Dr. Ndum

SAFE S*X PRACTICES: PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER

Safe s*x refers to behaviors that help lower the risk of passing or getting STIs and, when desired, help prevent unintended pregnancy. No method is 100% effective in every situation, but several strategies can greatly reduce risk.

Practicing safe s*x can:

‐ Reduce the risk of STIs, including HIV.
- Help prevent unintended pregnancies.
- Encourage trust and open communication between partners.
- Support long-term s*xual and reproductive health.

Safe S*x Practices
- Use condoms correctly and consistently.
External and internal condoms help reduce the risk of many STIs and pregnancy when used properly.
- Consider PrEP for HIV prevention.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily medication that significantly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV. It's an option worth discussing with a healthcare provider, especially for those at higher risk of exposure.
- Get tested for STIs regularly.
Some STIs have no symptoms, so testing is important, especially if you have new or multiple partners.
- Communicate openly with your partner.
Talk about s*xual health, STI testing, contraception, and personal boundaries before becoming s*xually active.
- Limit the number of s*xual partners.
Having fewer partners can reduce exposure to STIs, though anyone who is s*xually active can be at risk.
- Get vaccinated.
Vaccines are available to help protect against infections such as HPV and hepatitis B. HPV vaccination works best when given before someone becomes s*xually active, but it's still recommended up to age 26, and sometimes beyond that based on a provider's advice.
- Know your emergency contraception options.
If a primary method fails or is skipped, emergency contraception can help prevent pregnancy when used soon after. It's a backup, not a replacement for regular contraception.
- Avoid s*x if either partner has symptoms of an STI until evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Symptoms may include sores, unusual discharge, pain during urination, or unexplained rashes.

Common Myths
* Myth: You can tell if someone has an STI just by looking at them.
Fact: Many STIs cause no visible symptoms.
* Myth: Condoms provide perfect protection every time.
Fact: They greatly reduce risk when used correctly, but no method is completely risk-free.
* Myth: Only certain people get STIs.
Fact: Anyone who is s*xually active can get an STI.

Safe s*x is about protecting your health and respecting your partner. By using protection, getting tested, communicating honestly, and making informed choices, you can significantly reduce health risks.

*x *xeducation

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

Emergency contraception refers to methods of contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy after s*xual in*******se. These are recommended for use within 5 days but are more effective the sooner they are used after the act of in*******se.
Emergency contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy by preventing or delaying ovulation and they do not induce an abortion. Emergency contraception cannot interrupt an established pregnancy or harm a developing embryo.
The various types of emergency contraceptive pills are; levonorgestrel (postinor-2, Levonelle, morning after pill), ulipristal acetate (ellaOne).

These drugs can be used be any woman or girl of reproductive age to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. There are no absolute medical contraindications to the use of emergency contraception. There are no age limits for the use of emergency contraception.

Emergency contraception can be used in a number of situations following s*xual in*******se. These include:
-When no contraceptive has been used.
S*xual assault when the woman was not protected by an effective contraceptive method.
-When there is concern of possible contraceptive failure, from improper or incorrect use, such as condom breakage, slippage, or incorrect use.
-Miscalculation of the abstinence period, or failure to abstain or use a barrier method on the fertile days of the cycle when using fertility awareness based methods.

Side effects from the use of Emergency contraceptive pills are; nausea and vomiting, slight irregular va**nal bleeding, and fatigue. Side effects are not common, they are mild, and will normally resolve without further medications.

LET'S PREVENT UNWANTED PREGNANCY AND LIFE HEALTHY LIVES IN HEALTHY COMMUNITIES.

Thanks

For info, WhatsApp:+237680182466
Email: [email protected]

SIGNS OF TRUE LABOUR
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Many women often confuse when there are in labor and can't really tell whether it is true or false labor.
You have likely gone into true labor if you’ve noticed the following signs:

-Strong, frequent contractions which are spaced at regular intervals and become more frequent and stronger as time goes.Real labor contractions last for 30 to 70 seconds each.

-Bloody show(plug of mucus from the va**nal), Belly and lower back pain
You may feel like you’re having strong menstrual cramps, stomach upset or lower abdominal pressure. You could also have pain in your lower back that radiates down into the legs. This pain won’t go away if you change positions.

-Water breaking; for most women, membranes rupture and amniotic fluid leaks after other labor symptoms have already begun and in some women it doesn't break so don't count on it to know you are in labor. Note that membranes breaking 2hrs before the onset of labour is not a good sign.

-Baby drops; if you’re a first-time mom, expect your baby to drop, or descend into your pelvis, a few weeks before labor begins (usually around two to four weeks before, but it can vary).
In subsequent births, this “lightening” doesn't often happen until you’re truly in labor. Your baby is getting into position to make his exit, ideally with the head down and low (and not in the breech position).

-Your cervix, too, is preparing for birth: It starts to dilate (open) and efface (thin out) in the days or weeks before you deliver.

THANKS

CHOLERA

NORMAL AND ABNORMAL VAGINAL DISCHARGE.
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Call 680182466 if you have noticed any of the abnormal discharge.
Vaginal discharge is most often a normal and regular occurrence. However, there are certain types of discharge that can indicate an infection. Abnormal discharge may be yellow or green, chunky in consistency, or foul smell
-White or clear
A bit of white discharge, especially at the beginning or end of your menstrual cycle, is normal. However, if the discharge is accompanied by itching and has a thick, cottage cheese-like consistency or appearance, it’s not normal and needs treatment. This type of discharge may be a sign of a yeast Infection.When discharge is clear but stretchy and mucous-like, rather than watery, it indicates that you are likely ovulating. This is a normal type of discharge.
-Yellow or green
A yellow or green discharge, especially when it’s thick, chunky, or accompanied by an unpleasant smell, isn’t normal. This type of discharge may be a sign of the infection trichomoniasis. It’s commonly spread through s*xual in*******se.
Brown or bloody
Brown or bloody discharge is usually normal, especially when it occurs during or right after your menstrual cycle. A late discharge at the end of your period can look brown instead of red. You may also experience a small amount of bloody discharge between periods. This is called spotting.If spotting occurs during the normal time of your period and you’ve recently had s*x without protection, this could be a sign of pregnancy. Spotting during an early phase of pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage.
In rare cases, brown or bloody discharge can be a sign of endometrial or cervical cancer.

TIPS ON HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE VAGINAL
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Call or message 680182466 if you need any help.
Many women experience uncomfortable, va**nal infections at one time or another. The area around the entrance to the va**na (v***a) can also become irritated.Not all va**nal infections are alike and home treatments can worsen some types. If you have any concerns about your va**nal health, or notice unusual va**nal discharge, call 680182466.
The v***a is the area of female s*x organs that lies outside of the va**na. These organs include folds of sensitive tissue called the l***a. The l***a has two parts. The outermost folds are called the l***a majora. A second set of folds, called the l***a minora, is enclosed within the l***a majora. The mounded area made by the p***c bone (mons p***s), a small, round organ (cl****is), and the openings of the va**na and urinary ca**l (urethra).
Vaginal infections occur when bacteria, funguses or other organisms grow uncontrolled. Some of these organisms already live in the va**na and are kept at healthy levels by coexisting with other organisms. Infectious organisms can also be introduced into the va**na by improper hygiene or unsafe s*x.
TIPS;
Use warm water to wash the v***a. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel.
The va**na cleanses itself naturally in the form of normal, va**nal discharge. Avoid using douches unless prescribed by your Doctor. These products can upset the natural balance of organisms.
Wear only white, 100 percent cotton underwear.
Avoid wearing G-strings.
Use tampons instead of sanitary napkins to control menstrual bleeding. (Do not use deodorant tampons.) Do not leave tampons in for a long period, due to toxic shock syndrome.
Avoid nylon panties;They trap heat and moisture, providing an ideal breeding environment for organisms.
Avoid these feminine hygiene products, which can irritate the v***a: sanitary pads, feminine spray and deodorants, scented oils, bubble baths, bath oils, talc or powder.

CHLAMYDIA
Chlamydia is a common s*xually transmitted disease. Chlamydial infection, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, it can infect both men and women. Women can get chlamydia in the cervix, re**um, or throat. Men can get chlamydia in the urethra (inside the p***s), re**um, or throat.
What causes chlamydia?
It’s caused by bacteria (tiny, living cells) called Chlamydia trachomatis.
They can live in the uterus (womb), va**na and cervix (entrance to the womb), the urethra (tube where urine comes out), the re**um (back passage), and sometimes the throat and eyes.
Anyone who’s s*xually active can get it and pass it on. You don’t need to have lots of s*xual partners.Unprotected (without a condom) va**nal or a**l s*x
Sharing s*x toys that aren’t washed or covered with a new condom each time they’re used. It can be spread by giving or receiving oral s*x (going down, giving head) with someone who has chlamydia. The risk can be lowered by using a condom or dam (latex or soft Plastic Square) to cover the ge****ls.
If infected semen or va**nal fluid comes into contact with the eye (for example if it’s transferred from the ge****ls to the eye by the fingers) it can cause conjunctivitis (infection or irritation of the eye).
Chlamydia can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby.
You can’t get chlamydia from kissing, hugging, sharing baths or towels, swimming pools, toilet seats or from sharing cups, plates or cutlery
Women

Bleeding between periods and/or heavier periods (including women who are using hormonal contraception)
Bleeding after s*x
Pain and/or bleeding when you have s*x
Lower abdominal pain (pelvic pain)
An unusual va**nal discharge
Pain when passing urine
If the infection spreads, you might get lower abdominal pain, pain during s*x, nausea, or fever.

Men

A white/cloudy or watery discharge from the tip of the p***s
Pain when passing urine
Pain in the testicles

SIGNS OF ABORTION/MISCARRIAGE
Abortion is a medical term for the disruption of a pregnancy before the fetus reaches its viable age of more than 20 to 24 weeks of gestation or weighs at least 500g. It is the loss of pregnancy and does not reffer on why the pregnancy was lost. Abortion which occurs on its own (spontaneously) is known as Miscarriage and if a woman has 3 consecutive miscarriages it is term habitual or recurrent abortion. If you notice the following signs seek health care attention immediately;
Vaginal spotting. Vaginal spotting appears as small brownish to reddish spots of bloodcoming out of the woman’s va**nal opening. This usually occurs when the cervix slightly dilates because the woman may have tried to lift heavy objects or mild trauma to the abdomen occurred.
Vaginal bleeding. Bleedingis a serious occurrence during pregnancy because it might indicate that the cervix has opened and products of conception might be expelled.
Cramping/sharp/dull painin the symphysis p***s. This could occur on both sides and could be caused by trauma or premature contractions that might cause cervical dilation.
Uterine contractions felt by the mother.Uterine contractions can be false or true, but either of the two could be alarming during the early stages of pregnancy because it could expel the contents of the uterus thereby leading to abortion.

MENSTRUATION
Definition
Menstruation is the female reproductive cycle that is characterized by the bleeding of the uterus as a response to the system of hormonal changes.
During the menstrual cycle, the o**m reaches its maturity, and a new uterine bed is made ready for the implantation of the fertilized ova.
Characteristics
The regular menstrual flow has certain features that determine if you are indeed shedding normally every month.

The average age wherein the onset of menstruation occurs is at the age of 12.4 years old.
The usual average range of age of onset is 9-17 years old.
The average interval in between cycles is 28 days. Cycles that range from 23-35 days is also normal.
The average duration of menstrual flow is 2-7 days, but a range of 1-9 days is not unusual.
The average amount of menstrual flow is 30-80 mL.
The normal color of menstrual flow is dark red, which is a combination of blood, mucus, and endometrial cells.
The normal odor of a menstrual flow is likened to the smell of marigolds.
Physiology
A lot of hands are plunging in during the process of the menstrual cycle. If hands ultimately mean the organs and other parts of the body, then the process will go like a cycle just as long as these assistants are there to perform their task.

The menstrual cycle is initiated by the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, which is released mainly by the hypothalamus.
With puberty, the hypothalamus becomes less sensitive to the estrogen feedback that results in the release of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone or GnRH.
From the hypothalamus, the GnRH travels toward the pituitary gland to signal the release of the follicle-stimulating hormone and the luteinizing hormone.
The FSH is responsible for the maturation of the o**m.
The LH is responsible for the ovulation and the thickening of the uterine lining during menstruation.
FSH then activates one primordial follicle from the ovaries to grow and mature.
When the follicle reaches full maturity, it is now called tthe Graafian follicle.
The pituitary gland releases LH, then the prostaglandins that are released ruptures the Graafian follicle.
Ovulation takes place, and the o**m is swept into the fallopian tube.
The LH acts upon the follicle cells of the o***y and in turn, it produces a yellow fluid that is called lutein.
Lutein fills the empty follicle, which is now termed as the corpus luteum.
If conception does not occur, the unfertilized o**m will atrophy after 4 to 5 days.

Kwashiorkor vs Marasmus.