Women’s health

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Gynaecology

Does endometriosis mean you can’t fall pregnant?

No. The good news is that even with severe endometriosis, natural conception is still possible.

Gynaecology

Why new moms have to consider contraception differently

You’ve just become a mother and your whole world has begun to revolve around your new bundle of joy. While another baby might be the last thing on your mind (it might be the first) it could be on your radar if you haven’t had a post-partum discussion with your gynaecologist a

Diabetes

Are there female-specific risk factors for diabetes?

Diabetes is now the leading cause of female deaths in South Africa, according to figures from Statistics South Africa. With coronary heart disease established as the leading cause of death in people with diabetes, an endocrinologist at Mediclinic Worcester looks at the risk factors for diabetes that are exclusive to women.

Cancer

Is a mastectomy required or are there other options for breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a treatable disease and early diagnosis significantly improves the survival rate.  Many women now have the option of preserving their breasts. Dr Mariza Tunmer, a specialist radiation oncologist at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, explains non-surgical treatment options.

Healthy Life

Iodine: the essential nutrient you never knew you needed

Dr Malcolm Sandler, an endocrinologist at Mediclinic Panorama, explains what iodine is, how deficiency occurs, how this impacts the body, and how iodine deficiency is prevented.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Scrub areas in theatre are a minimum of 2.1m wide to accommodate at least two people at a time.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic Cape Town is accredited as a mother and baby friendly institution, having scored 100% at a recent external review.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We found a practical solution to a shortage of theatre nurses by becoming a registered teaching institution.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • The only one in Africa and one of only 13 in the world, the P-I BrÅnemark Institute of Excellence at Mediclinic Morningside, specialises in facial reconstruction.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our corridors are 2.3m wide allowing two beds to pass one another without any interference.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • To prevent harmful bacteria being absorbed by mattresses we use protective under sheets made from polypropylene.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We monitor the temperature of our neonatal units as newborn babies are extremely sensitive to temperature change.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic is one of the three leading private hospital groups in Southern Africa and the sixth largest private healthcare group in the world.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We use the internationally recognised Oxford Vermont Network to keep our neonatal critical care units at the forefront of paediatric medicine.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • To ensure sterility, our surgical instruments are twice wrapped in sterile fabric.
    #MediclinicFacts
Cardiology

Why women might not know they’re having a heart attack

If you’re a woman, you might not experience the acute chest pain normally associated with a heart attack. “Getting immediate, appropriate care from your closest emergency room is the single

Cancer

Cervical cancer: Risks, preventative measures, and treatment by stages

Cervical cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer affecting SA women. Yet too many women have questions: what is your risk, how does it develop, and how is it treated? Mediclinic pathologist Dr Izak Loftus explains.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • We place oxygen-releasing, toxin-absorbing plants, like Sanseviera Trifasciata, around our hospitals.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • We found a practical solution to a shortage of theatre nurses by becoming a registered teaching institution.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic Cape Town is accredited as a mother and baby friendly institution, having scored 100% at a recent external review.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • To ensure sterility, our surgical instruments are twice wrapped in sterile fabric.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our hospitals have been awarded international accreditation for best practice in the management of environmental systems and practices.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • The triage admission system in our emergency centres has been able to reduce mortality by up to 50%.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Nurses can observe patients at all times as critical care units are designed like a beehive with the nurses’ station in the middle.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Our expert breastfeeding advice is based on the principles of the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Health Organisation.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • A baby has a 70% better chance of surviving a motor vehicle accident if in a secure car seat and properly restrained.
    #MediclinicFacts
  • Mediclinic has the highest number of internationally accredited facilities in Southern Africa.
    #MediclinicFacts
Cancer

These five health screenings for women could save your life [infographic]

Some of the cancers that most often affect women are breast, cervical, colon, endometrial and lung cancers. Knowing what you can do to detect them early (when they are small and easier to treat) is crucial.

sleep, do women need more sleep than men
Endocrinology

Do women need more sleep than men?

Do those of us with XX chromosomes need more ZZs than our XY counterparts? Sleep is essential to wellbeing. Depending on age or life stage, most people need between seven

birth control, contraception, advances in birth control
Gynaecology

Birth control: contraception methods then and now

While today we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to contraception, the birth control pill only came to the market 58 years ago. We look back to see how far

HPV, HPV vaccine. age limit
Cancer

Is there an age limit to get the HPV vaccine?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections responsible for more than 90% of cervical cancers in women and anal cancers in men and women.

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