Breast Health

Ladies, girls, please, do your breast self exams, check for any changes or lumps in your breasts, and report back to your doctor if you find anything that is not normal, or that concerns you.

Healthy breasts come in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures, including lumpy. Your breasts can go through a variety of healthy changes in your lifetime, but it doesn't hurt to tell your doctor about these changes when you experience them, especially if you find any of the following abnormalities:

• Distinct single lumps that are either hard or soft
• Changes in breast shape. This can include dimpling (depression), bulges, or flattening. 
• Changes in skin colour or texture. This can include redness, skin that has the texture of an orange peel, thickening, roughness or puckering. 
• Bloody or cloudy discharge
• Breast sores that don't heal
• Changes in nipple location or shape

Causes of breast changes can include: hitting puberty, the menstrual cycle, weight changes, pregnancy, menopause and birth control pills.

Pap Smear Once (or Twice) Per Year

Depending on your results and what your doctor recommends, you should be going for a Pap Smear once or twice a year. The Pap Test, also called the Pap Smear, "checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus... that opens into the vagina" (Source= http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/pap-test.cfm#a). During the test, a doctor or gynecologist inserts a speculum into the vagina, allowing him/her to collect a number of cells from the outer opening of the cervix. The test lasts a maximum of 5 minutes and is uncomfortable at times, but is virtually painless.

I cannot stress how important it is for young girls and women to get at least an annual pap test. Pap tests can help prevent, and treat cervical cancer; they also screen for HPV (Human Pappillomavirus), which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The test can also help to detect many STD's/STI's. Nothing really negative can be said about the pap test, and so, please, GET YOUR PAP!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a side note, some things to remember at least 2 days before getting your pap are:
- Do not use vaginal creams, foams or jellies
- Do not have sex
- Do not use tampons

Doing any of these activities on the days before your pap can cause incorrect results. If you forget and do one of the above activities, talk to your doctor about whether or not you should reschedule your pap for another day.

Talk to your doctor/gynecologist if you have any questions about HPV, Cervical Cancer, or the Pap.

If you would like to take the Woman's Health Magazine's Online Quiz on Cervical Cancer, click on this link: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/cervical-cancer-quiz

Spitting on Yeast Infections

This just in, using spit as a lube may cause a yeast infection. I know what you're thinking, and I'm thinking it too. "Ewwwwwwwwwwww!" Also, if a man/woman (I'm no homophobe) gives you oral sex, this could also cause a yeast infection, possibly from the spit in general, or from something that is known as 'thrush', which is basically just a yeast infection (candida) of the mouth. What causes thrush?? Certain medications such as birth control pills and antibiotics, stress and certain illnesses can all cause thrush. Partners can transmit this yeast to one another through the mouth and the genitals. Please, talk to your doctor if you suspect you or your partner have any sort of a yeast infection.
Symptoms of a thrush in the mouth are pain or difficulty swallowing, the feeling that a piece of food is lodged in the chest or throat, and possibly a fever. 
Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are: irritation, itching, thick white discharge, redness, soreness and swelling of the vagina and vulva. Causes of a vaginal yeast infection are many and include wearing clothes that are too tight, certain antibiotics or birth control pills, spermicides, perfumed toiletries (toilet paper!), lotions, and femenie hygiene products, douching or using tampons, or, of course, sexual contact (either oral or genital) with a carrier of the candida infection. (Source= avert.org/stds.htm).
NB: candida is often not considered a sexually transmitted disease/infection, because sex is not required for the infection to surface.
I hope this has taught you a thing or two about yeast infections!

Hypoallergenic Toilet Paper

So, in my research into this whole 'vaginitis' conundrum, I've discovered a bit of a break through! It could be.................. the Toilet Paper!!! I read a study that suggests an allergy to toilet paper (or to an ingredient that they put it the toilet paper ie. fragrance, chemicals, etc.) could be what's making those girl parts itch. But honestly, where's one to find hypoallergenic toilet paper? Perhaps in a health food store or organic store or something? I have yet to go looking, but if I find anything, I'll let y'all know. In the meantime though, there is something you can do that could help curb your itching. Instead of wiping your vagina after you pee, try 'dabbing' it, lightly, so that you transfer as little as the toilet paper onto your body as possible. Now, it may not be the toilet paper that is the culprit for the itchiness, but, it can't hurt to start ruling things out, right?