Women's health
Birth control
Birth control, also known as contraception, is used to prevent pregnancy before it begins.
There are various ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies. While you may have your own preference regarding the type of contraceptive, you may not be suitable for certain types of contraceptives due to your health conditions. Talk to your fertility specialist for advice on the best method for you.
Here are some of the available types of contraception:
| Typical use failure rate | Pros | Cons (not exclusive) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reversible methods: | |||
| Condoms | 18% | The only method that also prevents sexually transmitted diseases. | Less effective than other methods. May break during sex. |
| Combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills | 7% | Very effective if used correctly. Regulates periods. Lessens menstrual flow, period pain, and acne. Reduces ovarian and uterine cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts. | Needs to be taken every day. Side effects: nausea, headache, breast tenderness, blood clot formation (rare). Not suitable for women with vascular risk factors, e.g. high blood pressure, age over 35 and smoking, diabetic complications. |
| Progestogen-only pills (mini-pills) | 7% | Very effective if used correctly. Suitable for breastfeeding and postpartum women. | Needs to be taken every day. Side effects: irregular periods, no period for some women, nausea, headache, breast tenderness, fluid retention. |
| Injectables (monthly) | 4% | Very effective when used correctly, given monthly. Lessens menstrual flow and period pain. | Similar to COC pills. |
| Injectables (3-monthly) | 4% | Very effective when used correctly, given every 3 months. Lessens menstrual flow and period pain. | Side effects: irregular periods, no period for some women, breast tenderness, fluid retention, decrease in bone density with prolonged use. |
| Intrauterine devices (copper) | 0.8% | Very effective, last for 4-10 years. | Side effects: period cramps, heavier periods, infection (within 3 weeks of insertion), dislodgement, perforation of uterus (uncommon). |
| Intrauterine devices (hormone releasing) | 0.2% | Very effective, last for 5 years. Lessens menstrual flow and period pain. | Side effects: irregular periods, no period for some women, infection (within 3 weeks of insertion), dislodgement, perforation of uterus (uncommon). |
| Permanent methods | |||
| Female sterilization (tubal occlusion/ligation) | 0.5% | Very effective, permanent | Irreversible, chance of regret; surgical risks. |
| Male sterilization (vasectomy) | 0.15% | Very effective, permanent | Irreversible, chance of regret; surgical risks. |
Well woman check-up
A well woman check-up is a comprehensive medical examination that is designed to assess a woman's overall health and well-being. This check-up typically includes a physical exam, medical history review, and various health screenings and tests.
Here are some aspects of a well woman check-up that may be included:
- Medical history review: Your gynaecologist will review your medical history, including any past illnesses, surgeries or medications you are currently taking.
- Physical exam: A physical exam will be performed to assess your overall health, including checking your blood pressure, heart rate and body mass index (BMI).
- Breast exam: A breast exam may be performed to check for any lumps or abnormalities.
- Pelvic exam: A pelvic exam may be performed to check the health of your reproductive organs and to screen for any abnormalities or infections.
- Cervical smear (Pap smear): A cervical smear may be performed to screen for cervical cancer.
- Other health screenings: Depending on your age and medical history, other health screenings may be recommended, such as pelvis ultrasound, mammograms, bone density tests or STD screenings.
- Counselling: Your healthcare provider may provide counselling on lifestyle changes that can help maintain your overall health and well-being, such as exercise, diet and stress reduction techniques.
It is important for women to have regular well woman check-ups to stay on top of their health and to address any concerns or issues that may arise. Women should discuss any concerns or questions they may have with their gynecologists and should seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms or complications.
Perimenopausal wellness
Perimenopause is a natural transition period that occurs before menopause, and it can be characterized by various changes in the menstrual cycle and hormone levels. During this time, it is important to have regular check-ups with a gynaecologist to monitor any changes and address any concerns.
Here are some things that may be included in a perimenopause check-up:
- Review of symptoms: Your healthcare provider may ask about any symptoms you are experiencing, such as changes in menstrual bleeding, hot flashes, mood changes or vaginal dryness.
- Physical exam: A physical exam may be performed to assess your overall health and to check for any abnormalities in the reproductive organs.
- Hormone testing: Blood tests may be performed to measure hormone levels, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestrogen levels, which can help determine if you are in perimenopause.
- Bone density testing: Women in perimenopause may be at increased risk for osteoporosis, so a bone density test may be recommended to assess bone health.
- Breast exam: A breast exam may be performed to check for any lumps or abnormalities.
- Cervical smear (Pap smear): A cervical smear may be performed to screen for cervical cancer.
- Counselling: Your gynaecologist may provide counselling on lifestyle changes that can help manage perimenopausal symptoms, such as exercise, diet and stress reduction techniques.
It is important to have regular check-ups with your healthcare provider or gynaecologist during perimenopause to monitor any changes and address any concerns. They can provide personalized guidance and support to help you manage your symptoms and maintain your overall health and well-being.
