Sexual and Reproductive Health (Page 4)

internet porn use

By:
On:
In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

In the 80’s and 90’s the closest we came to porn were productions similar to ‘Colpo grosso’ on Italian or Sicilian television or if you knew the right people you could get copies of the Playboy magazine or look out for page 3 girls on The Sun. In fact, in Malta pornography and obscene material was illegal until 2016 even if directed to an adult audience. As late as 2011, the Maltese Court of Criminal Appeal upheld the conviction against soft and hardcore pornographic films being aired at City Lights Theatre in Valletta. However, in 2015, the then Minister of Social Justice Owen Bonnici startedRead More…

miscarriage

By:
On:
In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

In a Facebook post back in 2015, Mark Zuckerberg shared that miscarriage was a ‘lonely experience’ and that ‘you struggle on your own’. He and his wife were expecting a baby girl after having three miscarriages. At the time, the post received 1.7 million likes and the couple received widespread praise for their openness to discuss such a difficult subject. Research indicates, that miscarriages are the most common complication of pregnancy occurring in up to one in four pregnancies. This loss can have devastating effects in both men and women facing this experience. Unfortunately, in most cultures, miscarriage still is a taboo subject and couplesRead More…

Anogenital Human Papilloma Virus

By:
On:
In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Women

What is Anogenital Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)? •Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a group of viruses consisting of more than 100 different types.  •Most people who have genital HPV do not know they have it.  •There are often no symptoms.  •You can pass HPV to others without knowing it.  •There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers.  •There are vaccines that can stop these health problems from health problems from happening. How does someone get Anogenital Human Papilloma Virus? HPV is transmitted by skin to skin contact. Skin to skin contact in the genital regionRead More…

contraception education

By:
On:
In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

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

By:
On:
In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

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

By:
On:
In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

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

By:
On:
In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

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…

am i menopausal menopause symptoms

By:
On:
In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

“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…

parentcraft services malta

By:
On:
In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

Parentcraft Services is a free-standing Unit, forming part of the Obstetric Department and situated at Level 1, Block E, Mater Dei Hospital. Parentcraft Services offered by parentcraft midwives provide education and support during and after the pregnancy. While gathering information for this article I had the pleasure to talk to the very dedicated Charge Midwife and Parentcraft Services Coordinator, Louise Bugeja, who took the time to explain in detail the many educational opportunities that are being offered through this unit. Ms Bugeja explained that education is mainly carried out through team meetings offered to expectant mothers/couples, mothers with twin pregnancies, grandparents, and mothers with consecutiveRead More…

maltese women who say abortion saved their lives

By:
On:
In: Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health

Over the past five years many women have shared their abortion experiences in confidence with me.  So far, none of them has ever told me she regrets it. On the contrary most of the women I have spoken to have told me it was the best thing they did, and they have absolutely no regrets.  I would like to share a couple of their experiences. Abortion is about compassion and understanding. UK statistics for 2018 show that 90% of all abortions in the UK happen before 12 weeks. Having a termination before 12 weeks of pregnancy is like having a miscarriage. Maltese women are havingRead More…