Bye-bye BO!

At 46 years young, my friend Carrie was suffering from syndromes unknown to her: hot flashes, itchiness, irritability, loss of libido, and vaginal dryness. Because of the latter condition, she noticed that she started to avoid intimacy with her distraught husband as she was feeling more pain than pleasure. 

Gynecologist and Beverly Hills 6750 director Dr. Abe Marinduque explains that Carrie’s case is not rare.  Carrie is entering that phase in a woman’s life when the hormones, particularly estrogen, are diminishing.  This painful phase in a woman’s life is called menopause and some women have it more severe than others.  Forty-six is a bit too young to experience full-blown menopausal symptoms as it usually hits women during the golden years.  But each case is different from the next. Whatever your symptoms are, it is best to be monitored by your gynecologist, as you would not wish to go through many years of your life feeling hot and sweaty (even in cool weather), irritable, itchy, and dry!

Characterized by tightness due to lack of moisture in the vaginal walls, resulting in pain and discomfort, vaginal atrophy can be considered the worst condition menopause brings.  

The good news to women like Carrie is there is a medical breakthrough that is approved by the FDA in the USA as it is scientifically proven safe and effective.  The new product is Replens and it is now available in the Philippines. 

Replens is made with polycarbophil, (which reduces vaginal pH to its physiological range, is a large molecule that is neither absorbed into the blood stream nor immunogenic; adheres to the vaginal epithelial cells for three to five days, and buffers vaginal secretions), hydrogenated palm oil, and mineral oil.  Replens has no hormones and is estrogen-free but it is a true moisturizer, delivering continuous moisture for up to three days.  This helps to rejuvenate vaginal lining and dry skin cells and when used regularly, replenishes your natural vaginal moisture.  Replens makes sexual intercourse more comfortable by restoring vaginal moisture.  It also makes intercourse more spontaneous as the woman is moisturized for days.  It is a safe alternative to your hormone replacement therapy.

Replens comes in hygienic, easy-to-use applicators and is designed to deposit the recommended amount of moisturizer.

While Replens deals with vaginal dryness, a new product Rephresh (also FDA-approved) deals with vaginal odor and vaginal infections.  It is colorless, odorless, and long lasting. One application can last for three days.

Rephresh balances your pH and begins eliminating odor immediately after the first use.

Dr. Abe Marinduque explains that vaginal odor is often about pH balance, not bad hygiene. Rephresh balances your pH and begins eliminating odor immediately after the first use.

Rephresh is best used during the times you are most susceptible to higher pH levels, such as after your period, before and after unprotected sex, and after douching.  If you experience the symptoms of odor, itching, and irritation on a regular basis, use Rephresh every three days to maintain a healthy pH.  Take note, Rephresh contains no spermicides  and should not be used as a form of contraception.

Rephresh comes in gel-filled, wrapped disposable applicators.

Both products are available upon request at all Mercury Drug stores nationwide.  For Inquiries, call New Marketlink Pharmaceutical Corp. at 836-5838 to 47.