Use period cups properly ‘to avoid complications'
Women have been urged to make sure they position period cups correctly after medics reported a rare case where use of a menstrual cup was linked to kidney problems.
Menstrual cups are an alternative to pads and tampons.
They are made from silicone and work by collecting blood, rather than absorbing it like other period products.
Unlike single-use items, they are washed and can be used again.
The products have grown in popularity in recent years, but users are now being urged to make sure they are choosing the correct cup size and know how to insert the cups properly.
It comes after medics documented rare complications linked to a cup in BMJ Case Reports.
Experts from Denmark highlighted how lopsided placement blocked urine flow into the bladder of a woman in her 30s.
The woman sought medical care due to intermittent pain in her side and blood in her urine.
Scans revealed a swollen right kidney and ureter — the tube that carries urine away from the kidneys.
The scans also showed that her menstrual cup was placed in the right side of her vagina, next to the opening of the ureter into the bladder.
As a result they asked the woman not to use the cup and return for tests a month later.
The second round of tests revealed that the swelling had gone down and that her urine function was normal.
Medics said that the positioning of the cup had obstructed the flow of urine from the right ureter.
The woman was diagnosed with ureterohydronephrosis – the swelling of one or both kidneys which occurs when the body does not fully empty urine.
The physicians said that the complication was 'rare' but urged women and doctors to be aware of the possible side effects.
'Complications of menstrual cup usage are probably few, but poorly described,' they wrote.
'A few cases of more serious complications including effects on the upper urinary tract have been reported, including the present case.
'The increasing use of menstrual cups calls for more knowledge on complication rates to enlighten both users and clinicians.
'Users of menstrual cups should be made aware of symptoms that call for medical evaluation and receive the necessary information to be able to choose the correct cup size, material, shape, and insertion method.
'Clinicians ought to include it in their differential diagnoses in women with menstrual cups.'
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Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
The telltale sign you've recently had oral sex revealed – and your dentist can tell immediately
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WORRIED about getting a telling off at the dentist for skipping the odd floss, or indulging in a few too many sweet treats? It turns out that's not all they're on the lookout for. From biting your nails and smoking to thumb sucking and chewing on ice, dentists are trained to identify a range of issues that affect your oral hygiene - as well as your overall health. 3 Your dentist can tell a lot about your oral habits just from looking inside your mouth And that includes the more embarrassing ones too. Dentists have revealed that in some cases they can spot if a patient has recently given oral sex to a man. Dr Rohini Agarwal, a dentist at SmileCloud Family Dental, has over a decade of experience in general and cosmetic dentistry. She said a condition known as palatal petechiae can be a telltale sign. "A dentist may well notice certain signs in the mouth - although these aren't definitive proof of oral sex," she explained. "Palatal petechiae describes small red spots on the roof of the mouth and can result from suction or trauma. "But it's important to note they can also be caused by coughing, vomiting, or even eating hard foods." The reddish spots associated with palatal petechiae are usually less than 2 mm in diameter and are generally painless and not itchy. A report published in 2013 detailed a young woman who had given oral sex to a male and had "fellatio-associated palatal petechiae". The authors said it can potentially occur in anyone who engages in receptive penile oral sex. There's a spot in your mouth that reveals whether you've given oral sex - and dentists on TikTok are explaining it Dr Laura Geige, a cosmetic dermatology and facials specialist and GDC-registered dentist, also said in some cases she can spot if a patient has given oral sex. She said: "The most common sign we see is palatal petechiae, small, red spots that appear on the soft palate due to minor trauma or suction. "But other signs could include irritation in the back of the throat, redness, or even minor bruising, depending on intensity and frequency." Is palatal petechiae cause for concern? 3 Palatal petechiae - but in this case, caused by strep throat Credit: BMJ Case Reports Palatal petechiae isn't typically a cause for concern, said Dr Agarwal, and certainly doesn't indicate an increased risk of cancer. It's often caused by coughing, vomiting, eating hard foods, and in some cases oral sex. But Dr Geige noted it can sometimes be caused by serious infections like strep throat or a blood disorder. A study conducted in 2016 examined 100 children and adolescents (4-17 years old) presenting with sore throat. The researchers evaluated the accuracy of the Centor criteria (fever, tonsillar exudate, anterior cervical lymphadenopathy, and absence of cough) with and without the addition of palatal petechiae. They found patients with palatal petechiae were more likely to have a positive throat culture for strep compared to those with only tonsillar exudates. Health risks of oral sex ONE of the greatest health risks from oral sex is sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There's a risk not just to your overall health but also to your mouth, teeth, and throat. For example, an untreated STI oral infection can impact your gums, cause sores in the mouth, and human papillomavirus (HPV) can even contribute to life-threatening conditions like mouth cancer. The most common STIs spread through oral sex are: Chlamydia HPV Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) In the UK, it's estimated that around 35 out of 100 mouth cancers are linked to HPV, according to Cancer Research UK. Symptoms of mouth cancer can affect any part of your mouth including the gums, tongue, inside the cheeks, or lips. Symptoms can include: a mouth ulcer in your mouth that lasts more than three weeks a red or white patch inside your mouth a lump inside your mouth or on your lip pain inside your mouth difficulty swallowing difficulty speaking or a hoarse (croaky) voice a lump in your neck or throat losing weight without trying If you experience any of these symptoms, see your GP. Symptoms may also be picked up during a routine dental check up. To protect yourself from STIs during oral sex, using a condom or dental dam is the most effective method. Source: Oral Health Foundation /NHS The addition of palatal petechiae to the Centor criteria improved the accuracy of clinical diagnosis of strep throat in the study population. A blood disorder known as thrombocytopenia is the most common cause of palatal petechiae - a condition where there are fewer platelets than normal in the blood. Low platelet levels interfere with blood clotting, leading to easy bruising and bleeding, including petechiae. Because there are a number of potential causes for palatal petechiae, Dr Geige said: "Context is key when evaluating oral health." Can dentists tell WHEN you gave oral sex? 3 A dentist may be able to tell if oral sex was recent Credit: Getty If palatal petechiae is caused by oral sex, it can be difficult to pinpoint when it occurred, added Dr Greige. She explained: " Petechiae and minor irritation typically heal within a few days, so if I notice them, I can tell that the trauma was recent but I can't pinpoint an exact time frame." Occasional palatal petechiae from trauma doesn't increase cancer risk. But Dr Geige did warn how repeated trauma and exposure to certain infections like HPV could contribute to long-term risks. She added: "I stress that it's always best to maintain good oral hygiene and stay informed about potential risks."
Daily Mail
22-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Doctors warn of rise in terrifying flesh-eating genital disease - and grooming mistake could be to blame
British gynaecologists have been warned of a startling rise in cases of a deadly flesh-eating disease that affects patients' genitals. Medically known as necrotising fasciitis, doctors from Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said they had seen 20 confirmed incidences over the last two years - compared to 18 over the previous decade. While the cause of the spike was unknown, the medics said it could be a due to a rise in bacterial infections or from lowered immunity due to the Covid lockdown. To demonstrate the dangers, they highlighted three cases whereby women had contracted the flesh-eating disease in their vulva, the external parts of female genitalia. In one case recorded by the report authors, the woman died mere hours after being admitted. Experts in the field have suggested the disease could be caused by injuries that result from shaving the intimate area, or even rough sex. Necrotising fasciitis occurs when bacteria enters an existing wound and infiltrates the deeper layers of the skin. Once there the bacteria begin to multiply and spread rapidly over mere hours. As they do so they release toxins that destroy tissue, giving the condition its 'flesh-eating' nickname. The authors, who published their report in the journal BMJ Case Reports, said they wanted to raise awareness of necrotising fasciitis in the genital region. 'This case series aims to raise awareness of this life-threatening condition among gynaecologists and hence prevent delay in diagnosis and treatment crucial to avoid poor patient outcomes,' they wrote. The first patient detailed — the most serious of the three — noticed she had developed a small spot on her mons pubis the area of fatty tissue located just above the genitals. At first, she waited to see if it would resolve on its own but later sought help from her GP who — suspecting it was skin infection — gave her a basic course of antibiotics. However, the spot and her health deteriorated over the next five days. WHAT IS NECROTISING FASCIITIS? Necrotising fasciitis is most commonly caused by an infection with group A Streptococcus. Those infections normally last just a few days - they are mild and typically clear themselves up. But in some unusual cases it can develop into necrotising fasciitis. They infect flat layers of a membrane known as the fascia, which are connective bands of tissue that surround muscles, nerves, fat, and blood vessels. The infection also damages the tissues next to the fascia. Sometimes toxins made by these bacteria destroy the tissue they infect, causing it to die. When this happens, the infection is very serious and can result in loss of limbs or death. After seeking help at A&E it was discovered necrotising fasciitis had taken hold, spreading from the spot to her outer labia, as well as her through her lower abdomen in general. Despite medics rushing to cut away the dead tissue the patient died from sepsis, an immune system reaction to an infection, just 28 hours after being diagnosed. The second patient sought emergency help with a 3cm lump in her vulval region that turned out be abscess a build-up of pus from an infection. Medics noted that over the next 12 hours the upper third of the patient's outer labia 'broke down' due to the flesh-eating disease. She would end up needing three operations to remove the dead tissue as well as reconstructive surgery to restore the look of her genitalia. The last patient, in contrast to the other cases, suffered necrotising fasciitis in her vulval region after a scheduled hysterectomy — a procedure that removes the womb. This patient came back to hospital complaining of discomfort at the operation site and a fever. Investigations then found dead tissue and she was rushed for an operation to cut this away. She survived but medics noted that she had been left in significant pain and discomfort from this operation, and she was currently waiting for follow-up care. Professor Bill Sullivan, an expert in microbiology and immunology at Indiana University, who was not involved in the case report, said necrotising fasciitis can occur anywhere in the body which suffers a wound. He said cases in the female genital region had numerous potentially be causes. 'Vaginal necrotising fasciitis could be contracted through rough sex, a piercing, or cosmetic and surgical procedures,' he told Live Science. Other nicks and scrapes, for example via personal grooming, are another potential trigger. 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Previous studies in the US have found only about half of patients who contract vulval necrotising fasciitis survive. Initial signs of necrotising fasciitis include intense pain or numbness around a cut or wound, swelling in the affected area, and flu like symptoms like a fever and fatigue. This later develops to vomiting and diarrhoea, mental confusion and black, purple or grey blotches or blisters emerging on the skin. Necrotising fasciitis is a medical emergency and anyone with these symptoms is advised by the NHS to call 999 or be taken to A&E.
The Independent
11-02-2025
- The Independent
Use period cups properly ‘to avoid complications'
Women have been urged to make sure they position period cups correctly after medics reported a rare case where use of a menstrual cup was linked to kidney problems. Menstrual cups are an alternative to pads and tampons. They are made from silicone and work by collecting blood, rather than absorbing it like other period products. Unlike single-use items, they are washed and can be used again. The products have grown in popularity in recent years, but users are now being urged to make sure they are choosing the correct cup size and know how to insert the cups properly. It comes after medics documented rare complications linked to a cup in BMJ Case Reports. Experts from Denmark highlighted how lopsided placement blocked urine flow into the bladder of a woman in her 30s. The woman sought medical care due to intermittent pain in her side and blood in her urine. The increasing use of menstrual cups calls for more knowledge on complication rates to enlighten both users and clinicians BMJ Case Reports Scans revealed a swollen right kidney and ureter — the tube that carries urine away from the kidneys. The scans also showed that her menstrual cup was placed in the right side of her vagina, next to the opening of the ureter into the bladder. As a result they asked the woman not to use the cup and return for tests a month later. The second round of tests revealed that the swelling had gone down and that her urine function was normal. Medics said that the positioning of the cup had obstructed the flow of urine from the right ureter. The woman was diagnosed with ureterohydronephrosis – the swelling of one or both kidneys which occurs when the body does not fully empty urine. The physicians said that the complication was 'rare' but urged women and doctors to be aware of the possible side effects. 'Complications of menstrual cup usage are probably few, but poorly described,' they wrote. 'A few cases of more serious complications including effects on the upper urinary tract have been reported, including the present case. 'The increasing use of menstrual cups calls for more knowledge on complication rates to enlighten both users and clinicians. 'Users of menstrual cups should be made aware of symptoms that call for medical evaluation and receive the necessary information to be able to choose the correct cup size, material, shape, and insertion method. 'Clinicians ought to include it in their differential diagnoses in women with menstrual cups.'
