove it,
when after three years or if you want to get
it out sooner, you can go through that same incision
to get it out.
Speaker 5 (18:48):
If so, say stay, you have it in and you
want to take it out because you would like to
become pregnant. Is that like a long process to become pregnant?
Does it have to work its way out of your
body before for till.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
Yeah, there can be a little bit of a return
to fertility window that can be maybe two months or something.
Everybody's a little bit different, but it's it's not something
that I think some women are afraid that it's going
to something that they use is going to harment least
scar them. Sure they can't have children afterwards, and that's
(19:23):
not really the case the case. Yeah, and if you're
having trouble, go see some go see somebody for help
and will help you nice. Like if you get it
out and you're you're not having a period and it's
been several months.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Like the valley, So then let's move on to because
I do feel like a lot of teenagers may not
understand that birth control is not something to prevent STDs
(19:56):
or sexually transmitting infections either. So what is the best
way to protect yourself if you are sexually active.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
Condoms and choosing your partners carefully, Yeah, it would be
very important. And being in committed monogamous relationships sure will
significantly reduce your chances of contracting anything.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
Okay, how often should you get tested?
Speaker 4 (20:26):
I think it's a good idea to get a yearly screening,
you know, or if you're having anything that's abnormal, whether
that be discharge or you know, if there's any legions
that up here, if you're burning, any type of something's
going wrong, you know, you may want to get that checked.
(20:47):
Out and be screened for that.
Speaker 8 (20:49):
So if someone's interested in coming in for testing, do
they specifically ask for certain testing?
Speaker 3 (20:55):
Do you just test for everything? And what is that?
Is it blood? Is it urine? What does that look like?
Speaker 4 (21:00):
Well, they can ask for specific things, so there you
can do chlamydia gania by urine test. There's vaginal swamp
that we can check for trickamonas or some other you know,
yeast bacteria o other things as well. There are blood
tests that we can check for syphilis, HIV, appatitis, those
(21:26):
sort of things. So if somebody came in and wanted
the works, that's what we would do is check for
all of those things.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
The works.
Speaker 4 (21:40):
It's quarters because.
Speaker 5 (21:45):
Oh my god, no, listen. Is there is there a
sexually transmitted disease that you see more frequently?
Speaker 6 (21:52):
I mean, I know what you've mentioned to HIV and
the HIV level, as you said, it's not really super
high in this region.
Speaker 5 (21:57):
Is there something that you see more often?
Speaker 4 (22:00):
Well, I would say genital herpes would be probably the
one I see the most, and not so much like
primary infections, like somebody comes in with a huge because
if somebody gets a primary outbreak, it's usually like dramatic,
very painful blisters all over the place, and it's it
(22:22):
can be really bad, but it's usually managing, you know, like, oh,
I have a little blister that popped up, and we
send in some medicine to help suppress that. Okay, but
it is it's very common.
Speaker 5 (22:35):
Well, we've talked about seds. What about like something just
more basic yeast infections and things like that women have
to deal with, right, So what's the best way to
treat it? How do you know there's lots of over
the counter stuff?
Speaker 4 (22:48):
Now, Well, yeah, there are a lot of products out there,
and some work and some don't, and some work for
some people and some don't. And I think you've just
got to know what works for you and what what doesn't.
And I have a lot of patients that say they'll
tell me ahead of time, if you send me an antibiotic,
(23:10):
go ahead and send me in you know, something free
east infection, because I always get it afterwards. They already
know or if they have if somebody has diabetes, they're
more prone to these infections. So it's just I don't know,
it's a personal thing, and everybody has different yeast and
(23:31):
bacteria that live on their skin and their bodies, and
some are more resistant to other things. So I think
it's just trial and error. But if something is not
working that you've tried over the counter, then I would
go in and get the big guns. The big guns.
Speaker 8 (23:49):
Talk to the doctor, right, We want to know does
peeing after sex really help prevent the UTIs and other infections.
Speaker 4 (23:59):
It is a good idea to do that because the
female urethra is much shorter than most male urethras.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
Most most ideas like it.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
You're in a room full of ladies, we like it.
Speaker 5 (24:18):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
It's the length of the urethra corresponds with the likelihood
of uts because it's less distance for bacteria to try.
So with intercourse, you're doing a lot of things down.
Speaker 5 (24:36):
There, sitting there. It's just.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
As we would say, as we would say in West Virginia,
there's a lot of waller and going on.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
There's a lot of wall so some.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
Of that bacteria can get wallered up in. The elder
said that that's not a source of infection.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
Okay, follow up, follow up.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
Okay, So a lot of people have the days now,
is that also a good idea?
Speaker 4 (25:14):
Well, it may not be a bad idea to wash yourself.
I don't know if doing it via a day like
shooting more up? Probably not there.
Speaker 5 (25:25):
Yeah, I don't know, so I know for the uti.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
You know, urinating after having sex helps to prevent that,
wouldn't You're an eating after sex help to prevent other
sexually transmitted infections?
Speaker 3 (25:41):
No, okay, that's what I'm thinking. Okay, just check it.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Well, I do believe that was what we had for
you today. I will say, doctor Huff, you answered exquisitely, sir.
Do you have any follow up or anything you'd like
to leave us with today?
Speaker 3 (25:56):
Well, listen, don't worry.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
We are bringing doctor Huff back for our next episode,
and we are obviously going to have your Valley girls
here as well.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Jess, Hey, Hey that Melanie.
Speaker 5 (26:07):
We'll see you soon.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
So listen, do not miss the next episode of Talking
Medical Information t am I with Valley Health and doctor Huff,
and he is going to be on the next episode
as well. Because we've got even more questions ladies, So
if you've got questions, please submit them to us.
Speaker 3 (26:25):
You can find us.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
You can find the Damage and Facebook page on Facebook.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
Send them directly to me. I promise you. Dave doesn't
check those I do, and you can also send them to.
Speaker 8 (26:34):
Marketing at value health dot org or valiy healths Facebook.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Okay, so, if you have a pressing question that you
want to know you're too embarrassed to ask your doctors,
don't worry.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
We're gonna ask our doctor. Doctor Huff see
Speaker 2 (26:45):
You next month with another episode of TMI asking the
tough and embarrassing questions so you don't have to
The content shared on this podcast is for informational and
educational purposes only and should not be get strewed as
medical advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up
to date information, the host and producers make no representations
or warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the
information presented. Medical information is constantly evolving, and what is
discussed may not reflect the most current research or guidelines.
This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis,
(00:21):
or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or
other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have
regarding a medical condition or treatment. If you are experiencing
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Speaker 2 (00:40):
This is TMI Talking Medical Information with Value Health. Hey, guys,
gen z, here for another round of cm I Talking
Medical Information with Value Health. And I'm with my value
girls right here. I've got Melanie Schaeffer Helo, and I've got.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Just stay false.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Hey.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Hey, Hey, we are back and we are ready to
talk again with doctor Caleb Huff.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Hello, sir, how are you?
Speaker 4 (01:08):
I am doing well?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
How are you well? We are wonderful, and we are
back with some more very eye opening questions, maybe even
embarrassing questions.
Speaker 5 (01:20):
But I know that's not you.
Speaker 3 (01:21):
You're not embarrassed. Bring it on, Bring it on. That's
what I like to hear. All right, So do we
just jump right into it, ladies.
Speaker 5 (01:28):
Yeah, we've switched up topics this time. Last time I
was sort of like just general questions. This time we're
talking about sex and birth control.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Control, what's better?
Speaker 2 (01:43):
This is why we need video because Jess, she tries
to hide in the laughter, it's my girlfriend, let's fly.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
I'll just get a little awkward, Okay, who I am?
Speaker 5 (01:53):
I think everybody is so so that's why we're doing this.
We're taking the awkward out exactically.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
We're giving you the information and making it awkward so
that you don't have.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
To worry about it.
Speaker 5 (02:02):
So go ahead, Like I think a lot of women,
girls worry that is it okay to have sex when
you're on your cycle and on your period or is
that not a good healthy thing to do?
Speaker 4 (02:16):
It is perfectly safe to do that. There's no you're
not going to have heard anything. You can actually be
beneficial in terms of kind of releasing some natural endorphins
and help with some of the period cramps. Now, with
orgasm there can be some release of oxytocin that that
(02:42):
can cause some unarin cramps. So initially there could be
a little bit crampy, but it can help relieve a
little bit of that kind of crampiness, So maybe helps
a little bit.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Well, look at that, it's kind of like exercising on
your period, which I don't like to do either, so
I probably won't.
Speaker 6 (03:02):
Here's a crazy question, and this might have to get
edited out. No, I'm just gonna ask it. I at
the point of orgasm, is there an extra amount of flow?
Speaker 4 (03:15):
A very good question, because okay, I get I do
get asked that question from time to time, and it's
a it's a hotly contested answer. Okay, Ah, you have
to ask. You have to go bask to back the
basic anatomy. Okay. So to have augustia fluid, you have
to have a container within to retain that fluid. Correct, okay, correct.
(03:40):
The definition of a fluid containing organ in the body
is a.
Speaker 5 (03:46):
Probably not the right fluid that we.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Would hope to Okay, So there's no other bladder within
the pelvis other than the urinary bladder. Okay. Now, there
are a few glands in the the giant around the vagiant,
the schemes glands up top, and then the bark on
the glands down below, and they're pretty small and they
have very small openings and you can see them, but
(04:10):
they're you got to look really closely, not like the urethra,
so they would not be able to release a huge
amount of fluid at one time. So it's your's in
terms of that.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Okay.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
Well wait, that was thank you for that information. That, however,
was not my question. Okay, So you just answered My
question was if you are on your periods, sex and.
Speaker 7 (04:39):
Climax to you, I mean, you know, that could be
really embarrassing if you have a super heavy flow, it
might be even though you say it's perfectly fine.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Answers Yes, okay, because of you contractions with orgasm. Yes,
Because as the uters orgasms and contracts, it squeezes, so
it's a you know, the uterus is a muscle, so
when it squeezes, it can squeeze out any blood that's inside,
and it can be.
Speaker 5 (05:11):
Also if you have a heavy flood, that might be yeah, yeah, maybe.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
It could be a little embarrassing. It could be you
just put a towel underneath and just say.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Hair for a mess yep exactly. And by the way,
so obviously we know this. The uterus is a muscle
Kee gels. Great idea, right, well, yes, great.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
Idea, but they're not going to help with the uterus itself,
with the hope of the public floor.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Oh yes, good okay.
Speaker 8 (05:41):
Next up, another question we have is what can I
do about painful sex or vaginal dryness?
Speaker 4 (05:48):
And do those go together? Yeah, they certainly can go together.
It certainly if you're having painful sex routinely, you should
see somebody and get evaluated, and you should have a
really detailed public exam by a professional to figure out
(06:10):
where you're hurting and why you're hurting, so that may entail.
I call them hotspots where like tender places, fractionally sure
where you may it's kind of hard to figure out
exactly where you're hurting. You say, oh, I don't know,
it just hurts. Well, okay, is this with superficial penetration
(06:32):
or deeper? Okay? Is this with orgasm? Is this after orgasm?
Do you hurt after intercourse is over and you have
like you know, throbbing pain afterwards for a few hours
or does it just randomly happen during and it's one
side or the other and it's sudden severe pain and
(06:52):
you've got to stop. Oh yeah, okay, Because that could
be no variances structure. There's a number of different things
that can have at that time. Could be endometrios's like
more associated with like the deeper penetration, but if it's
more superficial penetration, it could be a condition called vaginismus,
(07:12):
which is a vaginal spasm, so the muscles of the
vagina spasming. Any type of penetration, and it can be
very painful. If there's vaginal dryness, it can be due
to lack of estrogen. Lower estrogen levels can cause vaginal
tissues to become thinner, less able to stretch during intercourse,
(07:36):
so then it can be more uncomfortable. It can cause
small little tears that can be very painful, like little
paper cuts, but that can be treated. That can be managed.
Most often that can be managed with vaginal estrogen and
the vaginal tissues are very responsive to estrogen and can
(07:59):
be regal uvenated, so can help with natural lubrication and
it's very beneficial.
Speaker 5 (08:05):
Well what about what about other lubrications? Yeah, well too,
I'm sure if you don't get to the doctors, because
should you see your physician first?
Speaker 4 (08:14):
Or maybe certainly you can try it over the counter lubricants. Uh,
you know, I'm the big proponent of those. I don't know,
people seem to be against those for some reason.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I don't want something a foreign in my body and
I don't know what it's going to do what it caught?
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Am I sensitive down there?
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Do I know that?
Speaker 3 (08:35):
I don't because I've never used it, So what's gonna happen?
You know what I mean? I think I'm worried about that.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
And would you prefer would you say we should use
a water based lubritan?
Speaker 4 (08:45):
I tend to say more water based, But it kind
of depends on the person and if you if you
are very sensitive, then you want to stay away from it.
But if you're having trouble with lubrication, then you're gonna
want to use something and you may have to try
some different products and see how you respond to it.
(09:05):
I'll be afraid to try something.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
I get you. I don't know how to say this.
Are there all fue Everybody has their own home remedies.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Is what I'm saying. Everybody has home remedies.
Speaker 5 (09:20):
For colds and beast things. But are there are things
that you definitely.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Honey any suggestions?
Speaker 5 (09:27):
I don't know. I'm just wondering if there's like or.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Like staying more hydrated or things of that nature.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Yeah, we'll definitely staying hydrated. Yeah, actually that is.
Speaker 5 (09:41):
You know, it's more I would think naturally.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Yeah, I'm just ask so then, so obviously you know
that would affect your sex drive.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
I would think if you're hurting, right.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
But anticipating and painful incoalent, absolutely stress causes anxiety. And
then you know, they'll come in and say my libido
or my sex drive is down. And when I ask
the questions, it's like, well it's painful. So I'm like, well,
maybe it's not your sex drive. Maybe it's because you're
hurting and anticipating pain. If that's the issue, yeah, so
(10:16):
we need to figure out why that's happening.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
And so I guess I'm sure.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
I don't like to say the word normal we talked
about this last common is better Yeah, comment is a
better word.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
So, like, what would the common sex drive be? Because
I will tell you it depends on that's.
Speaker 5 (10:32):
A strong point, that's who you ask.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
I will say though, that being on birth control for
probably most of my life until I had my son
and now I'm not on birth control, complete world of difference.
I mean, I was on birth control for over fifteen years.
That seems like a minute, you know, and it could
definitely affect your sex drive.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
It can, it absolutely can.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
Does that make it increase or decreased?
Speaker 3 (10:56):
It decreased it while I was on birth.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
Control if you think about it.
Speaker 5 (11:01):
Clearly I wasn't on birth control with five kids back together.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
So birth controls often, like the pills, work to suppress ovulations.
So if you're suppressing ovulation, then you're kind of suppressing
that natural urge to reproduce.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
Okay, So how can you increase sex?
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Stress?
Speaker 9 (11:21):
Is a spectrum of you know, like what is normal
for each persons to some people are just a ten
out of ten, okay, and some people are a zero yeah,
or maybe a one.
Speaker 7 (11:33):
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
Yeah, I guess there's people that are zero. I think
the majority of people. It's kind of like a bell
curve where most people fall in the five to well,
I guess four to six.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
Okay, get it.
Speaker 4 (11:46):
And it depends on what medications you're on and how
much stress you're on your.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
I think stress is a big, big one.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
And relationships. You know, do you have a good relationship?
That strong point, right, I mean, that's one of the
questions I always asked because it's like, if you hate
your partner, yeah, then that's would explain why your sex
drive is love exactly.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
If you're scared of your partner, or if you don't
feel comfortable around them, if they've been criticizing you know
what I mean, there's a whole bunch of factors in there.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
Or if you're if you don't feel comfortable with your
weight or with how you look or you know, so
your self esteem plays a big role into it. So
it may not be hormonal or you know, chemical, Yeah,
it would just be there's a lot going on. Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Well, let's switch gears for like two seconds. Talk to
us about IUDs.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
They're great, We'll say.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
The only thing that I have heard about iud's I've
heard are great for a long term solution like a
five year solution.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
But also I've heard the insertion can be rather painful.
Speaker 5 (12:54):
I've heard periods can be rather painful.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Really yeah, but I don't know.
Speaker 5 (12:58):
It's a secondhand information. I'm not accurately.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
So when I've heard that you can feel them during intercourse,
can you rapid fire?
Speaker 4 (13:07):
Well, there's a lot. There's several different IUDs out there.
There's the copper IUD that is good for ten years.
I am not one to recommend that one because it's
primary mechanism of action is inflammation, so it causes inflammation
in the uterus.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
That doesn't sound good.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
No, No, we don't like inflamation.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
So the biggest reason that we remove them is admiramal
heavy bleeding. So I don't like that, at least most
people don't. So the other types progesterone, IEDs or all
the others, and there's different strengths and different lengths of time. Theoretically,
there are IUDs out there that can last now for
eight years. Okay, that good is a good one. There
(13:53):
are some other ones that are a little bit smaller.
Like you know, they say, oh, it's it's easier to insert,
and but if you compare, I mean you look at
them side to side, You're like, if I'm going to
go through that and the discomfort of having it placed,
I would rather just get it done for eight years potentially,
And you have the added benefit of that particular one
(14:17):
I'm referring to often reduces how much you bleed, and
by twelve months, a lot of women don't have periods anymore.
So the satisfaction of that UD compared to an indometrial
ablation at twelve months was the same. But seriously, if
(14:39):
you're having heaving periods and you're done having kids, yes,
that's a great option.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Well I didn't know that.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Yeah, So indimutrial reblations, they're very quick, usually only take
care what exactly is it? So it is a procedure
that destroys the endometrium, which is the part of the
uters that bleeds in sheds. Ever, you know when you
have a period, So if you destroy those active glands,
(15:08):
then theoretically you won't have periods anymore. Now with this
procedure that it can grow back and there can be
you know, a different level of success. I think we
quote about eighty eighty five percent success rate for that.
Speaker 5 (15:23):
So do you mean by success like you may not
bleed again, or it's something spot or yes success.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Yes, or if you do have some bleeding, it's less
than what it was. And it's really good for someone
who has painless bleeding. If you have very painful bleeding,
it's not going to really be a great option because
it's not going to get rid of the pain. Oh
and if you have I add no myosis, which is
(15:49):
and maybe I'll get a little bit too deep here.
Speaker 3 (15:51):
No, you keep going well that trench.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
If you have a diffault sound, if you have a
peblic ultrasound, and there is the appearance of a condition
called adinomiosis, which is associated with heavier, crampier periods, pelvic pressure,
all that sort of thing. What that is is an
abnormal location of endometrial glands in the muscle of the years,
(16:23):
so deeper down, and it's that's why it's crampier, heavier,
because there's nowhere really for that blood to go other
than inside of the muscle of the ears. So you
feel more bloated, public pressure, feel yucky and gross on
your period. Yeah, and it's a form of endometriosis. So
if you have an endometrial ablation, it's going to burn
(16:44):
the endometrium, but not the myometrium which is deeper.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Oh okay, there's not a one size fits all.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
Right solution and there's different you know side that if
the uterus is a different, a weird shape or too big,
there can be it may not be a great fit
for you.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Okay, good to know conversations.
Speaker 5 (17:07):
Are there other birth controls that there?
Speaker 8 (17:09):
I know there's a whole bunch of different ones, like
the brains and different kinds of things.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Do you want to touch on those at all?
Speaker 4 (17:15):
Yeah, there's a bunch of different options out there. There's
a bunch of different pills. There is the vaginal ring
that you can insert for three weeks and remove for
one week to have a period. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:29):
So there's the implant goes in the arm that one's
good for three years and that's actually this is a
strange little jeopardy fact. It's more effective than get in
your tubes.
Speaker 5 (17:42):
High the impact in your arm? Yes, is there like
do you like literally cut your arm to insert it
or how does.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
That come to make it? Sound? So you have what
is it a shot? Has it works like a shot?
It is like a like a bigger kind of shot.
Thing is a small incision on your arm. No, no, no,
that's the actual device. It's a little rod. So it's
a four centimeter rod that goes in and it's really
(18:14):
thin and you can feel it under the skin. It
goes right under the skin. We we numb that area
with light a caine, and once we make sure that
it's numb, we put in the device.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
I do like that.
Speaker 5 (18:26):
It's like now on the outside of your arm, so
not everybody's gonna see it, sure you. I mean, it's
a little bit more private.
Speaker 4 (18:33):
It's a tiny little scar. It's like I don't want
a two milimeter very small. And then when you remove it,
when after three years or if you want to get
it out sooner, you can go through that same incision
to get it out.
Speaker 5 (18:48):
If so, say stay, you have it in and you
want to take it out because you would like to
become pregnant. Is that like a long process to become pregnant?
Does it have to work its way out of your
body before for till.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
Yeah, there can be a little bit of a return
to fertility window that can be maybe two months or something.
Everybody's a little bit different, but it's it's not something
that I think some women are afraid that it's going
to something that they use is going to harment least
scar them. Sure they can't have children afterwards, and that's
(19:23):
not really the case the case. Yeah, and if you're
having trouble, go see some go see somebody for help
and will help you nice. Like if you get it
out and you're you're not having a period and it's
been several months.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Like the valley, So then let's move on to because
I do feel like a lot of teenagers may not
understand that birth control is not something to prevent STDs
(19:56):
or sexually transmitting infections either. So what is the best
way to protect yourself if you are sexually active.
Speaker 4 (20:04):
Condoms and choosing your partners carefully, Yeah, it would be
very important. And being in committed monogamous relationships sure will
significantly reduce your chances of contracting anything.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
Okay, how often should you get tested?
Speaker 4 (20:26):
I think it's a good idea to get a yearly screening,
you know, or if you're having anything that's abnormal, whether
that be discharge or you know, if there's any legions
that up here, if you're burning, any type of something's
going wrong, you know, you may want to get that checked.
(20:47):
Out and be screened for that.
Speaker 8 (20:49):
So if someone's interested in coming in for testing, do
they specifically ask for certain testing?
Speaker 3 (20:55):
Do you just test for everything? And what is that?
Is it blood? Is it urine? What does that look like?
Speaker 4 (21:00):
Well, they can ask for specific things, so there you
can do chlamydia gania by urine test. There's vaginal swamp
that we can check for trickamonas or some other you know,
yeast bacteria o other things as well. There are blood
tests that we can check for syphilis, HIV, appatitis, those
(21:26):
sort of things. So if somebody came in and wanted
the works, that's what we would do is check for
all of those things.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
The works.
Speaker 4 (21:40):
It's quarters because.
Speaker 5 (21:45):
Oh my god, no, listen. Is there is there a
sexually transmitted disease that you see more frequently?
Speaker 6 (21:52):
I mean, I know what you've mentioned to HIV and
the HIV level, as you said, it's not really super
high in this region.
Speaker 5 (21:57):
Is there something that you see more often?
Speaker 4 (22:00):
Well, I would say genital herpes would be probably the
one I see the most, and not so much like
primary infections, like somebody comes in with a huge because
if somebody gets a primary outbreak, it's usually like dramatic,
very painful blisters all over the place, and it's it
(22:22):
can be really bad, but it's usually managing, you know, like, oh,
I have a little blister that popped up, and we
send in some medicine to help suppress that. Okay, but
it is it's very common.
Speaker 5 (22:35):
Well, we've talked about seds. What about like something just
more basic yeast infections and things like that women have
to deal with, right, So what's the best way to
treat it? How do you know there's lots of over
the counter stuff?
Speaker 4 (22:48):
Now, Well, yeah, there are a lot of products out there,
and some work and some don't, and some work for
some people and some don't. And I think you've just
got to know what works for you and what what doesn't.
And I have a lot of patients that say they'll
tell me ahead of time, if you send me an antibiotic,
(23:10):
go ahead and send me in you know, something free
east infection, because I always get it afterwards. They already
know or if they have if somebody has diabetes, they're
more prone to these infections. So it's just I don't know,
it's a personal thing, and everybody has different yeast and
(23:31):
bacteria that live on their skin and their bodies, and
some are more resistant to other things. So I think
it's just trial and error. But if something is not
working that you've tried over the counter, then I would
go in and get the big guns. The big guns.
Speaker 8 (23:49):
Talk to the doctor, right, We want to know does
peeing after sex really help prevent the UTIs and other infections.
Speaker 4 (23:59):
It is a good idea to do that because the
female urethra is much shorter than most male urethras.
Speaker 2 (24:10):
Most most ideas like it.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
You're in a room full of ladies, we like it.
Speaker 5 (24:18):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
It's the length of the urethra corresponds with the likelihood
of uts because it's less distance for bacteria to try.
So with intercourse, you're doing a lot of things down.
Speaker 5 (24:36):
There, sitting there. It's just.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
As we would say, as we would say in West Virginia,
there's a lot of waller and going on.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
There's a lot of wall so some.
Speaker 4 (24:54):
Of that bacteria can get wallered up in. The elder
said that that's not a source of infection.
Speaker 3 (25:06):
Okay, follow up, follow up.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
Okay, So a lot of people have the days now,
is that also a good idea?
Speaker 4 (25:14):
Well, it may not be a bad idea to wash yourself.
I don't know if doing it via a day like
shooting more up? Probably not there.
Speaker 5 (25:25):
Yeah, I don't know, so I know for the uti.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
You know, urinating after having sex helps to prevent that,
wouldn't You're an eating after sex help to prevent other
sexually transmitted infections?
Speaker 3 (25:41):
No, okay, that's what I'm thinking. Okay, just check it.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Well, I do believe that was what we had for
you today. I will say, doctor Huff, you answered exquisitely, sir.
Do you have any follow up or anything you'd like
to leave us with today?
Speaker 3 (25:56):
Well, listen, don't worry.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
We are bringing doctor Huff back for our next episode,
and we are obviously going to have your Valley girls
here as well.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Jess, Hey, Hey that Melanie.
Speaker 5 (26:07):
We'll see you soon.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
So listen, do not miss the next episode of Talking
Medical Information t am I with Valley Health and doctor Huff,
and he is going to be on the next episode
as well. Because we've got even more questions ladies, So
if you've got questions, please submit them to us.
Speaker 3 (26:25):
You can find us.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
You can find the Damage and Facebook page on Facebook.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
Send them directly to me. I promise you. Dave doesn't
check those I do, and you can also send them to.
Speaker 8 (26:34):
Marketing at value health dot org or valiy healths Facebook.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Okay, so, if you have a pressing question that you
want to know you're too embarrassed to ask your doctors,
don't worry.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
We're gonna ask our doctor. Doctor Huff see
Speaker 2 (26:45):
You next month with another episode of TMI asking the
tough and embarrassing questions so you don't have to
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