Hi, Girls!

Remember, your Gynaec needs are different from that of your Mom !!

I am aware, you may not look forward to your first gynaecology appointment with joy, but in a way, you could look at it as a kind of adventure. Think of it as a passage in growing up and becoming the independent, in-control and wise woman you plan to be.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

PMS includes both physical and emotional symptoms that many girls and women get right before their periods, such as:

It can take up to 2 years from a girl's first period for her body to develop a regular cycle.

Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods)

Dysmenorrhea is severely painful menstruation that can interfere with a girl's ability to attend school, study, or sleep.

Having cramps for a day or 2 each month is common, but signs of dysmenorrhea should be discussed with your child's doctor.

When to Call Your Child's Doctor

Although most period problems aren't cause for alarm, certain symptoms do call for a trip to the doctor. This is particularly true if a girl's normal cycle changes. So take your daughter to her doctor if she:

• hasn't started her period by the time she's 16 or her period hasn't become regular after 3 years of menstruating.
• stops getting her period or it becomes irregular after it has been regular for about 6 months or longer.
• has extremely heavy or long periods, especially if her cycle is short and she gets her period frequently.
• has very painful periods.

EDUCATION ABOUT SEX AND HIV

What is HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus )?

HIV is a virus. HIV stands for the 'Human Immunodeficiency Virus'. Someone who is diagnosed as infected with HIV is said to be 'HIV+' or 'HIV positive'.

How can HIV transmission be prevented?

HIV can be transmitted in three main ways:

• Sexual transmission
• Transmission through blood
• Mother-to-child transmission

Sexual transmission

Someone can eliminate or reduce their risk of becoming infected with HIV during sex by choosing to:

• Abstain from sex or delay first sex
• Be faithful to one partner or have fewer partners
• Condomise, which means using male or female condoms consistently and correctly