When it comes to women's health, there is no such thing as a silly question. Do you have a question you want answered, but have been too afraid or embarrassed to bring it up with your GP? Or you forgot to ask while you were in the doctor's surgery? Now, you can 'Ask Dr Jean'.
Answering your questions for this edition of 'Ask Dr Jean' is gynaecologist and Jean Hailes Medical Director, Dr Elizabeth Farrell AM
When it comes to women's health, there is no such thing as a silly question. Do you have a question you want answered, but have been too afraid or embarrassed to bring it up with your GP? Or you forgot to ask while you were in the doctor's surgery? Now, you can 'Ask Dr Jean'.
Answering your questions for this edition of 'Ask Dr Jean' is gynaecologist and Jean Hailes Medical Director, Dr Elizabeth Farrell AM (pictured).
I am 58. Whenever I jump, I leak urine. Is there a way to stop it please? And is there a way to not feel so dry down below? When I walk, sit or during sex, it feels like sandpaper.
Leaking urine when you jump is called stress incontinence. An assessment by your GP is appropriate, with a referral to a pelvic floor physiotherapist to teach you to strengthen your pelvic floor correctly. This is often effective, but you have to maintain the exercises long-term. Because your periods have stopped and you are postmenopausal, you lose lubrication.
Discuss with your doctor whether you need to use a vaginal moisturiser and lubricant with intercourse, or whether using vaginal oestrogen preparations would be more appropriate. For your dryness around your vulva, use a barrier ointment such as Vaseline or a product such as Dermeze during the day to ease this dryness. Read more information on bladder incontinence or vaginal dryness.
