What is whooping cough? Whooping cough is caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis. The disease is known to cause uncontrollable, violent coughing fits, which often make it hard to breathe. After such a fit, patients usually need to take deep breaths, which produces a whooping sound. How does whooping cough spread? Whooping cough, also
Read moreThis is commonly know as thrush and is a very common vaginal infection. It is caused by yeast (candida) which lives naturally in the bowel and, in small numbers, in the vagina. Listed below are some tips on preventing vaginal candidiasis and its recurrence. Be more careful about following these tips before your menstrual period or
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1. What are they? Uterine Fibroids are muscle swellings that are found in the womb. They are usually not cancerous. 2. Who are affected? Fibroids are very common in women. They occur in about 20% of women. They are commonly found in women between the ages of 35-45 years old. They are more common in
Read moreDoes PMS exist? Each month before your period you may have realised that you seem to change as a person for a few days, and then as your period starts you begin to feel better. A couple of weeks pass and the unpleasant feelings recur. At some stage you may have asked yourself ” Do
Read morePolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone problem. The term ‘polycystic ovaries’ describes the appearance of the ovaries on an ultrasound scan. The symptoms that many women describe include irregular periods; increased hair growth; acne; obesity; and problems getting pregnant. Polycystic ovaries contain many small follicles. On an ultrasound scan there may be 12
Read moreDuring a woman’s menstrual cycle her ovaries will develop a dominant follicle (or small sac) which contains an egg. Fourteen days after the start of a woman’s last period this follicle will have grown, the egg mature and is released (or ovulated). The egg then survives for about 24 hours during which time it moves
Read moreWhat is ovarian cystectomy? Ovarian cystectomy is a surgical procedure that is intended to remove one or more cysts from one or both of the ovaries. Why do I need this surgery? Ovarian cystectomy may be performed electively or as an emergency operation to remove the cyst. It may also alleviate symptoms, such as pain,
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Believe it or not, every menstruating woman produces a cyst every normal menstrual cycle. But sometimes these cysts keep growing- that’s when they become a problem. The most common ovarian cysts are called functional cysts because they result from the function of the ovaries. Every month an ovary releases an egg, which has matured inside
Read moreOvarian Cancer The ovaries are the female reproductive organs, which contain the ova (eggs). Ovaries also release the female hormone estrogen, which helps support pregnancy and contributes to females sexual characteristics. A gradual decline in estrogen production normally takes place in women between the ages of 48 and 52. at the same time, the monthly
Read moreWhat is myomectomy? Myomectomy is the surgical removal of fibroids, leaving the uterus intact, which can preserve fertility. The procedure is performed either through an open incision in the abdomen (abdominal myomectomy) or by “keyhole” surgery (laparoscopic myomectomy). Doctors will decide which procedure to use based on the type and location of your fibroid(s). The
Read moreWhat is Menopause? Literally menopause means the last period. The term ‘the menopause’ is commonly used to refer to the time around when menstrual periods stop or when a woman experiences symptoms associated with the end of menstruation. Leading up to menopause the periods may alter, occurring less frequently, irregularly or with increasing frequency. The
Read moreHow exactly does laser technology helps to “rejuvenate”, tighten the vagina or improve stress urinary incontinence? A non-ablative Erbium YAG (Er:YAG) laser is used to produce thermal effects in the vaginal tissue which stimulates collagen remodelling and the synthesis of new collagen fibres, thus restoring the elasticity of the connective structures of the vaginal wall
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Why exercise during pregnancy? Some women wish to exercise during pregnancy because they were doing regular exercise before they became pregnant and wish to continue. Other women who have not done regular exercise before, see pregnancy as a good time to start a regular exercise program. EFFECTS ON THE MOTHER OF EXERCISE DURING PREGNANCY Cardiovascular
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Methods of pain relief childbirth Pain varies enormously from person to person, and labour to labour. The technique of pain relief that best keeps you comfortable and able to cope is the one best suited for you. Who needs an epidural? Epidural anaestthesia is the most significant advance in the relief of pain during labour. Many
Read moreWhat is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial tissue outside the cavity of the uterus. It is most commonly found in the ovaries (chocolate cyst), fallopian tubes, tissues that hold the uterus in place and outer wall of the uterus. Rarely, it may be found in the other body sites such as the lungs,
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A hysteroscopy is an examination of the inside of the womb (uterus). This is done using a hysteroscope, a narrow telescope about the size of a drinking straw, which can be passed through the cervix (neck of the womb) so that the gynaecologist can see into the uterus. A tiny video camera will be fitted
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Diabetes is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough insulin or does not utilize insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that allows sugar to enter cells, where it can be turned into energy. In untreated diabetes, high levels of sugar can accumulate in the blood and damage organs, including blood vessels, eyes and kidneys. Some individuals with diabetes need daily insulin injections to prevent these complications. About one in I00 women of childbearing age has diabetes before pregnancy (preexisting
Read moreWhat is a cone biopsy? A cone biopsy is a minor operation where a cylindrical or cone-shaped piece of the cervix, including the abnormal cells, is removed. This is sent for pathological examination to confirm the diagnosis and to ensure that all the abnormal cells have been removed. Why is it performed? It is usually
Read moreVaginal Candidiasis Causes This is a vagina infection caused by a fungus, Candida albicans, which lives in small numbers inside the vagina. The infection manifests when the vagina becomes acidic. This is linked to various factors: menstruation, pregnancy, diabetes, antibiotics, steroids, immune suppression, AIDS, thyroid disorders, vaginal allergies and higher dose birth control pills. Symptoms Itching
Read moreWhat is Caesarean Section? Caesarean section is a surgical operation in which an obstetrician makes an opening in the mother’s abdomen and womb and delivers the baby through it. When is C-Section indicated? Caesarean section will only be done in a situation, where a normal vaginal birth may be unsafe for the mother and/or baby.
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Breastmilk – the Best Gift for your baby Breastmilk is the most precious food and the best gift a mother can give to her baby. Breastmilk contains all the necessary nutrients in the correct proportion your baby needs for optimal health, growth and development. It contains valuable antibodies which will help to protect your baby from infection and allergy. Taurine and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid present in Breastmilk enhance eye and brain development. World Health Organisation recommends that baby should be
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Spotting or bleeding at any some point in time during pregnancy is common. About 15 to 20 percent of pregnant women report varying amounts of vaginal bleeding in the first three months. Once you enter your second trimester, it becomes more unusual. Here are some likely reasons of spotting in early pregnancy and what it implies when you bleed or spot later in your term. Reasons for Bleeding in Pregnancy Early Bleeding Implantation Bleeding – One of
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Amniocentesis This is a test which may be offered to a woman whose age, family or medical history or blood test results suggest that she may have a higher than normal risk of having a baby with a specific abnormality. Who may be offered amniocentesis? Women in whom an ultrasound scan or blood test has
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Abnormal Pap Smear & Treatment of Pre-Cancer Abnormal Pap Smear and Colposcopy What happens when you have an abnormal PAP smear? DO NO PANIC – an abnormal PAP smear does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. The Pap smear test detects changes in the cells of the cervix. Such changes include precancerous, cancerous and
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