Healthy Sexy & Wise January 2004
Volume 2, Issue 1, 2004
Editors Note
Welcome to the first edition of Healthy Sexy & Wise for 2004.
If you would like future issues of Healthy Sexy & Wise emailed to you click Contact Us.
In this issue:
- Roe St Centre ~ FPWA’s specialist counselling service
- Emergency contraception now available over the counter
- Finding the right contraceptive pill
- Pap smears help prevent cancer
- National Condom Day ~ February 14
- Relationship challenges in later life
- FPWA information sheets
- New FPWA brochure for young people
- 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.
If you have any suggestions, ideas or comments about the newsletter, you can email me – be sure to let me know if there are any topics you would like to see covered in the future. The next edition of Healthy Sexy & Wise will be out in April.
Rebecca Smith
Editor
Roe St Centre – FPWA’s specialist counselling service
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FPWA’s specialist counselling service, the Roe St Centre for human relationships, offers counselling and therapy in all areas of relationships, and specialises in sexual health issues for individuals and couples.
Roe St Centre counsellors are experienced in helping married couples, people in defacto relationships, gay and lesbian couples, and parents and children.
While sessions are available on unplanned pregnancy, infertility and termination of pregnancy, sessions on all types of relationship issues are very popular, in particular those pertaining to sexuality. Other issues covered include sexual problems, sexual abuse and miscarriage.
Fees are income-based, which allows the service to be accessed by a wide range of people, and sessions on unplanned pregnancy and post termination counselling are subsidised by the Health Department of WA.
Both male and female professional counsellors are available, and telephone counselling can be arranged for those living in rural or outer metropolitan areas, or who are housebound. Appointments are available Monday to Saturday.
Roe St Centre is also a professional training supplier, and seminars and workshops can be arranged.
The Centre is located in Northbridge and can be contacted on 9228 3693
Emergency contraception now available over the counter
As of January 1 emergency contraception (EC) is now available over the counter at pharmacies throughout Australia.
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The decision means that more women will have access to EC and the incidence of unplanned pregnancies will be reduced. EC is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, and its effectiveness decreases as time passes.
If taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex EC prevents 95% of expected pregnancies. Its effectiveness drops to around 85% when taken between 24-48 hours after sex, and when taken 48-72 hours afterwards, the effectiveness falls to 58%. There is some effectiveness for up to 5 days after unprotected sex, though this is again reduced.
The move to allow over the counter sales means that EC can be dispensed very quickly and therefore increases the chances of it being effective. It also means that if there is an emergency situation and a doctor is not available, women have an alternative means of supply.
Women wanting EC over the counter will be required to provide the pharmacist with details about their menstrual cycle and method of contraception so the risk of them being already pregnant can be assessed. While they won’t have to leave their name, the pharmacist may seek confirmation that the woman understands the information that she has been given.
All information given by a woman to a pharmacist will be kept completely confidential. Young women especially need to know that their privacy will be protected and pharmacists cannot, for instance, give private information to family members.
The use of EC as a ‘routine’ method of contraception is not recommended as it doesn’t provide any protection against sexually transmissible infections, nor is it as effective at preventing pregnancy as other methods of contraception. EC is therefore not an appropriate method for women to use on a regular basis. Women who don’t have a regular method of contraception should see a doctor to discuss their on-going contraceptive needs.
The decision to allow EC to be made available over the counter is a big step forward in reducing the number of unplanned pregnancies in Australia. As Australia has the second highest rate of abortion in the developed world, the benefit of having EC available without a prescription can’t be over estimated.
Emergency contraception retails for around $20.
Click here to view FPWA's revised information sheet on EC.
Finding the right contraceptive pill
With so many different contraceptive pills on the market, finding the right one can be difficult for some women.
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Progestogen only pills contain one hormone - progestogen. These pills are particularly suitable for women who cannot tolerate or should not take oestrogen for medical reasons, such as if they suffer from migraines, are breastfeeding, or are at risk of thrombosis (blood clots).
The most commonly prescribed pills in Australia are combined pills. These pills contain the hormones oestrogen and progestogen which work together to prevent the release of an egg. Combined pills differ in their formulations in that some have a different type of progestogen, while others have more or less oestrogen.
Side effects can vary among women - some women experience nausea, sore breasts and fluid retention while taking an oestrogen-dominant pill, while side effects such as acne, greasy hair and weight gain are often linked to progestogen.
It is important to remember that some side effects that emerge when starting a pill don’t always last – they may disappear or decrease after a woman’s body adjusts to the hormones in the pill. If problems persist however, women should see a doctor, as a change of pill may be all that is required.
Some side effects of the pill are very positive, such as a big reduction in period pain and heaviness. There are also some long-term benefits, such as a lower rate of ovarian cancer in women who use the pill.
There is evidence that being on the pill can protect a woman’s fertility - women who have been on the pill for a few years may find it easier to fall pregnant when they stop than someone who has not been taking it.
New ‘third generation’ pills contain different types of progestogens which may help improve skin and counteract bloating. These new types of pills may be suitable for women who have experienced bloating, skin problems or weight gain on other pills.
Released 18 months ago, Yasmin has been associated with a reduction in fluid retention and an overall small weight loss rather than the gain frequently seen with other pills. It also has some effect on reducing acne and greasy skin but, like the other pills with these benefits, such as Diane and Marvelon, is quite expensive compared to some of the older pills.
Women shouldn’t expect Yasmin to be a substitute for a sensible diet and exercise, as the usual weight loss is around one kilogram, but this may be an option for those who have experienced problems on other pills. Loette is another low-dose pill that can be prescribed to treat acne after topical preparations have failed to improve the skin.
The normal hormonal changes that occur throughout the menstrual cycle can trigger or worsen acne in some women.
Taking an oral contraceptive pill like Loette 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.
Factors such as health, medical history and age can rule out some pills, so it’s important that women discuss the options available with their doctor. Women shouldn’t be discouraged if the first pill they try doesn’t suit them – there are many different varieties available, and there’s a good chance that the second or third one they try will.
Pap smears help prevent cancer
Regular Pap smears help prevent cervical cancer by detecting early warning signs and allowing women to receive treatment before the cancer develops. Figures show that each year around 1,000 Australian women develop cervical cancer and over 300 die – many of these cases could be prevented through early detection.
A lot of women don’t have regular Pap smears for a variety of reasons – they forget, are too embarrassed or simply think they don’t need to. As one of the main causes of cervical cancer is the Human Papilloma Virus, which can be passed on through sexual activity, all women who have had sex at some stage in their life are at risk. Smoking and having intercourse for the first time at an early age also increases the risk of cancer.
Every woman needs to have regular Pap smears regardless of her age or number of sexual partners. The risk of cervical cancer increases with age and around half of the new cases of cancer diagnosed each year are in women over the age of 50.
Even if a woman is not currently sexually active, has only ever had one partner or has been through menopause, she is still at risk of cervical cancer.
Many women think they don’t need to have a Pap smear as they don’t have any symptoms - what they don't realise is that early changes to the cervix don’t usually have any symptoms. This is why regular Pap smears are required to help detect changes before they turn into cancer.
Many women who develop cervical cancer haven’t had regular Pap smears, or haven’t ever had a Pap smear before. Women should start having Pap smears two years after first having sex, or when they turn 18 - whichever comes first.
A woman should have a Pap smear every two years, though a doctor may recommend more frequent smears if a previous one showed significant cell changes.
To organise a Pap smear phone FPWA on 9227 6177.
National Condom Day – February 14
Romance and passion are usually on the agenda for Valentine’s Day…and what do these things often lead to? Sex. So what better time to remind people to always use a condom to help prevent getting or passing on a sexually transmissible infection (STI).
STIs such as genital warts, chlamydia and herpes aren’t usually thought of in a romantic sense, but on a day when love is foremost in everyone’s mind, people need to think about the consequences of having unprotected sex.
On National Condom Day, FPWA is reminding everyone to take responsibility for their sexual health by always using condoms and having regular sexual heath checks.
The statewide campaign aims to not only raise awareness about practicing safe sex, but to make people feel that condoms are a normal thing to talk about and to help them become comfortable bringing up the subject with their partner. The more comfortable people feel talking about condoms, the more likely they are to use them.
If your organisation would like to be involved in National Condom Day, FPWA will provide you with condoms, posters and other promotional material to give away.
Please phone Rebecca Smith, Public Relations Officer, on 9227 6177 for more information, or email
Relationship challenges in later life
By Jane Irvine, Counselling Consultant
Starting a new relationship in later life can present many different challenges, especially when it comes to having sex.
While it’s natural to feel nervous starting a new relationship at any age, a younger person doesn’t usually have to talk about what does and doesn’t work in terms of sexual functioning. Older people can struggle with body image issues related to ageing - things have begun to hang, flop, dry-out, wrinkle and go grey, which can cause self consciousness and inhibit responsiveness. Physical strength and stamina also change with age and impact on sexual capacity.
It’s important to remember that these changes are normal and the same for all of us. With that in mind, share your worries but don’t dwell on the imperfections. After all sex in later life is about relaxing and enjoying yourself – many post-menopausal women feel they have a new lease on life at this time as they don’t have to worry about the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy.
Don’t forget to always practise safe sex with a new partner as age doesn’t protect people from sexually transmissible infections, but after testing by a doctor, not having to worry about contraception any longer can give you a lot more freedom.
The way someone had sex with a former partner will not be the same as with their new partner, so people need to be willing not only tell their partner what feels right, but also to experiment. Older people are also likely to have been through a greater number of "heartbreaks" than younger people, which may impact on sexual intimacy and trust.
The best way to reduce anxiety when dealing with these situations is to be honest and open and communicate any concerns right from the beginning. This can be confronting because of the lack of familiarity, and most people find it awkward to talk candidly with someone they haven’t known for a long time, but try hard to express how you are feeling.
Finding the time or an opportunity to have sex can also pose problems for new relationships in later life, especially if people are trying to juggle work and family lives.
If you have children living at home, your privacy and time for sexual expression may be limited. It’s usually a challenge for separated or divorced couples to introduce a new partner to their children, let alone have them ‘sleep over’. Patience and time is necessary to make these adjustments and to find the right balance.
Couples who have been together for many years face a different dilemma in later life. While they probably find the familiarity of their old sexual partner to be a comfort, they may also need to be more creative in the bedroom to keep their sex life alive and well. Romance and passion comes easily in new relationships, but in time can fade or disappear altogether, with sex becoming routine and monotonous.
It is therefore important to make an effort to give attention and priority to ‘wooing’ each other, and to remember that we are never too old for candle lit dinners, adventures on a tropical island, or luxurious lingerie.
The Roe St Centre for human relationships offers specialist counselling about relationship issues at any age.
Phone 9228 3693 to make an appointment.
FPWA information sheets
FPWA produces a selection of information sheets on methods of contraception and other sexual health issues. Click on the links to to read FPWA's newly revised information sheets on Emergency Contraception and Sterilisation.
Alternatively phone FPWA on 9227 6177 to order a sample pack.
New FPWA brochure for young people
Click on the link to view FPWA's new brochure for young people, The Ins and Outs of Contraception.
Copies can be ordered by phoning 9227 6177.
Book reviews
The Gynaecological cancer guide : sex, sanity and survival / Heffernan, Margaret; Quinn, Michael. -- South Yarra, VIC: Michelle Anderson, 2003.
The Gynaecological cancer guide has been written for women with gynaecological cancer, their carers, family, colleagues and medical support teams. Co-authored by a survivor of gynaecological cancer and clinical specialist in this field, the book provides information on the range of gynaecological cancers, the treatment options available, and the critical issues that survivors commonly experience. Throughout the book there are excerpts from interviews with women who have had gynaecological cancer, and their frank and honest comments give further insight into the topic.
Focus on fathering -- Camberwell, VIC: Acer, 2003.
Focus on Fathering discusses the fascinating, moving, and often contradictory role in which Australian men find themselves as fathers. It raises questions such as: what is a good father these days; what do fathers provide that is so influential to a child's development; is fathering importantly different to mothering; is it a role that a single mother or a substitute parent can take; what do fathers and children say; and what do mothers think? The book incorporates research findings, discussion from experts in the field, the views of children, and some thoughts from men on what it means to be a father.
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PO Box 141
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Phone: 9227 6177
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Page last updated Mon, 12 Jun 2006 14:33