Q: WHEN I was a baby, I had an operation on my stomach. Over the years (35, to be exact) the scar has stretched and grown harder. Could you please tell me how scar tissue forms? Dr Rose writes: Scar tissue is formed both on the skin and on internal wounds. It is the body's way of repairing a wound, lesion or ulcer. The body increases the production of collagen, a tough, fibrous material at the site of the damage. The collagen then helps to form new tissue to cover the damaged area.
A narrow and pale scar will result if the edges of the incision or wound are brought closely together with stitches. When the edges are left apart, when stitches are not used, a type of pink tissue called granualation tissue grows from the exposed tissueand develops into tough scar tissue.
If the site of the wound is infected, an unsightly scar may develop.
As you grow, the scar tissue stretches and grows with you. Some Asians have increased scar formation because of an exaggerated immune response. As a result, their scars may be harder and more prominent.
Q: Is douching dangerous? My partner and I enjoy oral sex but I am quite turned off by my partner's vaginal odour, which I understand some actually enjoy. Should I ask my partner to douche? Dr Rose writes: No, you should not ask your partner to douche. Most women have a slight vaginal odour which varies during the menstrual cycle. Gentle cleansing of the external folds of the genitals with soap and water is usually enough to prevent vaginalodours since the vagina cleanses itself naturally.
Douching involves rinsing the vaginal walls with a handheld bag and tube with an attached nozzle containing cleaning fluids such as vinegar and betadine. In the past, women used douching as a means of contraception and douched after sexual intercourse. Doctors often recommended douching to get rid of infection and many women, concerned about vaginal odours, also douched regularly.
Although many women continue to douche today, doctors no longer recommend it because of its high risk of infection. If the nozzle is not cleaned properly between use, infection can easily be introduced into the vagina. In addition, douching can spread an existing vaginal infection into the uterus and fallopian tubes and interfere with the vagina's ability to fight infection. In addition, douching as a method of birth control is only 60 per cent effective.