Diapers for your period?

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

Most women, if not all, dread days when they have their period. Especially for those whose flow is always heavy. While others can simply afford to change their menstrual pads or tampon a couple of times a day, others have to rely on both to avoid staining their clothing or beddings. Unfortunately for others, even using both is not enough. To address this some women are opting to use baby diapers.

The revelation has shocked many followers of Pokeyourmind on Facebook who say the trend is simply disgusting and a health hazard.



www.storypick.com.com

"This sounds crazy. A diaper is designed for babies's urine and not blood. There could be health hazards that could come with the use of a diaper in place of a pad. I take it that these ladies stay with these diapers longer hours than they can with a pad, that's disgusting. I can't imagine the smell," said Eugenia Muuchili.

And Champo Muyembe said" Unless I was over 80 something and had 'bathroom' issues would I be seen using a diaper. Come on, for me, this is a NO NO NO."

"Why the heck would i wear a diaper on my periods? That's insane. If you have heavy flow like me,I wear a tampon and pad at the same time and the tampon alerts me when it's full and the blood never really goes on the pad but if you can't do tampons, you can still wear your overnight pads during the day," was another comment from Belina Nyanga Chanda based in the United States.

Picture courtesy of  www.crunchymums.com

Sally Chiwama added, 'I can't imagine any one wearing a diaper on their pees. I can see and have seen, have even bought diapers for older women but in a state of illness. Am also inclined to think it's an economical issue, I cant think of any other reason. I say so because I have seen women mostly muma komboni (I beg your pardon and no offence to anyone) buy diapers mumantemba like 3 at a time or so, rather than a whole packet. That its cheaper that way... I don't know. But again there are pads that cost as low as K6 in shops, so this is hard to understand and comprehend."

However, Zimbabwe's Ruby Maps, has a different opinion, " I know I would go for diapers if they came in my size. Considering how heavy my flow is and currently having to wear 4 pads at a time. By lining them up to cover the back, front and middle part of my panties. I use 2 packs a day thats US$2*5 and having a heavy flow doesn't help with my phobia I'm scared of spoiling so in the evening I take extra care by wearing two panties lined up."

Picture  courtesy of www.dr.indiamart.com

Inonge Lubasi identified with Ruby.

"I used a diaper when I was travelling and not necessarily that they are economical but provide security of not staining. There is absolutely no health problem with diapers if they can go on a baby 's bum. How on earth will they be dangerous to an adult? The pad and the diaper are made from almost the same material if not exactly same except diapers are thicker than pads. Blood is a liquid and so most of it is absorbed in the diaper.

I was almost postponing my journey wen a friend adviced I use a diaper. From then I use a diaper 1st and 2nd day at least. A diaper can be won by a baby for 4 hours and even with pees it can go that long. You don't wear it like a baby or very sick person but you place it just like a pad making the smaller ones more comfortable. Diapers are also good to use after delivery especially for those who bleed a lot."
 
But for others like Francesca Phiri Banda, the issue may not be that straight forward.

"For me it's what works for someone as long as it doesn't pose a threat to their health.Those opting for diapers are better off because some people even in the capital city of Zambia use cloths on their menses because they can't afford pads. And let's not forget the issue of counterfeit pads which were exposed some time last year, some people may feel safer to use diapers."

So, would you trade in your pads for a diaper? PYM

Ends.../

My fibroids surgery experience

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

A conversation with a friend who recently underwent an operation to remove fibroids brought back memories of my own surgery a few years ago. Prior to the operation, I had tried my best to encourage her to remain positive, remembering my own fears when I was first diagnosed. Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus. The growths are typically benign (non-cancerous).

 

Meluse

Although I only had the operation in 2008, the diagnosis was made in 2006 after I noticed a small growth protruding near my pelvic area. At the time, apart from the occasional pain, it did not give me problems. But that did not prevent me from going into research mode. I was shocked to learn that fibroids are a common condition among women all over the world.  Not only do they come in different types, they are in different shapes and sizes too. What’s worse is that there is very little that women can do to prevent fibroids.

When I went for consultation, the doctors at Zambia’s University Teaching Hospital (UTH) located in the capital Lusaka, were assuring too, telling me it was a common condition among women of child bearing age, but more importantly that successful operations to remove fibroids were conducted regularly at the institution.

But even with such assurance, I was still fearful of many things. Not being able to wake up from the anaesthetic or my wound not healing properly, so, I made the decision not to have the operation.

Unfortunately, it didn’t take too long for the symptoms to start showing. My once flat stomach started to bulge and with it came rumours that I was pregnant. In addition to that I started to experience shortness of breath, simple activities that required me to bend over like painting toe nails or sweeping the floor. But even with that discomfort, I was determined not to have the operation.

But in late 2006, tragedy struck. My father died suddenly. I was in so much emotional pain that for the first time in my life, the thought of death did not scare me. Four months later, my sister died, not too long after I decided to have the surgery. I wish I could say the decision was thought out but I made it out of pain, hoping I would not wake up from that operation.

The D-day was January 31, 2007. As I slept in my hospital bed the night before the operation, I allowed my wonder. The doctors had diagnosed me with Pedunculated fibroids.

These are fibroids which are attached by a stalk to the uterus. The fibroids had also entered my uterus, the doctorssaid they would have to remove my uterus too. Unmarried and without a child, I asked myself how I would feel afterwards. But being the last born in a family of 11, I have many nieces and nephews, so my comfort was that I would be surrounded by many children regardless.

I had not slept much when the nurse came in to check my temperature and my blood pressure. Thinking I had researchedenough on the surgical procedure I was to have, i was shocked and felt violated when the nurse said she needed to insert a catheter (a tube tied to a bag which collects urine), as I would not be able to go to the bathroom on my own for several days. I tried to protest but according to the nurse, it was all mandatory for anyone undergoing such an operation. I gave in. Unfortunately, while I waited to be wheeled into the theatre one of the nurses noticed that the catheter was leaking, so it had to be removed and then inserted again, this time, by a male nurse.

 

I was so frustrated going into surgery. The last thing I remember before the anaesthetic took effect was protesting about the largenumber of people in the room.  Being a teaching hospital, when such operations are conducted, student doctors are usually present to observe. And while it’s understandable, I found it rather intimidating and an invasion of my privacy but I was knocked out before I could continue complaining.

I woke up several hours later, mouth dry, drifting in and out of sleep but was not allowed to eat or drink anything that day. It was only until the next day that I began to feel the pain of the operation. In-fact my entirebody hurt, if not from the operation located just above my pubic hairline, it was the cannula on my right hand where I was receiving a dose of injections. My left hand hurt too, which had a drip to replace fluids in my body because I was vomiting, so did my buttocks where I was being given another set of injections.

Perhaps the worst day was when I collapsed in the bathroom after the nurse’s insistence that I get out of bed to exercise my wound. Unfortunately, I was still weak. I don’t remember how long I was out for but I experienced a profound moment. For the first time, since my father’s death, there he was standing before me clear as day light. I was on the floor reaching out to him to help me get up but he kept pushing my hand away. 

 

I continued with my attempts to stand up until he aggressively pushed my hand away shouting ‘shala’ which in my local language Kaonde means stay.  When I came to, the nurses were fussing over me. My sisters and cousin who were at my bed side were in tears. It is the only time I ever dreamed about my father.

I spent five days in hospital. The wound healed quickly, the most pain I experienced was the time I had to clean it. I had to be helped to bath too, at least during the first week after I was discharged from hospital.I was also unable to walk straight for two weeks, afraid that I would rapture the operation. Something the doctors assured me would not happen.A month later, I was completely back on my feet, with only occasional pain on the wound whenever I exposed myself to the cold.

Years down the line, the scar is almost non-existent (will thank my dark skin) but seriously I believe it was mostly the expertise of the doctors. I have heard stories of people that say they have never completely healed and complain of constant back aches, headaches and pain in their pelvic area. I thank God I do not experience any of that.

Would I recommend that a person with fibroids has them removed? My answer would be yes, but of course doctors will advice when and if that should happen. There are many health risk factors especially for women within child bearing age. Sometimes fibroids can cause infertility, miscarriages and as was in my case, increased blood flow during menstrual periods. Fortunately for women who are menopausal, it is possible to live with them as fibroids feed on oestrogen which is high in women of child bearing age but is low in those who nearing menopause.

 

Overall, when faced with the decision whether to have an operation or not, i hope you choose the right method of treatment that is appropriate for you. And by the way, incase you are wondering, i still have my uterus. PYM

 

Yeast Infection : What you should know

 

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

 

I would like to welcome you all to the new year. Apologies that it has taken me a little longer than usual to get down to responding to your queries. It could not be helped. I had to let our consulting doctors enjoy the festive holiday.

So, our first query for the year 2015 is on Yeast Infection. I spoke to Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu, a consultant Gynaecologist at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

Pokeyourmind :  What is Yeast Infection and how common is this condition among women?

Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu

Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu : Yeast infection is a result of over growth of a fungus Candida Albicans, which is normally found in small amounts in the vagina. There are reasons why it can grow out of control e.g.

 
(a) Change in the acidity of the vagina caused by washing the vagina, outing detergents, powders and chemicals in the vagina, long term use of antibiotics which destroy necessary acid forming vaginal bacteria, douching, or even herbs or wearing tight or wet underwear.

(b) change in the sugar levels as in diabetes

(c) change in hormone profiles particularly in late stages of pregnancy when estrogens and progesterones increase including external sourced cortisones found in skin toning medicines normally used by many women to look brown

(d) change in the immunity status whether by untreated HIV or by taking drugs that lower immunity.

Pokeyourmind : Can it be sexually transmitted?

Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu : It can be transmitted by oral sex or penetrative sex although men don't usually have prolonged genital yeast.  Oral sex transmission is because the mouth can have yeast, a condition called thrush or candidiasis.

Pokeyourmind : What type of treatment is recommended?

Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu : Symptoms such as excessive discharge, itching or burning/itching urination signify yeast infection. It is important to see a doctor since the root cause must be detected. Some treatments that require insertion medications are not good in state of pregnancy. All these cautions need a doctor to verify. Many people treat themselves wrongly with antibiotics or metronidazole making the situation worse.

Pokeyourmind : Can women continue to be sexually active while receiving treatment?

Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu : It is advisable to stop sex during treatment until treatment ends.

Pokeyourmind : What preventive measures should women take to avoid getting the infection?

Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu : Prevention measures include not wearing tight or wet clothing, removing swimming clothes immediately and anal wiping direction from front to back. It is equally important to AVOID washing the vagina using detergents, powders and chemicals. Avoid long term use of antibiotics which destroy necessary acid forming vaginal bacteria, douching, or even herbs.

 

Pokeyourmind : Are there any special foods that women should be eating to avoid infection?
Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu : Diet is not emphasized, but a good intake of yogurt after a course of antibiotics or general poor health is encouraged as this may restore normal levels of a bacteria called lactobacillus, through a "desirable" anal vaginal cross contamination. PYM 

Ladies and Booze

By Meluse Kapatamoyo

People who consume alcohol will give you different reasons as to why they drink. But while those reasons may differ, the ultimate purpose is to get relaxation, not only of the body but also the mind.

It is therefore common to see colleagues and friends alike meeting for alcoholic beverages at their favorite drinking spots after working hours.

Although a few years back, this trend seemed to be a reserve for men, the bar is no longer a domain for men alone. For some women, a trip to the bar after a stressful day at the office for a few bottles of beer or glasses of wine is now the normal. It is for this reason that it is now believed that women are drinking more than they did a few years ago, an assertion that Tsute Mwale refutes.

“The only difference now is that women are more independent and don’t mind as much what men think. They see themselves to be at par with their male counterparts.  People will say women are drinking more now, I disagree, it’s only that in the past they were secretive about it and now they are not. It’s a liberation process,” Tsute said.

For Tsute, it is wrong for people to brand women who drink from bars as being loose and irresponsible as most are decent and are just out to have a good time and on many occasions with their female friends.

Tsute Mwale

“A woman has many roles, not only is she a career woman, she has to be a wife and mother among many other things and all these things can be very exhausting. Some choose to have a few drinks to unwind before going home to another hectic environment. I see nothing wrong with that unless she begins to neglect her family in preference for alcohol and hanging out with her friends.”

Tsute who herself is an occasional drinker and a mother of one girl says she prefers to invite friends over with their children. She says that way not only do the parents get to spend time and watch over their children, the mothers too can enjoy some downtime with adult company while drinking moderately.

It's difficult to obtain the actual statistics in Zambia as very few research has been done with regards to alcohol but what is considered moderate drinking?

The United States Department ofAgriculture (USDA) defines moderate drinking as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. For women who drink above average, the health risks are many; Liver damage, heart disease, breast cancer among many others.

Dr Francis Mupeta, the Secretary General of the Resident Doctors Association Of Zambia adds that "an individual who is dis-inhibited will engage in activities they would not normally do if they were sober such as unprotected sex, a public nuisance and disorderly conduct.

"Alcohol can also disturb the menstrual cycle and eventually infertility. Alcohol also exposes a woman to physical and sexual abuse."

And while chronic heavy drinking is a leading cause of heart disease, women are more susceptible to alcohol-related heart disease than men, even though women drink less alcohol over a lifetime than men.

"It should be noted that women are more susceptible to the effects of alcohol than men. This is because they have more body fat than men," Dr Mupeta emphasized.

The USDA also notes that “there is an association between drinking alcohol and developing breast cancer. Women who consume about one drink per day have a 10 percent higher chance of developing breast cancer than women who do not drink at all."

For pregnancies, any drinking during pregnancy is risky. A pregnant woman who drinks heavily puts her fetus at risk for learning and behavioral problems and abnormal facial features. Even moderate drinking during pregnancy can cause problems.

And SABMiller, the main distributor of popular alcoholic beverages in Zambia in its 2011 Position Paper on Pregnancy and Alcohol states that pregnant women should either not drink alcohol or seek medical advice before they do.

“Though we recognise that consumers are ultimately responsible for their own drinking decisions, our advertising does not suggest that drinking during pregnancy is acceptable behaviour,” reads part of the company’s position statement on alcohol and pregnancy.

The paper further states that a cluster of genetic anomalies, classified as FoetalAlcohol Syndrome (FAS) or Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has been found in some children born to women who are either dependent on or abuse alcohol during pregnancy.

FASD is a birth defect that has its primary effect on the brain. The anomalies include pre and postnatal growth deficiency, distinctive facial features and central nervous system dysfunction.  

“Other foetal conditions associated with drinking during pregnancy are heart and kidney defects, hearing and sight impairment, cleft lip, and other brain and central nervous system dysfunction. But in women who are light or infrequent drinkers, there is no conclusive evidence of increased risk of foetal harm or miscarriage,” says SABMiller.

Dr Mupeta counters SABMiller warning that "alcohol crosses the placenta and can affect the baby. It is teratogenic meaning it has the ability to form 'cancers' in fetuses. A baby can also be born with a condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome which leads to physical, mental and behavioral disorders in children."

"The effects of alcohol on an infant can be as disastrous as that of unborn one. Some of the pronounced ones are brain damage. The infant would have delayed development milestones such as sitting, walking and speech. These children end up with learning disabilities in school."

While understandably there is a justified scorn towards women who drink whilst pregnant, Pastor Isaac Makashinyi of Emmasdale Baptist Church says alcohol has a negative impact on marriages and families.

Pastor Makashinyi says ”alcohol breeds suspicion and tension in the marriage. Husbands of spouses who drink away from home naturally begin to suspect their wives of extramarital affairs with other men. Furthermore, the tension builds up due to the negative feelings that begin to develop toward the alcoholic wife because of the smell of stale alcohol on their breath.”

Such acts open the door for infidelity in the marriage by one spouse or both. The non- alcoholic husband may turn to someone else for comfort, while the alcoholic wife may betray the marriage as a result of a wrong decision made while under the influence of the alcohol.

The hurt felt from this betrayal of trust in a marriage often times causes the end of the marriage. Alcohol causes the drinker to have strange and adulterous thoughts, produces willfulness, and prevents reformation because it makes one unstable.

Dr Mupeta explains that "alcohol increases sexual arousal and desire by psychologically dishibiting them! This makes them (women) more vulnerable to unwanted sexual advances from men. Women who drink were more likely to have unprotected sex and therefore more likely to contract sexually transmitted infections.

On the other hand, alcohol is a suppressant therefore it tends to cause latency in achieving orgasm and less intense orgasmic experiences. Alcohol also affects the ability of an individual to relax, therefore affecting the 'coming' of a woman during intercourse."

Pastor Makashinyi also warned that “in situations where alcohol is present, differences between spouses become more frequent and intense. And because the marital quality is decreased, these differences increase the likelihood of divorce. Drinking has an impact on the amount of time that partners spend together, especially if the alcoholic frequently drinks away from home. The more time spent apart, the less satisfied the nonalcoholic spouse becomes and the greater the potential for divorce, “

He added that alcohol also increases irrational behaviour such as anger and because marital satisfaction is related strongly to a couple's ability to communicate effectively, heavy alcohol use is associated with more negative and hostile communication, more expressions of anger, and less warmth and unity in the relationship.

These factors, he says decrease a couple’s satisfaction in their marriage and create greater tension and violent behaviour. In Proverbs 4:17, the Bible refers to alcoholic drink as “the wine of violence.”

In the clergy’s view children who grow up in an alcoholic home environment may develop emotional problems, such as anxiety and behavioral outburst. Such children who rarely have quality time with their mother in a sober state begin to feel unloved and lonely and hence develop serious emotional and developmental problems.

According to Pastor Makashinyi, “Drinking mothers simply don't have the time for effective and responsible parenting.”

Besides the many problems already said, alcohol affects medications such as oral contraceptives and makes them less potent. This results in a woman falling pregnant despite being on the pill.

There are some ARV’s which are hepatogenic (capable of affecting the liver). When these are combined with alcohol, they can accelerate liver damage or they may be made less potent by alcohol. PYM.