Healthy Sexy & Wise - August 2006
Volume 4, Issue 3, 2006
Editors Note
Welcome to the third edition of Healthy Sexy & Wise for 2006. I hope you like our new look website!
If you would like future issues of Healthy Sexy & Wise emailed to you, Contact Us.
In this issue:
FPWA events – Sexpo
Oral contraceptive pill providing health benefits for women
'It takes 2 to tango' campaign
Conferences
FPWA journals
Literature review
Book reviews
Please feel free to circulate and distribute this newsletter to anyone you know that may benefit from the information. They can go on the mailing list by emailing me their details.
The next edition of Healthy Sexy & Wise will be out in October.
Rebecca Smith
Editor
FPWA events – Sexpo
In conjunction with the WA AIDS Council and Hepatitis Council, FPWA held a stall at this year’s Sexpo event in May.
Over the four-day expo at the Perth Convention Centre, FPWA distributed free condoms and safe sex information to over 550 people, encouraging all sexually active people to practise safe sex.
While most Sexpo exhibitors had a lighted-hearted approach to the event, FPWA's message was more serious, wanting people to think about the consequences of having unprotected sex and reminding them that safe sex doesn’t have to be less pleasurable – it’s all about being creative when it comes to introducing condoms, dams and lubricant into the bedroom.
Oral contraceptive pill providing health benefits for women
In addition to providing protection against pregnancy, taking the oral contraceptive pill also has added health benefits for many women.
The Pill can help with problems such as PMS, irregular or painful periods and period pain, and reduces the risk of developing ovarian and endometrial cancer, ovarian cysts and benign breast lumps. The risk of anaemia is also decreased when taking the Pill, as menstrual blood loss is reduced.
The Pill can also be of benefit for women with endometriosis – taking the Pill continuously can help reduce the severe period pain associated with endometriosis, and if endometriosis is present, the Pill can make it less active.
Even acne can be helped by taking the Pill. The normal hormonal changes that occur throughout the menstrual cycle can trigger or worsen acne in some women. Taking the Pill means a more constant hormonal dose throughout the month, so many women will find that their acne symptoms settle down while they are using it.
The Pill also tends to reduce the levels of specific hormones called androgens in the blood stream, and it is these androgen hormones that are particularly involved in the development of acne.
For more information about the contraceptive pill contact the Sexual Health Helpline on 9227 6178.
‘It takes 2 to tango’ campaign
‘It takes 2 to tango’ is Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia’s latest campaign designed to encourage sexually active women to consider using the oral contraceptive pill and a condom together as one of the most effective methods to reduce the risk of both STIs and pregnancy.
Drop into FPWA in Northbridge or Quarry Health Centre in Fremantle to pick up a brochure and factsheet.
For more information go to http://www.2totango.com.au
Conferences
‘From babies to blokes – the making of man’ is being hosted by MAN (Men’s Advisory Network) on October 29-November 1st in Perth. For more information go to:
http://www.promaco.com.au/conference/2006/man/
Resilience: Build it. Youth Affairs Council of WA 2006 Conference is being held on 2-3 November 2006 at The Hotel Grand Chancellor, Perth. For more information go to:
http://www.yacwa.org.au/section/conference2006.html
FPWA journals
A list of the health journals held at the FPWA Library can now be found on our website, along with links to online journals.
Literature review
The literature on abortion is currently being reviewed. If you are aged between 18 and 44 and have considered a pregnancy termination between 2002 and 2006, you may be able to help.
The review is being conducted by Edith Cowan University, the University of WA and the WA Centre for Research for Women. For more information please contact the Project Officer on 9273 8108
Book reviews
By Andrew Kelly and Rebecca Smith
Diary of a Pregnant Dad
By Rob Wilcher
What they say: “Diary of a Pregnant Dad is a candid and humorous journey of an ordinary couple moving through the roller coaster months of pregnancy. If you have ever wondered what your partner's first ultrasound will be like, how to deal with her morning sickness, what to expect from birth classes, how pregnancy affects your partner's moods and libido and how your relationship with the mother-to-be may change, then Rob Wilcher's perspective will help you.”
What we say: Finally a pregnancy book that shows those nine months from a different point of view. Most (if not all) pregnancy books are aimed solely at the mother to be, and rightfully so - sadly though many men feel left out of the pregnancy experience. Written with humour, intelligence and all-round excitement, DPD helps men come to terms with a pregnancy and deal with all the accompanying issues. Wilcher’s use of metaphors to explain pregnancy to soon-to-be dads is bordering on genius: talking to the OB/GYN in cricket terms, and relating foetus size to household objects such as a power drill help bring pregnancy into the male world. Overall a must-have book for the father-to-be; clever, concise and not afraid to show men it’s OK to be emotional about birth. Women, be careful though - he might end up knowing more about how you feel than you do!
Teen to Teen: Plain talk from teens about sex, self-esteem and everything in between
By Melanie A. Gold, Robert A. Hatcher, Mara Horwitz, Ashley Greene and Abe Taleb.
This informative book looks at a broad number of important issues that are particularly relevant for teenagers. Topics such as self esteem, creating a life plan, bullying, puberty, sexuality and contraceptive choices are a few of those covered. This book also includes additional resources that are available for teens such as youth-friendly websites and other books.
Interactive activities are presented after each chapter in the form of reflective questions and other teen’s stories related to the topics covered in the book. This book is a useful and relevant read that is sure to interest any teenager, as well as any parent wanting an insight into their child’s life!
These books are available for loan from the FPWA Library.
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Page last updated Tue, 08 Aug 2006 14:54