Ask the Nurse

Answers for your specific questions.

Wondering about your health? Confused by what you’ve read? Browse our Ask the Nurse answer archive to find answers to many women's health questions and concerns. All answers are from a Cleveland Clinic women's health nurse.

Ask the Nurse Archive

Sexual Function

January 15, 2019 at 11:52am

I am almost 50 years old and have been married 22 years. I have to have direct stimulation to the clitoris using a massager to climax, whereas before I didn’t. What is the issue? When I was younger I had some trauma to the genitals from a bike accident. I want to enjoy my husband without having to use “toys." It makes me feel less than what I was. When I mention this problem to my GYN, we did blood work, which found I have low white blood cells. Expensive testing, but no cancer, but still no answers for this either.

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Is it safe to have sex while using Intrarosa®?

January 15, 2019 at 11:46am

My OB/GYN prescribed me vaginal Prasterone/DHEA/Intrarosa® for premenopausal vaginal PH issues causing me discomfort and infections. My husband and I engage in sex before I put the Intrarosa in, however my questions are:

  1. Is it safe to have oral sex since I used the medication the night before?
  2. Is it already absorbed and gone?
  3. Will it harm my husband?

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Topical Creams Vs Vaginal Gels

January 15, 2019 at 11:37am

I was accidentally prescribed metronidazole topical cream versus metro vaginal gel. Can the cream also be used intravaginally?

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Is Bacterial Vaginosis a Sexually Transmitted Infection?

January 10, 2019 at 11:36am

Can you catch Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) from having sexual activity?

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What Does An Unusually Heavy Period Mean?

January 9, 2019 at 11:22am

I am 26 years old and my period has always been regular, lasting 3 to 4 days. I am married and sexually active, only using a pull out method. My cycle was late by 4 days last month and lasted 8 days. It was very heavy and painful, not my usual cycle.

I have taken a pregnancy test and it was negative, but now my worry is that implantation happened the same time as my period days. If it did, when will I be able to tell with a home pregnancy test? I want to say I miscarried last month, but I have no other symptoms so far. I am worried because I do drink alcohol regularly.

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Does Magnesium Help Treat Migraine?

January 8, 2019 at 9:31am

Does magnesium help treat migraine?

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What is Causing My Hip and Back Pain?

January 3, 2019 at 11:47am

I am age 66 and I hurt on my right hip and lower back. I can hardly get out of bed at times! I am sexually active, have had my tubes tied and have not had any periods for several years. Could this be a tubal pregnancy? Could this be a bladder infection? I do drink water, but how much should I drink?

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How Do I Treat Bacterial Vaginosis?

January 3, 2019 at 11:41am

What is the best thing that I can do to ignore the pain and itching of Bacterial Vaginosis?

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What is the price of Solosec®/Secnidazole?

January 3, 2019 at 11:37am

What is the price of Solosec®/Secnidazole? My insurance does not cover it.

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Can it hurt a woman to have multiple orgasms?

December 14, 2018 at 10:32am

Is there any harm in women achieving multiple orgasms in a short window of time?

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