Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing a hormone called oestrogen which controls your reproductive cycle. A woman goes into menopause when she has not had a period for longer than 12 months. If you are still having regular periods, it is possible to have an unplanned pregnancy. Marie Stopes South Africa offers a safe…
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition caused by a hormonal imbalance; this creates problems with your ovaries and can heighten the chances of you becoming infertile (inability to fall pregnant.) PCOS can either compromise the development of the egg or may cause it to not be released from the ovaries, meaning that it cannot…
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…
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections that women experience, with roughly one out of two women affected at least once in her life. That means if you’re a woman, there’s a fifty percent chance you’ve either had a UTI or will be affected by one in your lifetime.
We may be well into the 21st century, but widespread stigma still exists around HIV/Aids – and, according to Huffington Post, may be even more dangerous than the disease itself.
With summer in full swing, you may be looking for an alternative to your sanitary pad. Don’t sweat it – we’ve got you covered! Here are some great alternatives to see you through the summer and beyond.
Rape is one of the prevalent crimes in South Africa, with horrifying statistics growing each day. You may be shocked to learn that even the stomach-churning stats you see in the news don’t accurately reflect the extent of this crime in South Africa – or perhaps you wouldn’t be. Perhaps you, like thousands of other…
We heard a lot about diabetes on World Diabetes Day on 14 November, but how much do you actually know about the disease that affects around 3.5 million South Africans – and more critically, are you at risk? There are another estimated five million South Africans with pre-diabetes – that is, the propensity to develop…
Postpartum depression, also known as post-natal depression, affects around 10% to 40% of new mothers. Ironically, despite its prevalence, there still exists a great stigma around postpartum depression – the feeling that you’re so overwhelmed or depressed by motherhood, that you have no interest in caring for your child, or feel completely unable to. It’s…
Being overweight or obese can significantly increase your chances of many serious diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. This is because the extra fat in your body can have harmful side effects, like producing hormones and proteins that affect how your cells function. Cancer is the result of abnormal cell growth, and studies have…