V a nonsurgical procedure intended to treat symptoms such as vaginal laxity , atrophy or dryness , pain during intercourse , urine incontinence as well as uncontrolled wind in post-menopausal women .

KPJ Tawakkal Specialist Hospital Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Patricia Lim Su Lyn pointed out that during menopause the vagina shrinks – so laser therapy is used to stimulate the actual cells to produce more collagen .

“ This helps make the cells plumper which results in better lubrication and libido .”

“ Ladies who are post-menopause also commonly complain of recurrent urine infection . It may be due to stress – when you sneeze or you may stay away from exercise all together or continuously wear a pad to prevent from soiling the undergarment . Vaginal laser therapy helps with this too , as it helps increase the collagen beneath the bladder neck .”

“ Passing wind may be

Vaginal rejuvenation for post-menopausal women

another factor that hinders one from performing prayers . The treatment helps keep this in control as well .”

Patricia explained that the treatment is an outpatient procedure which only takes 15 minutes , after which the patient can continue with their activities as normal .

“ They would have to go through three sessions a month apart . By the second session , they will be able to experience a lot of improvement .”

Although this treatment is available at estheticians , she advised to do with a gynaecologist as side effects include the burning of the vagina if not careful .

GOREDFORWOMEN . ORG

Ageing gracefully

Jojo Struys starting a sound healing session using crystal and metal bowls .

Battling stress and anxieties with sound healing

WELLNESS is all about reaching a state of being in good health , especially as an actively pursued goal . While popping a pill every time we experience a headache caused by stress may seem the norm , there are other paths one may actually pursue .

Every Friday , OhanaJo Founder Jojo Struys runs a class on candlelit moon salutations and sound bath healing . Yoga practitioners might be accustomed to the moon salutations classes however when it comes to sound bath healing , it ’ s still new to many and as unique as it sounds .

Sound healing is the process where the practitioner uses specific aspects of music to improve the health of the ones following . According to Jojo , the sound healing therapy improves many facets of one ’ s life including emotional and social development , cognitive functioning , psychological and psychiatric health .

In her classes , she uses the singing bowl therapy . The sound produced by the metallic bowls is quite similar to a gong or a bell . These bowls are believed to calm and repair the mind as well as reduce stress and anxiety , lower blood pressure , improve breathing and circulation , alleviate aches and pains as well . Above it all , the sounds truly improves the mood of the listeners .

Practitioners going into deep sleep incorporating sleep yoga while the sound healing session is played .

Usually done in accordance with sleep yoga , the sound healing therapy is then played as practitioners fall into a relaxed state at times even dozing off midway through . Practitioners might feel as though the sound is travelling around the room creating a relaxing vibe that is even able to induce some of the practitioners into a lull but also allow some to cry as it is seen as a way to vent out the stress .

With the ability to send the listener into the deep state of relaxation , Jojo believes that this form of therapy will have the ability to subconsciously plant new seeds of positive energy and fresh ideas while breaking negative thinking patterns from the past . So instead of resorting to medication to deal with stress anxieties , sound healing might be the solution to dealing with through the path of wellness . The classes are open to all levels of practitioners as well .

ANTI-AGEING is all about reversing your own age or at least slowing down the process . Generally speaking we cannot stop ageing however with the progress of technology , we can certainly get the pace going slower .

As the process of ageing affects the skin , there are two factors that can be discussed on . One being externally and the other being internally . Externally , common observations include wrinkles , eye bags and loosening of the skin . On the other hand , any effects on the inside is due to the imbalance of hormones .

Treatments for the exterior

A common cause of ageing on the skin can be seen through wrinkles . They come in different forms , such as frown lines and smile lines . This can be treated with a session of botulinum toxin or more commonly known through the brand , Botox . Patients can also maintain the treatment with some radiofrequency treatment .

Eye bags are yet another significant feature of ageing . Usually seen as sunken decolourisation around the eyes , this condition varies from one ethnicity to other with some having a darker effect . In order to treat this , doctors

Wrinkles would usually use Dermafillers .

Sunken decolourisation indicating formation of eyebags .

Dr Douglas Yuen

According to Nexus Group of Clinics Aesthetic physician Dr Douglas Yuen , “ Dermafillers helps to add more volume to the eyes thus solving the cause of eyebags .”

As we age , the skin also loses its elasticity due to the lack of collagen . Skin tightening helps to get the skin back to its former condition through the help of injecting collagens into the skin . Dr Douglas went on to say that the treatments for the issues are only to provide what the skin is lacking and not to add on further chemicals .

Slowing down ageing on your own

Douglas recommends for a daily routine usage of a good amount of sunscreen , moisturiser , toner and serum . As for anti-ageing creams , it is best to consult doctors as some of these creams might not be suitable for those who live in hotter countries .

The HEALTH : October 2018 | Page 25

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