Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers because of its slow growth rate and the preventative methods that are available.
The disease is most commonly caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). The risk of cervical cancer is exacerbated by early sexual contact and multiple sexual partners. There are many different forms of HPV (100 numbered genotypes); 14 of these genotypes are associated with cervical cancer.
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Through education, early detection and support services, Marie Stopes South Africa aims to help those affected by breast cancer.
In our endeavour to provide essential awareness about breast cancer, here is a five-step guide explaining how you can perform a breast self-exam to check for symptoms of breast cancer.
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International Safe Abortion Day takes place annually on 28 September. It’s an international campaign to provide awareness that women have a human right to safe abortion.
There is a global stigma attached to the word ‘abortion’. It seems to be a social taboo that exists but shouldn’t be spoken about and unfortunately, this leads to women seeking ‘backstreet’ abortions, which are illegal, unsafe and often ineffective.
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World Contraception Day takes place on September 26th. The campaign’s mission is to promote awareness, provide support and educate the public about the different methods of contraception that are available.
We embrace the importance of the campaign and have therefore compiled a quick-study guide to educate all women in South Africa about the different types of female contraception. This allows them to make an informed decision about which contraceptive methods suit them best.
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This Women’s Month we launch the I Am campaign: Promoting and celebrating Female Empowerment by proudly claiming the fundamental human rights of all South African Women.
Powerful, self-affirming statements like “I am In Control” and “I am Free” drive the key Marie Stopes ethos of Empowering Women to take control of their futures by providing knowledge and services for women’s sexual and reproductive health.
Tinder is now almost synonymous with millennial dating culture; if you have a single friend, chances are she is on Tinder looking for her next partner! It’s no surprise why, either, it’s a super convenient app which eliminates the need to go to a bar and seek out a suiter, and you can chat with multiple people you are interested in at the same time, all whilst being in your pyjamas and slouching on the sofa – not something you could do if you were trying to impress a date in person, that’s for sure!
Is it true that antibiotics can affect the efficacy of the pill? Common antibiotics like penicillin and amoxicillin are prescribed regularly for a wide range of ailments, and if you’re on the pill, you’ve probably been advised by your doctor to use back-up protection while taking antibiotics. You’ll probably also notice that the information leaflet that comes with your medication offers the same advice. … Read More
Being sex positive means having an open-minded approach to everyone’s consensual sexual choices and behaviours, including your own. It means accepting your choices and others’ as healthy and normal, and not judging people for their preferences. It also means being respectful, regardless of a person’s sexual and reproductive choices, and embracing the rich tapestry that makes up the spectrum of human wants and desires. … Read More
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that causes small, painful blisters that break open and turn into ulcers. There is no cure for herpes, and it’s highly contagious, which means it’s incredibly easy to catch it from a partner during unprotected sex.… Read More
Endometriosis is a painful reproductive system disorder in which the tissue that usually lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Millions of women around the world suffer from endometriosis, which is the leading cause of infertility and chronic pelvic pain.… Read More
