St Jude Womens Health Blog (2025)

01/11/2024

It's a brand new month..

16/10/2024

God has done it again.. Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉🎉 to Mr &Mrs O. On the arrival of your twin boys..

We share in your Joy...

30/09/2024

UNDERSTANDING MENSTRUAL CYCLE, WHAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW
Your menstrual cycle is a natural but complex cycle of changes that your body goes through every month.

It is measured from the first day of your period to the day before your next period. The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days, but everyone's cycle is different. For instance, teenagers might have cycles that last 45 days, whereas people in their 20s to 30s might have cycles that last 21 to 38 days.

Phases of the menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle has 4 phases.

1. Your period (menstruation)
When you have a period, your uterus lining sheds and flows out of your va**na. The period contains blood, mucus and some cells from the lining of your uterus. The average length of a period is 3 to 7 days.

2. The follicular phase
The follicular phase starts on the first day of your period and lasts for 13 to 14 days. Changing hormone levels cause the lining of your uterus to thicken and follicles to grow on the surface of the ovaries. Usually only one follicle will mature into an egg.

3. Ovulation
Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from an o***y. This usually happens once a month, about 2 weeks before your next period.

You're most likely to get pregnant if you have unprotected s*x around the time of ovulation.

4. The luteal phase
After ovulation, the egg travels through the fallopian tubes to your uterus. The uterus lining continues to thicken in preparation for pregnancy.

If you fall pregnant, you won't have a period. If you don't get pregnant, you'll have a period and the menstrual cycle will start again.

When you should see your doctor
Talk to your doctor if you are worried about your periods. For example, if:

your period patterns change
your periods are getting heavier (i.e. you need to change your pad more often than every 2 hours)
your periods last more than 8 days
your periods come less than 21 days apart
your periods come more than 2 to 3 months apart
your symptoms are so painful they affect your quality of life
you bleed between periods
you bleed after s*xual in*******se.

Feel free to reach out to us for any enquiries..08101153302

09/09/2024

Preventing Infertility: Steps You Can Take
Steps to reduce your risk of infertility:

Maintain a healthy weight.
Eat a balanced diet.
Exercise regularly.
Avoid:
Smoking
Excessive alcohol intake
Illicit drug use

For women:
Protect yourself from s*xually transmitted infections (STIs)
Early treatment for STIs
Avoid unsafe abortion which increases the risk of damage to the reproductive organs.
Seek early treatment for reproductive problems like irregular periods, pelvic pain etc

For men:
Prevent and treat STIs early
Avoid overheating the testicles from hot tubs, or tight nylon underwear as this can affect s***m production.
Use protective gear during sports or other activities that could result in damage to the testicles.
Men with conditions like diabetes or hypertension should work with their healthcare provider to manage these conditions, as they can affect s***m quality and s*xual function.

Regular check-ups with your doctor can detect potential problems early.

02/09/2024

May this September be one to remember for good... May it be filled with positive outcomes..
Happy New Month.

20/08/2024

Hello everyone, hope your week is going well. So last week, we started with understanding the causes of infertility. We will continue today with "How infertility is diagnosed"

How is Infertility Diagnosed?
If you’ve been trying to conceive for a year or more without success, seek medical advice.
Diagnosis begins with:

A detailed conversation with your doctor about your health and medical history. This discussion will involve you and your husband.

For women:
Hormonal tests to check how your ovaries are working.
Test to check for blockages in your fallopian tubes or adhesions in your womb
Ultrasound to examine your womb(uterus) and other pelvic organs for problems like fibroids or PCOS.

For men:
Semen analysis to check s***m count, shape, and movement.
Other tests may be done if the s***m analysis result is abnormal
These tests help identify the underlying cause and guide the next steps.
You will need to see your Gynaecologist to know the appropriates tests to do.

16/08/2024

Understanding the Causes of Infertility

Infertility can be a tasking and emotional journey
It takes two to tango, so it is a journey for the couple, not the separate individuals.
The cause can be due to the woman, the man or both.
Some of the causes include;

Causes in women:
Irregular ovulation/inability to ovulate. This may be due to hormonal imbalance. It may also be due to increasing age of the woman, typically above 35 years

Blocked fallopian tubes due to infections
Problems in the womb like adhesions and in some cases fibroids(though not always the case)

Conditions like endometriosis

Causes in men:
Low s***m count due to hormonal problems, genetic diseases, substance abuse etc

Poor s***m movement and abnormal shape of the s***m

Absence of s***m due to blockages in the tubes that carry s***m due to infections or previous surgeries

Erectile dysfunction/Ejaculation problems

Sometimes, no clear cause is found(unexplained infertility), but it doesn’t mean all hope is lost.
Understanding these causes is the first step towards finding a solution.

29/07/2024

What is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, is a common hormonal disorder affecting women of childbearing age. In PCOS, the ovaries produce more androgens (male hormones) than usual. This imbalance can lead to various symptoms. If you have PCOS you may have difficulty in ovulating and there may also be increased resistance to the insulin produced in your body. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but it involves a combination of traits in your genes and environmental factors.

2. How do I know if I have PCOS?
Symptoms of PCOS can vary from person to person. If you have PCOS, you may have some of these symptoms or conditions.:
Irregular periods: This is one of the most common signs. You may have fewer periods than usual, no periods, or periods that come too often.
Excess hair growth: You might notice more hair on your face, chin, or other parts of your body
Acne: PCOS can cause breakouts, especially on the face, chest, and upper back.
Weight gain: You may have problems managing your weight.
Thinning hair: The hair on your scalp may thin out.
Darkening of the skin: Dark patches can form in body creases like those on the neck, groin, or under the breasts.
Difficulty getting pregnant: PCOS is a common cause of infertility.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it's essential to visit your gynaecologist who will perform a physical exam, blood tests to check hormone levels, and an ultrasound to look at your ovaries.

3. How is PCOS managed?
While there is no cure for PCOS, the symptoms can be managed in several ways:
Lifestyle changes: Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight can help manage symptoms. Weight loss alone can improve the function of your ovaries.
Medications: Hormonal pills can help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce androgen levels, and clear acne. Other medications, can improve insulin resistance and regulate periods. Fertility treatments may be necessary if you are trying to get pregnant.
Hair removal treatment: Excess hair growth can be managed with medications, hair removal creams and other mechanical methods.
Acne treatments: Your doctor may recommend some creams or drugs to manage acne.

4. Are there any long-term complications of PCOS?
PCOS can lead to several long-term health issues, these include:
Type 2 diabetes: If you have PCOS , you are at higher risk of developing diabetes due to insulin resistance.
High blood pressure and cholesterol: These increase the risk of heart disease.
Sleep apnea: Your breathing may stop and start during sleep, if you have PCOS.
Endometrial cancer: Irregular periods can lead to thickening of the lining of your womb, which increases the risk of cancer.
Mental health issues: You may have challenges with anxiety and depression if you have PCOS.
Implementing lifestyle changes and regular follow-up help to delay, prevent or diagnose these conditions early enough.

Take-home message
It's important to work with your gynaecologist to monitor and manage these potential complications. Regular check-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and appropriate treatments can help you live a healthy life with PCOS.

01/07/2024

Happy New Month. Welcome to July.

27/05/2024

Happy Children's Day from St Jude Women's Clinic.
Fulfilling the dream of having a child/Children in families going through subfertility is our satisfaction. We are here to support you through your journey.

Today, we celebrate the joy and wonder that children bring into our lives. We are dedicated to ensuring that every child grows up healthy and strong. Let's work together to create a brighter, healthier future for our little ones.

Wishing all children a day filled with love, laughter, and happiness!
Stjude Womensclinic

22/05/2024

Why it is important to keep track of your fertility health as a woman.

1) Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle: Monitoring your menstrual cycle can help you identify irregularities or potential issues that may affect fertility.

2) Identifying Fertile Days: Tracking ovulation helps you pinpoint your most fertile days, increasing your chances of conception if you're trying to get pregnant.

3) Changes in menstrual patterns, cervical mucus, and basal body temperature can indicate hormonal imbalances that may impact fertility or overall health, taking more of this changes can prompt you to visit your healthcare provider.

4) Optimizing Timing for Conception: By knowing when you ovulate, you can time in*******se to coincide with your fertile window, maximizing the chances of conception.

5) Seeking Early Intervention: If you notice any abnormalities in your fertility tracking, such as irregular periods or unusual symptoms, early intervention can help address underlying issues and improve fertility outcomes.

6) Managing Reproductive Health: Regular monitoring of fertility health allows for proactive management of reproductive health, including discussions with healthcare providers about family planning, contraception, or fertility treatments if needed.

Overall, keeping track of fertility health empowers women to take control of their reproductive well-being, make informed decisions about family planning, and seek appropriate medical care when necessary.

26/01/2024

Day 5 of the hands on training..Real samples and personalized teachings. At St Jude's Fertility Institute kindly go to www.stjudefertilityinstitute.com to register.

25/01/2024

Day 4 of the intensive hands on training for Embryologist/Andrologist at St Jude's Fertility Institute..

23/01/2024

If you have a degree in human anatomy, microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, biology, or a similar scientific field, you too can become a skilled clinical embryologist by working with our esteemed and highly skilled Clinical Embryologist.

SJFI is now accepting applications for Embryology & Andrology Course, February/March 2024. Go to www.stjudefertilityinstitute.com to get your application right away!

12/01/2024

We are starting our year with all round good news...Our princess arrived safely just like the royal that she is...Join us and celebrate...

St Jude Womens Health Blog