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Army Home Page / Units and Organisations / Major Headquarters / BFG Home / BFG HS / GU Med / Womens Sexual Health
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SEXUAL HEALTH MATTERS FOR WOMEN |
Sexual health is not only to do with sexually transmitted diseases, fertility or the ability to have sex, but also concerns such aspects as sexual feelings and relationships.
For some, sexual feelings are to do with love and close relationships; to others sex and love are two different things.
Whatever your views are on sex, love or relationships it is important to feel good about yourself, with what you are doing, and to keep yourself safe.
Being safe means not only safe from the risks of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy, but also from the emotional risks that are involved such as worry or regret.
Often the main problems that can occur with relationships are sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy. For more information on sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy see the pages on this site or click on one of the many links to other sites.
BASIC DIAGRAM FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Breast Cancer
Breast Awareness
Cervical Smear
Links To Other Sites
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's)
The best way of avoiding STD's, is to reduce the risks of infection by using a barrier method of contraception such as the condom, as well as any other form of contraception you have chosen to use.
The use of condoms in addition to another form of contraception will also greatly reduce the risks of an unplanned pregnancy.
The risks of getting an STD can be reduced further by having sex with one faithful partner or at least trying to reduce the number of different partners with whom you might have sex.
Using condoms every time you have sex is an easy way of avoiding STD's.
If you are planning on having sex and are unsure if your partner will use a condom why not discuss with your partner that this is what you want. It may be the case that this is what your partner wants too.
Discussing the use of condoms after unprotected sex is a bit late, and may lead to unnecessary worry for both of you. If you don't start to use condoms from the begining your partner may assume, or expect, not to use condoms every time you have sex.
You can't tell just by how someone looks, acts or sounds whether or not they may have an STD. Some STD's may take a long time to give someone signs or symptoms (whilst still being infectious to others), some may give no signs or symptoms, or be so mild initially, as to be ignored (again whilst still being infectious to others).
The only way of making sure that you haven't picked up an STD is to seek advice and screening from your local Genito Urinary Medicine department.
Some of the common sexually acquired infections include:
Gonorrhoea, Herpes, Chlamydia, Vaginitis, Warts.
There may be few or no signs or symptoms of these infections and they may not be discovered until after the infection becomes more serious, or until an examination is performed by a health care professional or when a sexual contact informs him/her that they have a genital infection.
As with most infections the earlier it is treated, the more successful the outcome, the later the treatment, the greater the chance of serious long term problems occurring.
Problems associated with untreated STD's in women include:
Pelvic inflammatory disease (inflammation inside the pelvic cavity and surrounding organs, may lead to fertility problems). Ectopic pregnancy (whereby a pregnancy starts to develop in the tubes instead of the womb).
Septicaemia (whereby an infection spreads from the reproductive system to other areas of the body).
Some signs and symptoms that may be experienced are:
An unusual discharge coming from the vagina, urethra or rectum. This discharge may be watery, thick or purulent, may be cloudy or smelly or discoloured.
Unusual lumps or fleshy growths developing in the genital area, previously unoticed.
Itching, rashes, sores, blisters or pain occurring anywhere in the genital area, passing urine more often or experiencing pain during sex. Abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially if provoked by intercourse.
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Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer affecting women today, It is more common in women of 30yrs to 35yrs. However women of all ages should get to know early in life what their breasts look and feel like. It is estimated that 1 in 12 British women will develop breast cancer at some time during their lives.
Early detection of breast cancer results in better chance of successful treatment. Breast awareness (self examination), and breast screening (mammography) are helpful in detecting early changes that may or may not be serious. Most breast cancers are found by women themselves through being breast aware, and by self examination.
The NHS are breast screening, at 3 yearly intervals, all women aged between 50yrs and 64yrs who registered with a GP. Women 65yrs or over can also request to be screened by asking their GP and all women who have any concerns should approach their GP with a view to undergoing breast screening.
Being Breast Aware
Being breast aware is about knowing what is normal for you and doing something about any changes that occur, or even if you've just got concerns.
There is no particular technique to examining your own breasts or how often you should check your breasts. Getting used to looking at and feeling your breasts may take time but are both important in detecting changes.
Get to know your breasts and the normal changes you may experience through your monthly cycle. The level of hormones changes throughout your normal monthly cycle which can affect how your breasts feel, so they may feel different at different times of the month, e.g. breasts are often more noticeably tender just before a period. Breast pain is common, (two out of every three women will experience some breast pain). If you have any doubts as to what you are experiencing is normal, you should see your GP or local family planning clinic as soon as possible.
Look at your breasts in the mirror while you are dressing, look from both front and side, changes to be aware of are: differences in size, shape or outline of both breasts.
Changes in the nipples position or the development of nipple secretions; bleeding, discharge or weeping; veins standing out more than usual and changes in appearance such as puckering of skin.
Feel your breasts for any unusual lumps or thickening in either breast or armpit. Feeling your breasts may be easier in the bath or shower using a soapy hand. Flatten your fingers and feel the whole of each breast.
Please note that most lumps discovered, or changes noticed, are not breast cancer. Harmless lumps are common, but need to be checked out by a competent health care professional such as your GP. In some cases changes may be the first signs of breast cancer. If detected early the easier it is to treat. Early detection of breast cancer for most women will mean having a lump removed rather than a breast. If in doubt contact your GP. There may be many reasons for breast changes. Most of them are harmless, but there is always the chance that they could be the first signs of cancer.
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Cervical Smear/Cervical Screening
A cervical smear test is a quick and simple check to make sure the cells that make up the cervix (the neck/lower part of the womb) are normal. It is a test which can detect abnormal cells, that may indicate pre cancerous changes, which can be stopped by simple treatment.
The smear test is performed by a doctor or nurse who inserts an instrument ,(speculum), into the vagina so that the cervix can be seen. A smooth wooden spatula or small brush is used to gently sweep around the cervix to collect cells. These cells are then smeared onto a microscope slide for analysis in a laboratory.
Smear tests are often performed by your GP but can also be done at Family Planning Clinics and Sexual Health/Genito Urinary Medicine Clinics or dedicated cytology clinics.
The NHS offers all women aged 20 to 64 free smear testing every 3 years. If you are registered with a GP you should be invited for your first smear test before your 25th birthday. If any abnormality is found you may be asked to attend more often to keep track of any changes or for a different procedure to be performed to look at abnormal cells more closely. Sexual health clinics may offer a smear test if you are having an internal examination for other reasons, for example, an infection in the vagina. This is an opportunistic smear, especially if you have not had one in recent years, and may save you being invited to your GP for a smear, if you give permission for your GP to be informed of the smear result.
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Links to other sites
www.breastcancercare.org.uk
www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk
www.graylab.ac.uk (male breast cancer)
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