It is important to note that sexually transmitted diseases or STDs can have a big impact on your health and fertility if they go untreated. Reassuringly, they can easily be identified through STD screening and the majority can be treated with a simple course of antibiotics.

If you are sexually active, it is a good idea to consider STD screening at CLF clinic

What to Expect?

When you visit the clinic for STD screening, the doctor will usually begin by asking some questions about your health and sexual history which include some of the following:

• Have you been experiencing any symptoms that could be caused by an STD?
• When did you last have sex?
• Did you have unprotected sex (without a condom)?

Depending on your situation, the doctor will recommend which STD tests are appropriate. It is important to note that different types of tests are needed to check for different infections.  Tests that check for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Herpes, Syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis may include one or more of the following tests:

• A blood test
• A urine test
• A swab taken from your urethra or vagina
• A gynecological exam

What Happens Next?

The results of your STD tests will be given to you as soon as possible and they will determine what happens next. Possibilities of the outcome include the following:

• If no infections are found, no further action is needed. However, you should consider using condoms to protect yourself in the future and come back for more STD screening to ensure you stay healthy.
• If a problem is identified, the doctor will diagnose a specific STD and provide you with the appropriate treatment. In the majority of cases, a course of antibiotics will be able to eliminate the infection.
• You should avoid having sex until the treatment is complete.
• In some cases, an STD can cause more serious problems, and your doctor may recommend additional tests or treatment if you develop any complications.
• You should inform your current or past sexual partners of the diagnosis so that they can also get tested and treated specifically if more than one partner in the last 60 days.

The contraceptive coil is one of the most reliable and convenient forms of contraception. It can be a good choice if you want a long term form of contraception that you will not have to worry about on a daily basis. Moreover, specifically the copper coil has also been found to be a reliable form of emergency contraception if you had unprotected sex.

What is a Contraceptive Coil?

The contraceptive coil is a small T-shaped implant that can be placed into your womb to prevent you from getting pregnant. There are two different types of coil are available:

1. Intrauterine Device (IUD): the copper coil, which prevents eggs and sperm from surviving in the fallopian tubes and womb
   2. Intrauterine System (IUS): The hormonal coil, which works in a similar way to the pill by releasing progestogen but its effect, is limited to the womb without the pill side effects

Why Choose the Contraceptive Coil?

Both types of coil are fitted in the same way and are effective in contraception some benefits include the following:

• You will not need to remember to take a pill or think about your contraception on a daily basis
• You will not  need to pause before sex to use a condom, unless you want to protect yourself against STD’s
• The contraceptive coil is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
• The coil can last between 5-10 years, after which a new coil can be fitted

What to Expect?

The contraceptive coil needs to be fitted by a gynecologist.

Before the coil is fitted your doctor will do the following:

• An pelvic exam to check the size and position of your uterus so that the coil can be fitted correctly
• You may need to be tested and treated for any STDs before the coil insertion, to reduce the risk of complications

The coil insertion involves the following steps:

• A speculum will be used to hold open the vagina
• The coil will be inserted through the cervix and into the uterus
• The doctor will then check that the coil is in the correct place by performing an ultrasound
• The coil insertion can be slightly uncomfortable, but painkillers can help
• The procedure will only take less than 10 minutes
• The coil will need to be checked again after your first period to make sure it has not been displaced

 

What to expect after a Coil is inserted?

The contraceptive coil is a form of long term contraception that is very easy to use. Once it has been fitted you can expect any of the following symptoms depending on the type of coil inserted:

• If you have had a copper coil fitted, your periods may become heavier or more irregular for a few months, but usually become regular after 3 months.
• If you have had a hormonal coil fitted, your periods could get lighter. Moreover, you might even stop having periods altogether.
• The copper coil protects you against pregnancy as soon as it is fitted.
•  The hormonal coil will protect you straight away if it is fitted in the first week of your menstrual cycle. Otherwise it will take a week to start working and so you will need extra protection if it is inserted after the first 7 days of your period.
• The coil will need to be replaced in 5-10 years when it stops working. Your gynecologist can remove it for you.
• You can have the coil removed by your gynecologist at any time and your fertility will return to normal.

What is the human papillomavirus?

Human papillomavirus or HPV refers to a group of 100 related viruses or more. Around 40 of these viruses are sexually transmitted viruses that spread through contact with skin, mucous membranes and fluids in the genital area, most often through sex.

How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?

Approximately 50% of people who have sex catch HPV; however, HPV does not always cause symptoms and some infected individuals pass on the virus without realizing it. The virus affects both men and women, with an increased risk for those with multiple sexual partners or those who have sex at an early age.

HPV does not always cause serious health problems or any problems at all, but certain types put the person at a higher risk for serious problems specifically cervical cancer, or cancer in the vagina or anus. Other types of HPV may cause genital warts which do not cause cancer but can be annoying cosmetically speaking.

How do you prevent human papillomavirus?

The HPV vaccine is considered effective and is recommended for all males and females. The vaccine is generally administered at age 11 or 12, but you have the opportunity to catch up with the vaccine till the age of 26.

What does the human papillomavirus look like?

HPV manifests as small pink, red or flesh-colored growths located on or near the sex organs. These growths, also known as genital warts, can be transmitted easily via sexual contact. It is important to know that if in contact with someone who has warts it may take months to manifest in the individual so it is better to be safe than sorry.

How do you prevent human papillomavirus?

To reduce the risk of developing HPV, you should request vaccination, use condoms, and limit sexual partners or avoid having sex. Two vaccines provide some protection against HPV in women and girls and one is available for men and boys.

What are the HPV Vaccines?

The vaccines aim to protect females from the types of HPV that cause the most incidences of cervical cancer. The vaccines currently available include the following:

• Gardasil which protects females from genital warts, and cancer of the anus, vagina and vulva. The vaccine is recommended for girls at the age of 11 through 12 and women up to the age of 26 who did not receive the vaccine earlier in life.

Cervarix which protects females specifically for cervical, anal, and vaginal cancer.

Female sexual problems

Many women have problems with sex at some point in their life and find it a taboo to discuss sexual problems. However, we provide a platform to discuss some forms of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and advice on how to get help if it affects you.

According to the Sexual Advice Association, sexual problems affect around one-third of young and middle-aged women, and around half of older women.

It is important to note that to properly evaluate sexual dysfunction; we should thoroughly assess and manage both physical and psychological factors which may be implicated along with the woman’s relationship with her partner.

Loss of desire

Loss of desire is characterized by a lack of sex drive. It may affect some women at certain points in their life such as during pregnancy, after having a baby, or at times of stress. But some women experience it all the time and it affects their relationship.

One cause that affects the sexual drive is the hormonal component such as a drop in the woman’s natural testosterone levels. Testosterone is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. The testosterone levels can drop if these organs are removed or if they are not functioning properly; however, a lack of sex drive is not solely limited to alterations in testosterone levels but can have a range of physical or psychological causes which include the following:

 

• Relationship problems
• Depression
• Previous mental or physical trauma
• Tiredness
• Excessive alcoholand drug use
• Side effect of certain medications

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Orgasm problems

Some woman may complain of an inability to achieve orgasm during sex, however, not all women with this complaint are necessarily unsatisfied during sex. When this issue creates a problem for the woman or her partner appropriate measures should be taken to identify the problem and provide solutions. The inability to achieve orgasm can be divided into two major categories:

• primary – when a woman has never had an orgasm
• secondary – when a woman has had an orgasm in the past, but is unable to achieve one now

Some possible reasons behind why a woman cannot have an orgasm can include the following:

• Fear or lack of knowledge about sex
• Being unable to “let go” and relax during sex
• Not enough effective stimulation to reach orgasm
• Relationship problems
• Mood disorders like depression
• Previous traumatic sexual experience like rape

Psychosexual therapy has been found to be effective in helping a majority of women to overcome orgasm problems, and it involves exploring her feelings about sex, her relationship, and herself.

Research is currently being conducted on certain medical conditions that affect the blood and nerve supply to the clitoris to see whether this affects orgasm.

Pain during sex

Many women complain of pain during sex. There are several causes that can result in this. We will highlight a few issues underlying this issue.

Vaginismus

Vaginismus can be a cause of pain during sex. It is when the muscles in or around the vagina go into spasm, making sexual intercourse painful or even impossible. It can be very upsetting and distressing in a relationship.

Some underlying causes include women who associate sex with pain or being a “wrongful” act. It may also be due to vaginal trauma such as after a stressful and painful event like childbirth, episiotomy, or rape.

Other causes include relationship problems, fear of pregnancy, or painful conditions of the vagina and the surrounding area.

The major aim of treatment focuses on sexual education, counselling and usage of vaginal trainers, also known as vaginal dilators. These dilators are cylindrical in shape and come in different sizes. They are gradually inserted into the vagina until the largest size can be inserted comfortably. Some women may prefer using their fingers instead.

Sex after menopause

Sex after menopause is a common cause of pain since during this time in a woman’s life the estrogen levels fall and the vagina feels dry. This drop in estrogen not only affects the vaginal lubrication but can also affect a woman’s desire for sex. In such a case lubrication creams can help.

Female genital mutilation

A not so common cause of pain during sex includes female genital mutilation (FGM). It is where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed for no medically indicated reason. This can cause sex to be difficult and painful.

It can reduce sexual desire and a lack of pleasurable sensation.

Genital infections

Genital infections can also cause new onset pain during intercourse. In this case, a woman will state that the pain is new and she previously enjoyed her sexual life. This can be due to infections limited to the vagina and characterised by different types of discharge, itching, or foul smell, or it may be due to deep pelvic infections that result from sexually transmitted diseases that cause infections in the cervix, uterus, tubes, or ovaries. In all cases, a woman should seek further assistance to be able to evaluate the underlying cause of discomfort.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis may also cause pain during sex. It is due to migration of the lining of the womb to outside the uterus. Women who initially have intercourse complain of a deep pain that at times may prevent them from performing sex. They also complain of a cyclical pain that occurs during their menses every month. This also requires thorough evaluation by the physician.