Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding your body is an important part of sexual health. This raises doubts and medical questions such as the following:
1. What is contraception? How many types are available?
Any method used to prevent pregnancy is contraception. Use of condoms or diaphragms, pills, tubectomy, vasectomy, depot injections, patches and permanent methods such as sterilisation are some of the popular methods of contraception.
2. When can I have an abortion?
Legally, it can be done till 20 weeks. ‘‘Before seven weeks, it can be done with medications. After that until about 10 weeks, a ‘D&C’ (dilation and curettage) can be done. After 11-12 weeks it will involve a process where medicines are used to induce a labour-like process,” explains gynaecologist Dr Uma Raman. The risks of D&C include infection, perforation of the uterus and pain. You can return to your normal menstrual cycles within 6-10 weeks.
3. Will surgically removing my uterus prevent pregnancy?
Surgically removing a woman’s uterus is called hysterectomy. Yes, you can never conceive a child again, but both Uma and Subhashree concur that hysterectomy is not a replacement for contraception or other menstruation problems. “It is used to treat non-cancerous female reproductive system (gynaecologic) conditions that haven’t improved with medical treatment. If you have, for instance, cancer of the uterus, ovary or cervix,
prolapsed or ‘dropped’ uterus, severe pelvic infections, uncontrollable bleeding, a hysterectomy is recommended,” says Dr Subhashree.
4. How many abortions can I have?
There is no prescribed number. “With so many effective contraceptive options, women should not use termination as a contraceptive choice,” says Dr Subhashree, gynaecologist. Each abortion means you run the risk of not being able to maintain pregnancy in future or even get pregnant again. “The inside of your uterus is scraped out and vacuumed. With each procedure you risk complications of surgery, infection, blood clots and even death.”
5. Is menstruation a riskier period to catch STD?
“Absolutely,” says Uma. “A woman’s risk of sexually transmitted disease and infection is higher than normal during this time because the cervix opens to allow blood to pass through. Unfortunately, this creates the perfect pathway for bacteria to travel deep inside the pelvic cavity.” A woman is also more likely to pass on blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis to a partner during her period, and she’s more likely to develop yeast or bacterial infections.
6. What is vaginal discharge?
It is a fluid produced by glands in the vaginal wall and cervix that drains from the opening of the vagina. Normally, the discharge has no odour and the vagina keeps itself clean by producing secretions. But an increase in the discharge, an abnormal odour or consistency of the fluid, itching, irritation or soreness can all be signs of infection or other disorders such as bacterial vaginosis, yeast vaginitis and vaginitis.
7. My periods are irregular. What should I do?
You may be having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It occurs when an imbalance of hormone levels causes cysts in the ovaries. “Usually, women who have PCOS have irregular, infrequent or no menstrual periods. Other symptoms are severe acne, weight gain and obesity, excessive hair growth on the face, nipple area, chest, lower abdomen and thighs,” says Dr Uma. These women more likely to be infertile, suffer from type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol.
8. What are the symptoms of an STD?
Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HPV and Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDs are some of the types of STDs. Symptoms range from unusual discharge from the vagina or penis, burning pain, stinging or irritation when urinating, a sore, blister, ulcer, wart or break in the skin and a rash that appears on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
9. Is there a way to detect breast cancer early?
You can start by doing a self-exam regularly once a month. “Look for a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction (turning inward), redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk,” says Dr Subhashree. Do a regular mammogram. “If you’re 40 and there is no increased family risk, get tested once in two years. Yearly tests are necessary after 50.”
Dispelling some popular myths
From drug adverts to diet books, we hear so much about women’s health that it can be hard to know what’s true. We’ve listed some common myths and the reasons why women should not believe them
1. After menopause, women suffer hot flashes, depression, memory loss, and lose interest in sex
“In reality, for many women, the menopause transition involves relatively minor discomforts that do not require medical intervention or treatment,” says Dr Subhashree. Even for those who suffer from hot flashes or other discomforts, the problems are generally temporary and manageable. “Some women experience vaginal dryness, irritation or pain while having sex, during and after menopause. Such discomfort may be alleviated with vaginal moisturisers or lubricants.”
2. If you use cloth instead of sanitary napkin, you lose your desire to have sex
“Completely baseless,” says Bala Subramanian, a social scientist. “Use of cloth is prevalent among rural women and also in some numbers in the urban population. The main reason for this is that sanitary napkins are expensive. You’re at a higher risk of catching infections by using cloth.”
3. You cannot get breast cancer if nobody in your family has it
A family history of breast cancer (particularly in more than one close relative, such as a mother or sister) does increase a woman’s chance of developing the disease. But about 70 per cent of women who get breast cancer have no family history or known genetic risk.
4. Use of contraception leads to cancer, weight gain, miscarriages and if intake is stopped, it causes infertility
“Women on pills have less risk of cancer of ovaries, uterus and possibly less risk of cancer in the bowel,” says Dr Uma Raman. There is no scientific evidence to link infertility with pills. “Most of the women weigh the same. Pills do not cause miscarriages because they do not even allow the sperm and
the egg to meet.”
5. If you are having your period, you can’t get pregnant
Says Bala, “If you have a short cycle (typically 21 days from first day) you could be ovulating just a few days after your periods. Additionally, sperm can live in the female reproductive system for up to five days. Because some women ovulate at the very end of their menstrual periods, sperm may still be alive at this point, and able to fertilise an egg.” Also, women often mistake slight bleeding (during ovulation) as their period. So unprotected sex at this time can lead to pregnancy.
6. You don’t get an STD if you’re in a monogamous relationship
It is true only if:
a. neither you nor your partner have had a sexual relationship before
b. both of you have been tested for all STDs since the beginning of your relationship
7. People who visit a Sexologist or use sexual health clinics are dirty and promiscuous
Says Dr Narayana Reddy, sexologist, "People who come to us are people with the sense to get tested. Sexual health clinics are completely confidential, and are not allowed, as per law, disclose any information without your permission." People of any age and sexual orientation can visit these clinics.
— lakshmy@epmltd.com
To stop a killer
A trauma born of ignorance