Female sexual health: Top 5 things to know

Top 5 sexual health checks for women 

Women face a unique set of sexual healthcare issues that can be different to men’s. Knowing what to look out for, and which annual checks to have, can keep you healthy and detect illness or chronic ailments as early as possible.

Ladies, here are the top five health issues you should be focusing on:

1. Breast exams

Women of all ages should perform breast self-exams at least once a month. While mammograms can help you to detect cancer before you can feel a lump, breast self-exams help you to become familiar with how your breasts look and feel so you can alert your healthcare professional if there are any changes. We can direct you to clinic or hospital that performs mammograms.

2. Pap smears

A pap smear is a screening test for cancerous cells in the cervix. It’s recommended that all sexually active women have a pap smear once a year. The procedure works by detecting pre-cancerous cells, which can then be treated or removed before they lead to cervical cancer. Book an appointment for a painless, affordable pap smear now.

3. Contraceptives

Every sexually active woman who is not ready to have children must have a reliable contraceptive method in place. Whether you prefer the pill, the injection or long-term contraceptives like the loop, we can help you to select the method that will best suit your body, your needs and your lifestyle. We can also provide emergency contraception in the form of the emergency pill.

4. STI screening

If you are sexually active, and especially if you have multiple partners each year, it’s highly advisable to get tested for STIs annually. Many STIs have few or no symptoms, so you may be living with an STI without even realising it. Getting tested for HIV and STIs is quick and painless, and many STIs can be successfully treated if they’re caught early.

5.Safe sex

To give yourself the best protection against STIs and HIV, you should always use dual protection – i.e.: contraceptives plus a condom. While contraceptives can protect you against unplanned pregnancy, condoms will protect you against infections. If you haven’t practiced safe sex 100% of the time, get to your nearest sexual health clinic as soon as possible to get tested for STIs, HIV and chronic disease.

Where to go to get tested

Marie Stopes offers pap smears, contraceptive advice, STI and HIV screening, and safe sex advice. We can also give you advice on breast self-exams, or direct you to your nearest breast screening clinic.

All our services are offered in a totally private and comfortable environment, and our nurses are trained to provide all the information and support you need.

Take a load off your shoulders – book an appointment at Marie Stopes clinic and discover for yourself just how simple it is to take care of your health.