Immunization against cancer

The cervical cancer vaccine is recommended for girls ages 11 to 12, although it may be used in girls as young as age 9. This allows a girl's immune system to be activated before she's likely to encounter HPV. Vaccinating at this age also allows for the highest antibody levels. The higher the antibody levels, the greater the protection. The vaccine is given as a series of three injections over a six-month period. The second dose is given two months after the first dose, followed four months later by the third dose. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a catch-up immunization for girls and women ages 13 to 26 who haven't been vaccinated or who haven't completed the full vaccine series. By vaccinating this catch-up group, as well as the younger girls, we'll see the positive effects of the cervical cancer vaccine that much sooner.
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Breasts and Coffee

Drinking more than three cups of coffee a day can apparently reduce the size of women's breasts. But it also reduces the risk of cancer, researchers say. Swedish oncologist Dr Helena Jernstroem said a gene - which half of women have - could react and cause them to a drop a bra size. But she added: "Coffee-drinking women do not have to worry their breasts will shrink to nothing overnight. They will get smaller but the breasts aren't just going to disappear".
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Breast Exam

It is very important to know that regular breast self-exam can help you know how your breasts normally feel and look, so you can notice any changes. Most breast changes or lumps can be discovered very early and many of them are not cancerous. Breast self-exam can also discover early stages of breast cancer. If breast cancer is found early, you can have more treatment choices and a better chances of recovery. So, it is very important to find breast cancer at early stages - as early as possible.
Read more why, how often and how the breast self-exam should be done.

Menopause

What is Menopause? When I should expect menopause? Menopause is the period of women life when menstrual cycles are stopped and women don’t have periods anymore. In general menopause could come at 50-55 but sometimes women could have early or late menopause. At menopause age women’s ovaries are not producing eggs anymore, levels of female hormones decreasing and as a consequence – women are not having periods anymore. If woman after 48-50 did not have menstruation (period) during one year – it means she is entering to the menopause period.
Read more about 35 symptoms of menopause.

Ectopic Pregnancy

The ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself outside the cavity of the uterus. In most cases the ectopic pregnancies are found in the Fallopian tubes. The ectopic pregnancy is not usually surviving and in most cases an embryo is not developed. Usually the ectopic pregnancy is interrupting the development at certain period (kind of miscarriage). The majority of women with ectopic pregnancy should be operated or treated with medication.
Read more about all symptoms of ectopic pregnancy.

Pregnancy Test

What to do if you missed your period and plus you discovered some pregnancy symptoms like changes in your appetite, frequent urination, morning sickness, tender breasts, increased vaginal discharges and some other unusual feelings? You definitely need to prove that you are really pregnant or you need the confirmation for absence of the pregnancy. If you cannot go to your doctor yet, you could make your own home pregnancy test. Home kits as well as laboratory urine tests can give instant results. If you opted for these tests but remain doubtful, you could go to a clinic and have the test done by a health care practitioner.
Read more about home pregnancy tests.

HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person’s broken skin or mucous membranes. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
Read more about HIV and AIDS.

STD

What is STD? STD or STDs are sexually transmitted diseases which you can easily catch during unprotected sex. Sometimes they called STIs – sexually transmitted infections. Sometimes they called Venereal disease. The causes of STDs are bacteria, parasites and viruses. There are more than 20 types of STDs, including Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes Simplex, HIV/AIDS, HPV, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Genital warts, Genital herpes, Pubic lice, Scabies, Thrush and Hepatitis.
Discover more about STDs.

Best Contraception

There is no best contraception for everybody but there is the best contraception strategy for everybody. It is Dual Contraception. What is it? It is simultaneous use of modern effective contraception by both partners which could be an ideal way to prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and diseases. Safe dual protection means mutual monogamy between healthy non-infected partners who chose to use modern effective contraception.
Read more about dual contraception.

Anorexia

All young girls are dreaming about perfect body, following famous models. Sometimes it is ending very badly. Anorexia is an example how healthy girls can become extremely sick just trying to be “perfect”. What is anorexia? It is an eating disorder where people starve themselves. Anorexia usually begins in young people during puberty. Individuals suffering from anorexia have extreme weight loss. Weight loss is usually 10%-20% below the person's normal body weight. People suffering from anorexia are very skinny but are convinced that they are overweight.
Read how anorexic girls are suffering.

Period

You can call it period or menstruation, but it is the same thing. What is it? Menstruation is the shedding of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) accompanied by bleeding. It occurs every month at the end of your menstrual cycle. Menstruation is coming very regularly throughout a woman's reproductive life, except during pregnancy and during some diseases and treatments. Periods usually starts during puberty (at menarche) and stops permanently at menopause.
Read more about periods.

Breast Development

Young girls are often concerned about their breast development. They are usually very impatient and always wish to have bigger breasts. But it is important to know that all girls in puberty are passing five stages of breast development which is crucial for future breast development.
Read more about puberty breast development stages.

Ovulation

What is ovulation? How it is happening? Is it happening every month? Every month female ovaries begin to ripen several follicles, which is why days 1–14 are called the follicular phase. The number of active follicles changes with each cycle, but typically only one follicle per month in a single ovary becomes dominant over the others and produces a viable egg just before mid-cycle. This egg is actually ready for fertilization and future pregnancy.
Read all details about ovulation and ovulation days.

Fertile Days

If you don’t want to use any contraception for any reasons, what can you do to prevent unplanned and unwanted pregnancies? Is there any solution? Yes, if you would know very well the following: • your ovulation day; • your fertile and not fertile days; • women are fertile for about 24–48 hours around the time of ovulation (before and after ovulation); • sperm may be able to survive between six and seven days - if consider the most ideal conditions (ideal vaginal/uterine environments, fertile eggs, strong healthy sperm, etc).
Read more about your fertile days.

Depo Provera

Depo Provera is hormonal contraception – contraceptive injection. It contains a progestogen hormone which slowly releases into the body. Effectiveness is about 97-99%. Works by preventing ovulation and by causing a plug of mucus in the cervix that blocks sperm, and by thinning the lining of the uterus. The injection is needed every 8-12 weeks.
Read more about advantages and disadvantages.

IUD

IUD is an intrauterine device which is a safe and effective method of reversible contraception. IUDs are small flexible devices made of metal and/or plastic; they may be inert, or may release copper or hormone. Any IUD prevents pregnancy by a combination of mechanisms of action, including: - Inhibition of sperm migration in the upper female genital tract; - Inhibition of ovum transport; - Inhibition of fertilization; - The levonorgestrel-releasing IUD, in addition to the above, causes changes in the amount and viscosity of the cervical mucus, inhibiting sperm penetration.
Read more about advantages and disadvantages of IUDs.

Plan B

What is Plan B? Sometimes it is called Emergency Contraception, Sometimes it is called Morning After Pills. What is it? – It is kind of contraception which can be used as an emergency procedure to prevent unwanted pregnancy which could happen after unprotected sexual intercourse. Plan B can be used in following cases: - when no contraceptive has been used, - when contraceptive methods failed (missed pills, condom rupture, diaphragm dislodgement, etc.), - when girl or woman has been a victim of the sexual attack (abuse).
Read more and learn how to use Plan B.

Pads and other menstrual hygienic products

What to prepare and what to use during menstruation. For making decision which kind of menstrual product to use during your period, first, you should know what is available. It can be a confusing task because they are so many choices on the market. How can you know which is the best for you and your lifestyle? - Sanitary Pads? Tampons? Cloth Menstrual Pads? Sea Sponge? Menstrual Cups?
Read more about available menstrual hygienic products and how to choose the right one for you.

Toxic Shock Syndrome, TSS

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) was discovered in XX century in some women who during menstruation used old models of tampons (first tampon experiences). News appeared in public news in 1980s. Since then manufacturers changed dramatically the tampon production and the number of cases of TSS has dropped significantly. Other causes for toxic shock syndrome include the use of contraceptive diaphragms and vaginal sponges during menstruation.
Read TSS symptoms and how prevent the possibility of TSS.

Tampon

Tampons are one of menstrual products, like pads, and they are used to absorb menstrual flow. It is a soft cotton product - pressed together to form a cylinder-like shape, so that tampons can be easily inserted into the opening of the vagina. Each tampon absorbs the menstrual flow, or blood during limited period and the absorbed tampon should be taken off from the vagina in time (maximum after 8 hours). Tampons produced in different sizes and absorbencies. Each person should select tampon sizes according to the size of vagina and volume of menstrual or blood flow. You can find tampons in most convenience stores or supermarkets.
Read and see how insert tampon correctly

Irregular Periods

There are several reasons and factors which can be responsible for irregular periods. Some most often factors you can find below:
* hormonal disturbances (PCOS, anovulation);
* stress;
* significant change in body weight (weight loss or weight gain);
* extensive physical exercises (championships, Olympics);
* poor nutrition and wrong diets;
* eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia). some drugs;
* intensive smoking; …………
Read more about irregular periods.

Missed Pills

The effectiveness of different brands of birth control pills is fluctuating between 95% - 99% (if correctly used!). It is very important to highlight that you should take 1 pill every day at the same time until the packet is finished; you should not interrupt taking the pills before a packet is finished, even if you does not have sexual intercourse. If you bought the 28-pill packet, you should start a new packet without a break the day after you finish the previous packet. If you have the 21-pill packet, you should skip 7 days before starting a new packet. If the pills are taken correctly, you will always start a new packet on the same day of the week. It is very important to emphasize the importance of not forgetting any pill. If you miss one or more hormonal pills, you may have some spotting or breakthrough bleeding and, more importantly, you will be at a greater risk of becoming pregnant. The greatest risk is when you miss hormonal pills at the beginning or at the end of the cycle, because that is equivalent to prolonging the interval during which you do not take hormonal pills.
Read more about what to do if you missed one or few pill

PILLS

In general pills are very popular. Often pills called also “birth control pills” and/or “combined pills” and/or “combined oral contraceptives (COC)”. The effectiveness of different brands is fluctuating between 95% - 99% (if correctly used!). Combined pills contain estrogens and progesterone (or similar gestagens). The contraceptive effect of COCs is mainly due to inhibition of ovulation; they also cause thickening of the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to pass into the uterine cavity and move towards the fallopian tubes. The receptivity of the uterus (endometrium) to the fertilized eggs is also reduced. It is very important to mention that different brands suit different persons.

Pills are available in packets of:
21 pills, where 1 pill containing the oestrogen/progestogen combination is taken every day for 21
days, then a break from pill-taking occurs for 7 days before starting a new packet; and

28 pills, where 1 pill containing the oestrogen/progestogen combination is taken every day for 21
days then, instead of a break, 7 placebo or iron pills are taken as the other pills in each packet to
complete a full 28-day cycle.
Read more about birth control pills

Hormonal Contraceptin

There is only one kind of contraception which can prevent pregnancy and control your menstrual cycle. It is hormonal contraception. There are several kinds of hormonal contraception:

1. Combined oral contraception,
2. Progestogen-only pills,
3. Progestogen-only injectable contraception,
4. Combined injectable contraception,
5. Subdermal implants.

The main mechanism of hormonal contraception based on blockade of the ovulation.
No ovulation – no pregnancy.

If you are ready and if you already decided to start your sexual life – better visit your doctor for selection of the most convenient contraception for you. In general all girls and women can use hormonal contraception but sometimes you could have contraindications.
Please read instructions very careful.

Female Condom

The female condom is made of soft pliable polyurethane pre-lubricated with a silicone-based substance (dimethicone). It is inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse. An inner ring is used for insertion and holds the condom in place high in vagina; an outer ring lies flat and covers the labia during sexual intercourse. After ejaculation, the female condom retains the seminal fluid, preventing it from coming into contact with the cervix.
Discover more about female condoms.

Male condom

This condom is a sheath made to fit over the erect penis. It collects semen and acts as a barrier preventing passage of sperm into the vagina. The condom is available rolled in individual packets, and is unrolled onto the erect penis before intercourse.Most condoms are made of thin latex rubber.When used correctly at every act of intercourse, the condom can be a reasonably effective method of contraception. The latex condom is also an effective barrier to protect against the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including transmission of HIV/AIDS. To insure full effectiveness of the condom, it is necessary to use condom correctly.
Read detailed instructions "How to wear condom correctly".

Missed period

Missed period can be an alarm for pregnancy but missed menstruation not always means pregnancy. Your cycle could be missed if you had a stress (sometimes exams, meek love or fight with loved ones, family arguments, conflicts with friends), if you are sick (flue, some infection diseases, diabetes, endocrine diseases), if you dramatically loose or gain a weight (anorexia, obesity), if you have some hormonal disturbances in your reproductive system, etc.
There are several reasons why your period could be late.
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Modern contraception

Do you know everything about modern contraception? Many people think they know everything about contraception but unfortunately very little number of people know correct information about positive and negative side effects of different contraceptives.

Do you know that when no contraception is used, more than 80 in 100 sexually active women become pregnant within 1 year. It means the possibility of the pregnancy in women who have regular sexual relations is only 80%.

Do you know that no method of contraception is absolutely 100% reliable? The reliability for each method is given in percentages. For example, the contraceptive injection is more than 99% effective. This means that less than 1 woman in 100 will become pregnant each year using this method of contraception.

Do you know that the effectiveness of some methods depends on how you use them. You have to use them properly, or they may lose their effect. For example, different pills can be effective up to 99% if taken correctly (according to instruction). If you missed a pills, then it becomes less effective.

Some contraception methods depend not so much on user and need to be renewed only infrequently or never. These methods are injections, implants, IUDs and sterilization.

Discover everything about modern contraception.

Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal discharge is the result of secretions produced from small glands in the lining of the vagina and the cervix. All women have a little discharge starting a year or two before puberty and ending after the menopause. How much discharge a woman notices changes from time to time and it will change quite a lot between periods. Different persons can have different volume of “normal” discharge depending on age, cycle periods, hormonal balance and sexual activities.

What is normal discharge?
The amount of discharge varies from girls to girls and from woman to woman. Different persons have different opinions of what is normal. But if it always involves using panty shields, or changing protection or underwear several times a day, then it is probably heavier than normal.
The amount of discharge is often influenced by hormonal changes in the woman's body. The week before a period, being pregnant or using the oral contraceptive pills are all typically associated with an increase in vaginal discharge. A normal physiological discharge is usually clear and/or transparent, creamy and/or very slightly yellow.

When to be worried?

- If you noticed sudden increase of the amount of discharge;

- If you noticed changes of color of discharge (“unusual color”) - from yellow-whitish to brownish, reddish or greenish;

- If you noticed unusual smell of your discharge.

Read more about different types of discharge and self evaluation.

Acne

Acne is a very common condition of the skin that most young people get in early puberty. It is caused by inflammation of the small oil glands (sebaceous glands) that surround the fine hairs on the face and chest. Acne are appearing because of the hormonal changes that come with puberty. In general, for most people acne disappear almost completely by the time they are out of their teens.

Hormonal changes related to pregnancy (different trimesters) or menstrual periods (follicular or luteal phases) can also cause or contribute to acne. In most cases number of acne is reduced during so called follicular period of the cycle.

Special attention should be paid to the environmental irritants such as pollution, intense heat, humidity or cold.

If you wish to prevent acne – better follow recommendations made by professionals.

When Expect First Period?

In general, the puberty and the menstrual cycle are genetically and hormonally determined and different girls can have different development. In different countries periods are starting at 11 -17 (depending on physical development, hormones, genetics, country location, etc). It is very personal and pre-menstrual "signals" (strange discharges, breast tense, abdomen pain, etc.) can come 1-2 days or 2-3 months or 11-12 months in advance. Some girls don’t have any pre-menstruation "signals". It depends how sensitive are you and how fast your hormones will jump up. Just don't be stressed because stress itself could make a delay. Everything has it’s time. If you would not have your cycle up to 17 – better visit your doctor.

First period usually occurs about two years after your breasts develop and between 4 and 6 months after the growth of your pubic and underarm hair.

Discover when expect your first period.

Puberty Development

There are many variations of puberty and the timing of puberty in girls can vary considerably. Sometimes girls can already feel changes as early as 8 years of age. At the same time other girls of the similar age do not begin their adolescent development until age 13. In average girls usually take 3 to 3 ½ years to complete their pubertal development, but this process could take from 2 to 6 years to complete.

Puberty includes the complex of physical and emotional changes. Mood swings, easy anger and loss of emotional control are common. The emotional turbulence may last longer than the time span of physical development. Puberty is pretty stressful period of the life. It is time of hormonal storms, it is time for body changes and it is time for first love.

In general girls are very sensitive to breast development which is very important for their social life and confidence. Breast development stages for healthy girls were developed by famous Dr Tanner many years ago. Healthy girls usually are passing 5 stages in breast development. Knowledge about breast development is very important for teenagers and their parents.

DUAL CONTRACEPTION

Very often safe sex is advertised by TV, health institutions, different youth associations and international agencies. Why it is so important? Because in XXI century sexually active population need protection not only from unplanned and unwanted pregnancies but also from sexually transmitted infections (especially from HIV). Dual protection can be a solution.

What is dual protection?

It is simultaneous use of modern effective contraception by both partners which could be an ideal way to prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and diseases.

Safe dual protection means mutual monogamy between healthy non-infected partners who chose to use modern effective contraception. Read more how insure dual protection.

KNOWLEDGE IS A POWER !

To be able to survive in this world girls and young women need a comprehensive knowledge about their body, sexuality, menstrual cycle, contraception, family planning, counselling, fertility, abortion, safe sex as well as about women rights and reproductive rights.