The importance of looking after your sexual health
To take care of her sexual and reproductive health, a woman needs to obtain expert gynaecological advice for the sake of her own health, quality of life and survival.
The copious amounts of (sometimes dubious) information concerning sexual and reproductive health shared via Google and discussions in peer groups, can confuse especially young women.
Dr Annemie Shuda, a gynaecologist who has been in private practice for 20 years, says women have to visit a gynaecologist at least once a year the moment they become sexually active.
“The reality in South Africa is that women are sexually active from a very young age. The biggest risks involved are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies and unfortunately women are on the receiving end,” she said.
STD’s including syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause permanent damage to a woman’s pelvic organs, which could lead to infertility, according to Shuda. HIV and the human papilloma virus (HPV) are mainly sexually transmitted and can be life threatening. HPV is present in women with cervical cancer and also causes genital warts.
The Health Centre on the North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus does not have a gynaecological expert to provide consultations, but the following sexual and reproductive health services are provided: contraceptives, cervical cancer vaccinations and STD and HIV testing.
Charleen Swiegers, a third-year student in organisational psychology and labour relations management looks after her sexual and reproductive health by visiting the gynaecologist on an annual basis.
“It’s very important to visit a gynaecologist whom you are comfortable with and to do so regularly. Rather go to the doctor and make sure you are healthy than finding out about serious infections too late,” Swiegers said.
Medical aid providers should cover routine gynaecological visits, but it depends on the fund and the benefits it offers.
“Vaccination against HPV should be done preferably before you are sexually active but also at any time thereafter. [Even] if funds do not cover it, it is certainly critical to continue to do so, as it prevents cervical cancer which is the most common cancer among women,” Shuda said.
The message to young girls and women is to limit the amount of sexual contacts and the most effective way to reduce the risk of transmission and STDs is the use of condoms.
“The emotional and physical trauma associated with an unwanted pregnancy is tremendous. It is reckless to have any sexual contact, with or without penetration, without using effective contraception – it is freely available at any clinic or doctor,” Shuda said.