Health (Page 8)

world contraception day 2021

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In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

Artificial contraception empowers girls and women, it allows for us women to plan our lives and to control the number and spacing of our children. However only condoms prevent sexually transmitted infections and diseases that are rampant in Malta. I believe that in Malta we still don’t give enough importance to contraception, especially to condoms and we do not discuss the fact that condoms are still not widely used by many boys and men in Malta. In fact, statistics show that 75% of Maltese sexually active people do not use condoms. Very worrying too is the recent study by the World Health Organisation called theRead More…

world contraception day

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In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

The month of September is known for many reasons – for some it can be a month filled with anxiety and excitement since a new scholastic year would be starting for their children or even themselves; others might experience certain melancholic feelings due to it being a month known for suicide awareness. September is also known for the celebration of another ‘special’ day – no, we do not throw a feast for this day, however we usually get more information about necessities which not only improve our lifestyle to a certain extent, but also reduce some anxieties and fears. The 26th of September is WorldRead More…

vaginismus

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In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

Netflix Sex Education Season 2 finale opens with a sex scene between Lily and Ola who had in the previous season admitted they did not want to remain “just friends”. All seems well until Ola unzips Lily’s silver skirt and inserts her hand. “Ow” Lily shouts, “Did I do something wrong?” asks Ola? “It’s not you, it’s me. I have something called vaginismus. My vagina is like a venus flytrap”. Vaginismus, or what is now part of the Genito-Pelvic Pain Penetration Disorders consists of an involuntary spasm of the vaginal muscles causing the vagina to close, resulting in penetration being painful, difficult or at timesRead More…

world suicide prevention day

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In: Health, Mental Health

The 10th of September is known as World Suicide Prevention Day – some may also look at the month of September as a month of awareness for such a matter. This day or month, depending on what way you’d like to see it, not only increases awareness, but also helps in diminishing the detrimental idea that talking to each other about mental health issues as well as suicide, is some sort of taboo. When speaking about such an important and life-threatening issue we helps in reducing the stigma and feelings of shame and at the same time reducing the risk. Communication is a very importantRead More…

pro-choice

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In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

It is undeniable that the abortion debate has been sitting in the hotseat for a while now, but many seem to confuse the term ‘pro-choice’ with ‘pro-abortion’, even though they aren’t the same – or at least the way I see it… Pro-choice to me means exactly what it sounds like. It is about ‘choice’ in the very sense of the word; about recognising that women have the right to say if and when they will bear children and demanding that this right be respected. Pro-lifers often talk about abortions and people who are pro-choice as if it is enjoyable to see such procedures happenRead More…

contraception myths

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In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

Whilst a lot of contraceptives and birth control methods are considered to be very effective in preventing pregnancy, there is also a lot of unfounded contraception misinformation out there that can hinder the associated prevention success rates. For this reason, we at wham thought of compiling a list of contraception myths along with the rationale for each, to prevent misinformation from leading towards unwanted surprises. Myth #1: “I’m breastfeeding, I cannot get pregnant”. Breastfeeding may prolong the return of your period. However, whilst there are women who experience months or even a year or two period-free whilst still breastfeeding, there are women who get theirRead More…

headaches

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In: Health, Physical Health

Headaches are a common health problem. Most people experience at some time in their lifetime. Common headaches types The most common type of headache is a tension type headache. At least one in three men and half of women suffer from tension type headaches. Tension type headaches are described as a tightening around the head which is often in the front of the head or around the temples. It is present on both sides and is mild to moderate in pain severity. It is commonly associated with stress. Migraines is a common health condition affecting at least one in seven adults. It is more prevalent in womenRead More…

your body is listening to you

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In: Fitness and Nutrition, Health

Your body is listening all the time. This is a phrase I commonly heard but rarely put any notice to. However, lately I experienced how this is very true. I was listening to some music while walking and sad, slow music hit my brain. Immediately my mood changed to a saddened mode. After a while I decided to put something more energetic and without even putting any effort my mood started to improve once again. This is where I realized that our brains are like sponges to what is being inserted in them even through the most subtle ways. If a random song can effectRead More…

mental illness

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In: Health, Mental Health

It is no secret that in Malta, public discussion about mental health (like many other topics that concern the well-being and fair treatment of others and our environment) is left wanting. Whilst there has been a general improvement in the discussion, and there have been an increasing number of educational campaigns occurring by non-profits such as the Richmond Foundation and media houses such as FreeHour, this is only the start. There is still a sense of shame and insensitivity that surrounds the topic of mental health and mental illness, and they need to be addressed as root causes of mental health stigma. One event displayingRead More…

sex secrets shame

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In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

For decades, sex education in Malta was focused on abstinence and not getting a sexually transmitted infection. In the 80’s and 90’s, for example, the approach to sex education was not a sex-positive one, and sexual desire and sexual needs, especially outside of marriage were generally seen as immoral and wrong. Choosing to have sex in a long-term, heterosexual monogamous relationship was deemed to be the most appropriate course of action. The underlying message was that we are better people, better women, when we choose to reject and live ‘above the needs of the flesh’. Unfortunately, this seems to have left a whole generation withRead More…