Health (Page 12)

contraception education

Contraceptive education and accessibility are pillars of sexual health… Contraception, or lack thereof, marks the beginning of so many issues and controversies. Such a simple, yet effective, concept often neglected by systems and institutions out of embarrassment and self-righteousness, only to then reprimand (and in Malta’s case, criminalise) the only solutions to one of the biggest issues that arise out of the insufficient knowledge of contraception. By systems and institutions I’m primarily referring to those of education and financial support – not only is there a problem with education but there’s also a lack when it comes to accessibility. According to the introduction of theRead More…

sex intimacy and relationships

Menopause is associated with various changes which may affect a woman’s sex life. Lower hormonal levels, for example can lower your sex drive or make vaginal tissue drier and thinner, resulting in uncomfortable sex. Increased irritability or feelings of stress are common around this time, and sleep may be impaired by night sweats and hot flushes. However, sex and intimacy during and after menopause are not only about loss. Research studies focusing on this particular time in a woman’s life indicate that menopause can also be an opportunity for growth, healing and increased sexual pleasure and satisfaction. A woman can feel more empowered during herRead More…

gender sexual and relationship diversity

A few weeks ago I got this message from a colleague and friend that revolves around the subject of gender, sexual and relationship diversity: “I see young women nowadays struggle to understand their sexuality, whether they are hetero, homosexual, bisexual, asexual, pansexual or demisexual…so many terms I did not hear or know about growing up. It seems to me that through the sexual education teens are getting at school, there seems to be an increasing stress due to the need to conform to a particular sexuality. My daughter knows that I would accept her and support her in anything she chooses to be, so thatRead More…

nina lessi maltese erotica

Nina Lessi is both an erotica platform and a movement. It revolves around the empowerment of women and sexual liberation, all the while educating women on their own bodies. Women’s sexual pleasure has historically been ignored, and consequences of this can still be seen today. With a deep gender-oriented orgasm gap for straight couples (lesbian couples appear to be doing a lot better, at least!), things aren’t looking up in the area of straight women’s climaxing. We sat down with Nina Lessi to learn all about them: how they’re different from regular sex sites, how they plan to shrink the orgasm-gap, how they empower women,Read More…

dealing with mental health

Dealing with mental illness as a single mother can be tough, especially when your biggest fear is that of having your kids taken away from you if you attempt to seek psychological or psychiatric help… My marriage was a complete wreck, I had to walk out. When I finally found enough courage to leave with my four kids, I had to face new challenges. Broken as I was, I had to find a place to call home. Family and friends helped me out to find a place with low rent, they also helped me out with buying basic needs for the new home. I hadRead More…

hair loss why does hair loss happen

Curly or straight, long or short, blonde or brunette, our hair is part of our identity, so it’s not easy when it starts to fall or thin out. There are many reasons why hair loss happens and very often, there are ways to treat it. Although, not getting bothered over it is okay too.  Why does hair loss happen? Hair goes through three main stages: a growing phase (takes 3-5 years), an intermediate phase (2 weeks’ long) and a shedding phase. Under normal circumstances, we lose about 50 to 100 hairs on a daily basis. Our hair follicles can be in any of the threeRead More…

cervical cancer awareness month

This Cervical Cancer awareness month of January, WHO are encouraging women to get informed, get screened, and get vaccinated. Cervical cancer can be prevented and treated, if caught early. Cervical Cancer Symptoms Symptoms of cervical cancer may not be evident immediately, which is why, screening is the best way to prevent it. However, the first signs that usually show up are related to bleeding, mainly bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause or bleeding during or after sex. Thus, it is important that you visit your GP immediately if you experience any bleeding of this sort. Cervical Cancer Screening Cervical cancer can be most effectively controlledRead More…

I took the covid vaccine

“I took the Covid19 vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech to protect myself and the community I serve”, says Specialist Public Health Nurse Tracy… The much-awaited Covid-19 Vaccine has finally arrived in Malta. Malta’s healthcare workers are the first to have started to receive the vaccine. Many people are still apprehensive about the vaccine and are not keen to be the first to take it. Wham spoke to Tracy from Berkshire in the UK, a Specialist Public Health Nurse – Health Visitor. Tracy is 59 years old, half Maltese and works with mothers and families with children 0 to 5 years old. Tracy works in her community as aRead More…

spa and wellness

Through her programs at Sanya Eco Spa and Wellness Centre, Yasmin helps people overcome stress and burn-out as well as to find a deeper sense of well-being and inner peace. But what exactly is the difference between stress and burn-out? If before COVID-19 stress and anxiety were a big concern, now they are simply top priority. COVID has pushed many people, and particularly women to the brink. That brink is called burn-out. The first important thing to keep in mind is that there is a big difference between being stressed and being burnt out. The body is resilient to stress, we can handle a certainRead More…

am i menopausal menopause symptoms

“Am I menopausal?” “Is it really as hot as I feel it is, or am I experiencing menopause?” “Am I experiencing menopause symptoms?” How many times do we hear such questions? Or even remark in the same way, especially during hot summer days? Truth is, this is a phase we women have to go through eventually, and so, it makes sense that the thought lingers through our minds, even earlier on in life. Menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant in a natural way. Menopause is defined as 12 months without a menstrual bleed, in theRead More…