Blogs

Self-care is not a new concept, nor does it apply exclusively to abortion. For decades, this approach has been promoted by health experts as a best practice to guaranteeing positive health outcomes, and more recently, within contraception and abortion programmes.

Hepatitis can be caused by drinking alcohol or through viral infections which and can be transmitted through sexual activity. There are various types of hepatitis, but only hepatitis A, B, and C can be transmitted through unprotected sexual activity.

An increasing number of people globally live in areas badly affected by conflict, natural disasters, and other fragile humanitarian settings. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by these events by a significant margin – but why?

Chlamydia is a common bacterial infection, and anyone who is sexually active can catch it. It is caused by bacteria called chlamydia trachomatis that is found in semen and vaginal fluid of people who have the infection.

Genital herpes is a very common virus that can stay in the body for life, but it usually doesn’t lead to serious health problems. It is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two types, HSV-1 and HSV-2 and both can infect the genital and anal area and also the mouth and nose (cold sores).

Gonorrhoea is a common bacterial infection. Anyone who is sexually active can catch gonorrhoea. Gonorrhoea is caused by bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoea that is found in semen and vaginal fluid of people who have the infection.

Pubic lice are very small, crab-like parasitic insects which live on the pubic hair and survive on human blood. Pubic lice are not necessarily sexually transmitted but are passed on through close bodily contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Syphilis is caused by a bacteria called treponema pallidum and is easily passed from one person to another through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex or sharing sex toys.

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a tiny parasite called trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and infects the vagina and urethra.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (commonly known as HIV) is a virus that damages the body’s immune system so it cannot fight off infections. HIV lives in the blood and some bodily fluids (semen, including pre-cum, and vaginal fluids).