Women’s wellbeing: How do you protect your sexual health and fertility ?

The wellbeing of the female genital tract is of great importance, as symptoms related to this very important part of the  body shed insight on your health and have a significant impact on future fertility. Simple and effective ways of protecting your health and your fertility are the regular use of a condom, using reliable non-hormonal or hormonal contraception and regularly testing for sexually-transmitted infections (STIs or STDs). These STIs/STDs can be passed on same-sex and opposite-sex sexual activity, including oral, vaginal and anal sexual intercourse. Becoming aware and asking your GP or your Gynaecologist is important when any symptoms appear, even sporadically, such as increased menstrual pain, heavier periods, pain during or after sex, vaginal dryness / itchiness / burning, discharge that is increased or yellowish  / greenish / brownish, spotting or bleeding during / after sex, bleeding outside of the menstrual period.

Male Condoms

Male condoms are very effective in protecting from common infections such as Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma, Trichomonas, Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, HIV, Hepatitis B and C. On the other hand it is less effective in preventing those infections that are passed through skin-to-skin contact, such as Syphilis, Herpes and HPV (Human Papillomavirus). Using a condom during oral, vaginal and anal sex significantly reduces the chances of getting all of these infections. Oral and anal sex can also pass on infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma, Trichomonas, Herpes, HPV, Syphilis and Hepatitis A.  These infections most often do not cause any symptoms, despite their harms to health and fertility. How to easily put a condom and avoid it from slipping off or breaking: https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/video/video-put-on-condom

STD / STI testing

As most of these infections do not show with any symptoms, it is very important that STD/STI testing is done yearly. The most accurate and reliable test is the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test through a vaginal swab or first-morning urine. You should avoid antibiotics, vaginal creams/pessaries and lubricants at least thirty days prior to testing. This test is neither painful nor invasive. A regular STD / STI test will protect your health and your fertility from the harms that these infections can cause both in women and men. Undergoing this test when a new same-sex or opposite-sex relationship starts is highly recommended.

HPV Test

The HPV test is a screening test that identifies the presence of HPV and should be done four years following the start of your sexual activity. HPV is a sexually-transmitted virus that can cause cells of the cervix to become abnormal and is the leading cause of cervical cancers. As such, using a condom regularly, doing a HPV test every three years and having the HPV vaccination done will strongly reduce the chances of developing cervical cell anomalies or cervical cancer. Please find more information on HPV, the HPV Test and the HPV vaccine on the “Patient Information” section of this website.

Speak to your GP or to your Gynaecologist if you have been experiencing regular or sporadic:

• Vaginal discharge

• Pain / bleeding during or after sex

• Burning or pain when you urinate

• Or if you have previously had an STD / STI.