Sheba Feminine
Celebrating World Sexual Health Day 2024: Embracing Positive Relationships
On September 4, 2024, the world will once again come together to observe World Sexual Health Day (WSHD), a day dedicated to promoting sexual health and well-being worldwide. Launched in 2010 under the leadership of then-President Rosemary Coates of Australia and the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), World Sexual Health Day has grown into a global movement. Its mission is clear: to foster greater social awareness and dialogue around sexual health, grounded in a human rights framework as outlined in the landmark Declaration of Sexual Rights established 25 years ago. This year's...
Fibroid Awareness Month: Understanding a Silent Epidemic
July is Fibroid Awareness Month, a crucial time to shed light on a health condition affecting millions of people with a uterus worldwide. Though benign, fibroids can significantly impact quality of life. Awareness and education are essential for better management and treatment. Research estimates that 171 million people worldwide suffer from fibroids. Shockingly, fibroids affect 70-80% of individuals between the ages of 35 and 54, with the prevalence rising to 80% among Black individuals. Despite this high occurrence, fibroids are often under-discussed, leading to a lack of awareness and...
Vaginal discharge explained!
Discharge will first appear in puberty around the time someone gets their first period. It can even begin up to six months before their first period. Discharge is made up of fluid from the uterus, cervix and vagina. The amount of discharge, colour and texture varies according to hormonal changes and the different stages of the menstrual cycle. 1) Is discharge normal? Discharge is 100% normal for people who menstruate. The body creates discharge as a way to keep the vagina lubricated, clean and its pH balanced. It helps protect from infection and an overgrowth of bacteria by getting rid of...
Can you get pregnant while on your period?
This is a topic that's inundated with myths and misinformation! So, let's clear it up. In short, it IS possible to get pregnant while on your period. Although the possibility is low, it can still happen. Also, just because you're on your period it doesn't give you a free pass when it comes to contraception, unless you want to get pregnant. If not, it's crucial to use birth control and barrier protection (condoms) EVERY SINGLE TIME you have sex, even when you're on your period. The most likely time pregnancy could occur while on your period is if you have unprotected sex just before and...
7 FAQ’s about CONDOMS!
Unlock the ultimate guide to condoms and sexual health! Amidst the sea of confusion, let's navigate through the essential truths about condoms, safeguarding both your well-being and pleasure. Condoms are great because they're the ONLY form of contraception that can prevent the spread of STI's, because of this condoms are known as a form of barrier protection. However, condoms are not 100% full-proof when it comes to pregnancy prevention. So, using condoms in conjunction with other forms of birth control is the best way to protect against unplanned pregnancy. Key tips to remember when...
How to practice self-care ‘down there’
Let's talk about how to care for your vagina and vulva! As many of you may know the vagina or vaginal canal is a self-cleaning organism. Think of it like a dishwasher that cleans all the dishes for you, and all you need to do is pack the dishes away and dry them. So, if the vagina is self-cleaning, how can you create a self-care practice for it? That's what we're explaining today. Creating a self-care ritual fosters a healthier relationship with your vagina and vulva, gets you more comfortable with your body, and makes you aware of any changes, especially if they're out of the ordinary....
PEP vs PrEP: What you NEED to know!
When it comes to sexual health, knowledge is power and it could even save a life! September is Sexual Health Awareness Month and this week we're focusing on the importance of PEP and PrEP. If you've never heard of these terms you're in the right place, as we'll be explaining key pieces of information about these medications. Firstly, PEP and PrEP are two different types of medications used to prevent HIV. What is PrEP? PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, and it's used before possible HIV exposure. The context in which it's used can be before a sexual act or an injection from a...
At what age can I start using a menstrual cup?
Menstrual cups can be used by anyone of ANY age. If you menstruate, you can use a cup, and this includes teens and pre-teens. We know that getting your period for the first time can be very scary, overwhelming and the cause of so much anxiety. There's so much to learn about your body, the changes that it's going through and how to handle these changes properly and with care. A major part of getting your period is deciding which products to use, and what will work best for your body and lifestyle. If you're sporty and involved in a lot of water sports for example, learning how to manage...
Tips for swimming while on your period!
Summer's here, and as the warmer month's and festive season approach a lot of people are going to want to cool off with a swim! Having your period in the summer heat is the worst especially when you want to swim but because you're menstruating you're hesitant or scared. But, if you are REALLY keen to swim there are reliable menstrual products you can use that will collect your blood while swimming! If you're going to swim in the ocean and are afraid of attracting sharks, you'll be happy to know that it's a myth. There's no scientific evidence to support that being on your period will...
What do the different period blood colours mean?
It's normal for the colour of period blood to change while you're menstruating. Change in colour can signify hormonal fluctuations, changes in the amount of blood you're losing and it depends on how long the blood takes to leave your body. The longer blood stays inside the uterus, the darker it will be (brown, dark red or black) because the longer it stays in the uterus the longer it has to react to oxygen which makes it darker in colour. Black or brown: This is perfectly normal, although it can be alarming when you first encounter it. Black or brown blood just means the blood is old, and...
8 Ways to talk to your children about periods!
Did you know in South Africa, over 7 million girls and children who menstruate don’t have access to sanitary products? I’m Joe, from the international educational publisher, Twinkl. Twinkl was founded in 2010, with a goal of ‘helping those who teach’. We do this by providing high-quality, teacher-created & trusted educational materials. As part of this commitment to helping those who teach, we’ve recently tried to start conversations that we think are long overdue around periods. Talking to your children about menstruation is an essential part of their development, especially as they...
The Most Common STI’s: What you need to know! (Updated)
So the acronym STI usually gets people into a sweat. Sexually Transmitted Infections have been stigmatised for so long, we struggle to talk about them in public, let alone with healthcare practitioners. In fact, if you’re sexually active, statistics say you’ve most likely contracted an STI before or will in the future. According to the American Sexual Health Association, one in two people will get an STI by the age of 25. One, Two, you’re it! But this shouldn’t get your knickers in a knot. Regardless of whether you use condoms or dental dams, the risk of STI’s will always be there unless...
