Sexual And Reproductive Health

Inspiring lifelong health and wellness for men and women

Sexual health encompasses physical and mental wellness around one’s reproductive health and making sound decisions around safe sex and childbearing. Access to quality healthcare services and information is a first step towards good sexual and reproductive health. With the right tools, both men and women can make positive and personal choices that enable them to live their best lives.

A Focus On Women

A woman’s life stages are based on her reproductive cycle, starting from the first menstrual period through to the years beyond menopause. For women, the type of health care, support and advice changes within each stage. Empowered with the right tools at these stages, women can make healthcare decisions that will enable them to feel their best in every phase.

Key areas:

• Start of menstruation and managing the monthly cycle
• Understanding one’s sexuality
• Contraception
• Reducing the risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and treatment or management of infections
• Menstrual/hormonal problems
• Mental health concerns, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Sexual dysfunction (low libido, orgasmic disorders, pain during sex etc.)
• Reproductive health – the right to choose when to start a family
• Pregnancy planning – before conception
• Support and treatment for infertility
• Prenatal healthcare – quality care for mother and baby
• Labour and birth options
• Postnatal care and support
• Female cancers
• Sterilisation (permanent contraception)
• Perimenopause and menopause

A Focus on Men

Men’s sexual and reproductive health needs may be overlooked as more emphasis is placed on women’s healthcare. However, there is a distinct need for improved focus on the sexual health needs of boys and men. Through research, healthcare providers have identified that men are much less likely to seek out healthcare then their female counterparts. Through focused education, men can be encouraged to make positive choices that promote lifelong sexual health and wellness.

Key areas:

• Education for boys – changes in puberty
• Sexuality – making choices regarding sex
• Contraception – playing an active role in decision making with a partner
• Reducing the risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and treatment or management of infections
• Sexual dysfunction (low libido, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low testosterone etc.)
• Infertility
• Male cancers
• Vasectomy

Preventative Healthcare

The foundation of good health is the same at any age for both sexes – healthy eating, adequate exercise and regular health check-ups. Preventative healthcare is based on the principle that treating a potential health issue can be easier than dealing with a problem that is more advanced. Screenings are a tool healthcare providers use to detect certain conditions before they become life-threatening.

For women and men:

• Annual health check-up

Important screenings for health conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus and cholesterol levels. Both women and men who do not know their HIV status should get tested. Screenings for other STIs may be required, based on presenting symptoms or as determined by a healthcare provider. The annual check-up may include a breast check and pap smear for women and a prostate check for men.

• Vaccination

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The vaccine offers protection against the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. The vaccine is given to girls from nine to 13 years of age. Three doses are required. Young adults can have the vaccine, up to 26 years of age. Ideally, girls should receive the vaccine before they become sexually active as this offers the best chance of protection.

Boys can also take the HPV vaccine. Research indicates that HPV infection can lead to genital warts and some cancers, including that of the penis, anus, throat and mouth. Boys between 11 and 12 years of age may take the vaccine, or if they did not receive it, between 13 and 21 years. It can also be administered up to 26 years.

For women:

• Pap smear

A pap smear or pap test detects changes in the cells of the cervix. The healthcare provider will take a sample of cells from the woman’s cervix and place it on a glass slide. The sample is sent to a laboratory. If changes in the cells are noted, treatment can commence immediately, before the lesions become cancerous. Sexually active women should have a pap smear at least every three years. Through Tshela’s cervical cancer screenings, we have identified women with overt cervical cancer and cervical pre-cancerous lesions. These women were able to receive treatment and care for their diagnosis.

• Annual mammogram

In addition to monthly breast self-exams, women should have a mammogram, a special x-ray of the breast that can detect early-stage breast cancer. Women are encouraged to have annual mammograms from age 40. However, those who fall into the high-risk group, notably women with a family history of breast cancer, should consider the test from age 35 years, or as advised by a healthcare provider.

For men:

• Prostate screening. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a finger prick blood test. The test measures levels of PSA, a protein that is produced by tissue of the prostrate. Higher levels may indicate inflammation and warrant further testing. Men aged 40 to 45, depending on a family history of breast or prostate cancer, should be tested annually. Black men are at higher risk and should also consider testing from age 45 years. Tests every two years are indicated for all men over 50 years. A digital rectal exam (DRE) is advised for men over 50. The test is performed by a healthcare provider and may form part of an annual check-up. Further testing may be offered if the prostate is enlarged. The test can also reveal an abnormal mass in the rectum or anus, that may require further investigation.
• Men are also urged to conduct regular breast self-exams and monthly testicular self-exams. Any lumps in breast tissue or lumps, swelling or pain or a heaviness in the scrotum should be reported to a healthcare provider.

How can we help? With convenient access to healthcare information and services, men and women can make healthy lifestyle choices. Tshela focuses on improving health outcomes through preventative healthcare, education and community development projects.

To get involved with preventative healthcare programmes or for bespoke solutions for your company, contact us on 053 712 0016 or click on Contacts.

Interested in reading about sexual health, intimacy and sex during pregnancy? Read our article “Intimacy In Pregnancy”.

Resources: Resources: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/; https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/ https://www.webmd.com/; https://medlineplus.gov/; https://www.healthline.com/; https://www.mayoclinic.org/; https://www.familyplanning.org.nz/; https://health-e.org.za/; https://www.health.harvard.edu/; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/; https://cansa.org.za/