Why it's Important for Ladies to go for Annual Gynae Check-Ups

Hey guys!

This is something I thought I should talk about because it hits so close to home. In fact, I have first-hand experience. If you are a sexually active woman then listen up!

I had a lump the size of a pea on my vulva right by the vaginal opening and it was painful even to walk. I actually found it best not to even wear underwear because even that rubbing against it when I moved hurt. I did what a lot of us do and went onto Google and horrified myself because when you Google things the search results you get back are usually exaggerations and are wrong. I had tested for HIV/AIDS and I was negative, so I figured everything was fine and it would go away. Just to be safe I made an appointment to see my "lady doctor".

I went for my annual gynaecological visit and told my gynae before the actual examination about my not so little problem.  He was surprised when he saw what I was talking about but told me not to worry. The medical examination itself was very painful when he did it. It hurt even more than when I inserted a tampon with that lump down there.  He did a pap smear and the results came back abnormal and I got a phone call a few days later to go and see him to discuss my test results.

Upon my next visit (about May) he informed me of my test results and I started imagining all sorts of awful things because my mind has the tendency to think of the worst when I get bad news. Anyways he ended up cutting sample tissue from my uterus to test and it turned out I had precancerous cells in my uterus which were the result of HPV (Human papillomavirus)!!! This can result in Uterine Cancer. As you can imagine I was shocked and all I heard was you have and STI and its messed up your uterus (not actually what the doctor said).  I was concerned about my fertility because I'm in my mid-twenties and I have no kids yet so this was a scary thing to hear. I don't know if I want kids but I would like to have an option, you know? I'm was used to getting bad news so I wasn't particularly upset and I was just like "so what's the next step?"

I was advised to speak to my family because I was going to require a minor surgery to remove the abnormal cells. I say minor surgery because they did not have to cut me open, they did all the cutting inside. If I remember correctly the procedure is called a LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure) procedure. I went for the operation at the beginning of June if I remember correctly. It was my first ever serious operation because the only other times I have been in hospital were when I was born (I was in an incubator for like a week, but that's a story for another day) and when I had my wisdom teeth removed. 

The last thing I remember is being wheeled into the surgery. I was brave up until I started to go under then I started praying profusely. I'm not even that religious but I have heard many have gone in to hospitals for minor surgery and never come out; which was a scary thought. The healing after surgery wasn't bad and I went to work the next day. It was like having a period and surprisingly the only time I felt any pain was when I had to pee. The pain could be described as more of a burning sensation.

I did my operation at Life Hospital in Beacon Bay, East London and I must say the service was on par. The staff was great and friendly and the facilities are top notch. I have heard a lot of people talk about how hospital food sucks and I would have to disagree.

The reason why I am saying it is important to go for your annual check-ups is because it's better to find these things sooner rather than later. I did not have to go for major surgery I am just lucky the abnormal cells were found before they caused any major damage. The signs that something was off down there were there but I stupidly ignored them. I had had sex a few months prior to my check up and I remember feeling pain that I couldn't understand during the act. That pain was actually a symptom. Other symptoms include pain during urination as well as pelvic pains.

There is a vaccine available to prevent HPV which girls can get from the ages of 12 to about 26. I didn't even know there was a vaccine until I had actually been diagnosed and by then it was obviously too late. I would advise young women to go and get vaccinated as soon as they can. You can contract HPV and not show symptoms for years and as they say prevention is better than cure.

According to an article I read in Life Healthcare magazine's Spring 2018 issue; there are about 6000 women in South Africa who are diagnosed with cervical cancer per year!!! The article further stated that approximately 60% of sexually active adults have HPV so the HPV virus is more common than I thought. Many people have HPV but they just don't know it and won't until their immune systems weaken. For more information please go to www.lifehealthcare.co.za. The earlier you detect any type of cancer, the better your chances are of beating it! Don't be embarrassed when you start to experience anything out of the ordinary in your nether regions; speak to a doctor and make sure that everything is as it should be.

So ladies please go and see a gynaecologist at least once a year just to see that everything is alright with your sexual and reproductive health. STI's and STD's are nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn't mean you're a slut if you get them. In fact you can contract it and not experience any symptoms for years. Please take care of yourselves.

My 1st Menstrual Cup - My Own Cup

Menstrual cups might just be the greatest gift to women yet! I'm all about saving money and cutting costs wherever I can so when my sister first told me about the period cup; I was sold almost immediately! I am always eager to try new things; especially if they are cost cutting. I almost always have cash flow problems which make my life such admin and my period lasts for 5 DAYS. My sister brought me one when she came home from school and I won't lie, I couldn't wait for my period to come. I wanted to use it NOW!

At first I wondered, "How the hell am I going to fit this thing into my vagina?" Well it was actually pretty simple. You just fold it and insert it into your vagina with the opening of the cup facing the opening of your vagina and it opens up inside. The weirdest part was at first it felt like a vacuum in my vagina. (It actually made a small suction sound when I pulled it out - not a loud one). I thought I was going to feel something because I'm used to using tampons and when a tampon is full you can feel it. It actually feels pretty amazing because it doesn't feel like there is anything up there at all!

I hate tampons especially near the end of your period when it’s dry because it can feel quite rough and painful to pull a dry tampon out of your vagina, it's extremely unpleasant. I find pads even worse, I don't care how slim you make them; to me it's like wearing a nappy. I'll pass!

I started using my first period cup on the 20th of July. It was my most comfortable period in years!

Menstrual cups come in a variety of sizes to suit your flow and you can get one ranging from about R199 upwards depending on where you buy it. Menstrual cups are available in online stores such as TakeAlot.com. They come in different brands and sizes (according to your menstrual flow). I have yet to see one in stores where I live.

I'm using one called My Own Cup - menstrual cup which my sister brought from Cape Town.

Menstrual cups are safe enough to be used by virgins as they will not break the hymen; they don’t go that far up the vagina. If it wasn’t obvious to you; yes you must remove the cup if you’re having sex while on your period.

Here is a list of pros (some of which I have personally discovered):

• No leakage; that is of course if you put it in properly

• No odour or possibility of odour since it stays in your body (why I hated pads)

• It's comfortable and flexible

• You can keep the cup in for longer than a tampon (up to 12 hours)

• Smooth and easy insertion - no chaffing

• Easy to clean

• One cup last for up to 5 years but you can replace it after 3 if you wish

• No risk of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) which you can get from tampon use

• Go on with your life as normal, just like when using a tampon except far more comfortable

• Cost effective - HUGE MONEY SAVER

And as for cons; I have yet to find any. Cleaning it is hassle free as well; just boil the cup for a few minutes in a water-filled pot on the stove to sterilize it before usage and you're ready to go. Sterilization is of utmost importance as it kills all germs and keeps the cup clean and bacteria free. The last thing you want is a vaginal infection. Don't forget to sterilize it before you put it away at the end of your period too! (I wash mine then boil it in a pot on the stove) ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS!

Below is a link to TakeAlot's website where you can get your own cup. Check it out:

https://www.takealot.com/health-beauty/all?qsearch=menstrual+cup&via=suggestions

The cleaning and care instructions are pretty straight forward, I boil mine on the stove but if you’re unsure of what to do I’d suggest you check out some YouTube videos of how other girls sterilize theirs. The leaflet that comes in the container with the cup is pretty simple though so you shouldn’t have any question as to what to do.

Many women in my circle (especially the older women) that I've tried to convince to switch to menstrual cups are still very apprehensive and for various reasons such as the cup getting lost or stuck; which I can assure you will not happen. There isn't really anywhere for the cup to "get lost" in there. It just sits there and does it's thing. I don't know if it's all in my head but I seem to experience less perineum pain lately as well; probably unrelated to the cup but a huge relief for me. Also people are very reluctant to change when they are stuck in their old ways; which I completely understand but sometimes one needs to take a chance, especially if it will do you and the planet more good.

So go ahead ladies, get yourselves a menstrual cup and save yourselves some cash while doing the environment a solid. I am glad I will never see another tampon or experience the dreaded dry tampon ever again!

For more information regarding the My Own Cup menstrual cups please visit www.myowncup.co.za

What it was like Getting Inked for the 1st time

Tattoos used to be a thing for inmates but that is now a thing of the past. People from all walks of life are getting inked. After years of contemplation and being indecisive about what to get (these things are for life you know, don't wanna do something I'll regret) I finally did it a few years ago. I actually have 2 tattoos now.

When thinking about getting a tattoo it's important to do some research first so that you know what you're getting yourself into and what to expect. Ask around about good tattoo artists too and try to go to an established one, the last thing you want is to have a mediocre drawing on your body for the rest of your life.

I decided to get a tattoo after an experience that changed me forever. I was about 22 when I got my first tattoo. It was something I had been thinking about doing for a while but kept putting off because the thought of having something on my body permanently was scary to me and I wanted to be sure not to do something I would regret 5 years down the line so it had to be meaningful  (and small). So after having a bit of a life-changing event it felt like it was the right time (I had to have an abortion when I was at university and it almost destroyed me, I wrote about a post about it). After forgiving myself and finally dealing with it; I got a tattoo to mark a new chapter and put the past behind. I chose the phrase "let it go" because it just spoke to me & it's relevant. 

I made my way to Alien Station without even booking an appointment. See, I'm a spur of the moment kind of person, when I get an idea in my head and I have the means, I do it NOW. I mean, there's no time like the present right? Lucky for me they were having a quiet day and were able to ink me right then and there. Mind you I was taking a huge risk here because I have sensitive skin and I was kind of worried about having a horrific allergic reaction to the ink but I went ahead and did it anyways (I have woken up with swollen lips from my choice of lip balm - rolls eyes)!

The staff at Alien Station was very friendly and welcoming. It was a good experience from the moment I walked through the door. They showed me a book filled with different tattoo designs but I wasn't really interested because I had already made up my mind what I was getting before I walked in there- a short phrase. What I had not decided on was wear I was going to put it. I did a little research on the internet a while back on the least painful body parts to tattoo and let me tell you if you want minimal pain, do not get inked on a bone - which is exactly what I did. I chose the rib cage: ouch!

I knew what I wanted and picked a body part I could conceal in case I go for an interview sometime in the future, I heard companies are not tattoo fans and I wasn't getting a tattoo for the world to see. It was just a little something I was doing for myself as part of a healing process I guess - to mark the end of a chapter in my life. I was really not a fan of needles back then so I was expecting the pain to be excruciating! It felt more uncomfortable than anything. In fact; it literally felt like having a needle dragged across the surface of my skin. I think my pain tolerance is above average because I have been through some rough ordeals in life so this was on a scale of 1 to 10 - a 6.

The tattoo artist was friendly and explained clearly how I should look after my new tattoo so that it looked good and healed properly. I was advised to use Bepanthen to moisturize it during the healing phase. Bepanthen is a nappy rash cream which they sold there and you can also get it from stores.  It took a few weeks to heal 100% and the area was quite sensitive to the touch. I was very happy with the service I got and 5 years later it still looks great.

So that was my first tattoo experience. I went back to exactly the same tattoo parlor a few years later for another one and the owners recognized me. Who knows... maybe I'll be getting inked again sometime in the near future.

If there's one important thing I can tell you is that it's vital to look after your tattoo and do what the artist tells you to do; otherwise you might end up with some smudgy looking, ugly thing.

20 Things I Learnt In my Early 20's

Your twenties can be a very stressful and confusing time in your life. For me they have been even worse than my teens. At least back then I had the option of crying to mommy to fix my problems. I've just hit my late 20's (we all know how fast time can fly when you're not paying attention).Finding myself definitely hasn’t been easy; but it was definitely worth it. I feel more whole than I've ever felt before. I let a few people go along the way (some by choice and other's due to ... life) but you know what, it was probably for the best.

It gets tough sometimes because you are expected to be this grown up person but at the same time you are still getting your shit together so it’s a little confusing. Anyways here are 20 things I have learnt in my 20's:

1.     Put yourself first, your twenties are meant to be your selfish years; discover exactly who you are (or want to be).

2.     Some guys will tell you they love you just to get what they want & it's nothing personal. 

3.     People leave sometimes - it's not your fault or anything you did. They leave because they want to so. Don't blame yourself.

4.     You can't make people see or own up to their wrong doings and it's not your job to.

5.     What people think of me is none of my business.

6.     People don't always tell you how they feel about you but they definitely show you; believe them.

7.     Happiness is a choice I get to make every day, even though some days are harder than others. Problems and sadness are not permanent. Always try to look on the bright side.

8.     Dating is not easy and you never have to feel pressured into it. It's okay to be single, there's nothing wrong with that.

9.     Everyone in life is on a personal journey and will take their time and that includes you, don't be too hard on yourself. Baby steps are better than no progress at all.

10. I do not to have my shit together right now as long as I'm trying. 

11. No one will ever make a broken person happy, work on you first. 

12. How people treat me is not an indication of my worth.

13. It’s alright that I do not to have a lot of friends; the right ones are what matters. People who are meant to be in your life will gravitate towards you naturally. The universe does kind of give you what you need.

14. Never force yourself to do anything you're not comfortable with to please anyone.

15. Whatever your gut instinct is saying, do that.

16. My parents know a shit load more about life than I do, listen to them every now and then but sometimes parents are wrong and that's because they are also human and make mistake.

17. How to forgive myself.

18. There’s no shame in crying as long as it’s not over the same thing time and time again. Take the time to feel the pain and heal, then move on.

19. The past is in the past and that's where it should stay; use it only to reflect. Even the bad choices were only meant to show or teach you something.

20. Age really is just a number.

But most of all I learnt that it's up to me to be happy and to learn how to love and accept myself for the beautiful, imperfect being I am. It’s okay to make mistakes in life as long as you are learning from them and progressing. We are all on different paths and journeys so do not compare your progress to your peers.

How I Make the Most of the Little Cash I Have In this Economy

Hey guys!

With the VAT sitting at 15% and the ever-rising cost of living, we as South Africans are definitely feeling the heat. Many people have resorted to finding a second source of income or a "side hustle" if that's what you'd like to call it just to make ends meet.

I’ve recently had a sit-down and actually looked at my finances because I always think I can't afford anything. I went to work every day and got paid yet I did not have much to show for it and my life was well... boring. I was always looking at my peers and wondering how the heck they can afford to be doing so much (never mind the ones with actual careers) and going out every weekend when I'm always broke and bored at home.

I convinced myself that the only way I would enjoy life is if I got another job. I have been job hunting for about 2 years with no luck so can you imagine how depressing that thought is... I had to do something different to change my money situation so I made a few changes.

Money is a touchy subject, I know! I earn about R4500 per month (It's not much) but I am grateful because it's still better than nothing. I live with my mom and I drive a small car. My only expenses are all the things that concern me personally which is basically toiletries, school and petrol. I do not even have a kid yet I was always broke and I just didn't get it. What was I doing with my money? Where the heck was it all going? After sitting down and looking at my bank statements I discovered a lot of my money was being wasted on clothes and things that I really didn't need. So I paid off my clothing account, reduced my shopping and discovered that I have plenty of cash to live the kind of life that I want. I can do more with my money than just pay bills and wait for the next payday.

I actually sat down and made a list of all of my monthly expenses and sorted them into fixed (the 1's that don't change monthly) and variable expenses. Writing it all down so you can physically see it helps to show you exactly what you are doing and where you might be going wrong. To my surprise I discovered that I was wasting money on ridiculous and useless things like snacks which left me with nothing to show; except maybe a fat belly (LOL). My salary hasn't changed but I found that by being conscious about my spending I can afford all the things I want and need.

I was excited to find that I can actually afford to get myself the cellphone that I want. My previous phone was stolen and I had been waiting for months for my mom to get me a new one (which made me feel pathetic; I am a grown ass woman and still wanting mommy to get me a cellphone).  I decided to do some research and guess what; I got me a new cellphone. My cellphone costs about R450 per month and I managed to get a gym membership for R479 per month. I saw that nothing had changed I just became more conscious about my spending. I was surprised at just how much money I had been wasting before because I honestly cannot tell you what I had been doing with this R479 before I joined the gym.

If you're like me and need a little help to get you started on managing your finances, there are apps you can download for free to help you keep track of your spending or alternatively you can make yourself a spreadsheet and capture all your expenses so you can actually see where your money goes. It will help a lot! When you can see your wastage it pushes you to be more responsible with your spending and make you think twice before you buy yet another pair of sneakers that you don't need. I used to be the type to buy at least 1 new clothing item every month end to spoil myself but now I save the money instead; if I can or contribute a larger amount to paying off my tuition fees. Whatever is left in my bank account when my salary comes in I also pay towards tuition.

Do not forget to include your entertainment budget when calculating your expenses that way you know you have an X amount of money available to have fun and spoil yourself and still be on track with the rest of your expenses. For example; I give myself R500 every month to have fun be it movies, drinks or whatever and once I've reached my limit; that's it. This helps so that I don't misallocate my funds and end up with a shortage of petrol money mid-month just because I wanted to see a movie. PRIORITIZE!

Remember that when it comes to things like clothing, do not buy them on credit unless it's an emergency and you need a particular outfit for a special occasion. If you can't afford it rather just leave it instead of racking up unnecessary debt. Another thing I do is to fill up my tank before the petrol prices rise if I can. There are petrol stations on my route to work so I pass by there and fill up without having to take a detour. I believe this saves me a few extra rands that I can use for other things. When filling up I try to target petrol stations that are partnered with other shops that I use regularly such as Clicks so that I can earn points for my fuel purchases. These points get converted to money that I can spend the next time I'm buying my toiletries from Clicks.

When you really feel like you're strapped for cash, find some of the old stuff that you don't need or use anymore and sell it. There are apps and websites such as Gumtree and OLX where you can price your items yourself and find buyers. Another tip I can give you is that if you have a little extra money and you see items such as laundry detergent, toilet paper, deodorant or anything you know you need on the regular on special, buy it! These things that don't expire can be stocked up, just be careful if you have a housekeeper that is left alone because stocked items have the tendency to disappear without you noticing.

Ladies! Ladies! Ladies! We all know how expensive sanitary products can be and they are a part of life that we cannot ignore. I mean a box of applicator tampons can set you back about 60 bucks a month depending on the brand you prefer but that's approximately R720 a year just on tampons alone and we need them whether we can afford them or not. I have switched to menstrual cups (read more about them here), they might be a bit pricey initially but believe me, they will save you tons of cash in the long run. You will only need one and it lasts for a while.

Facial skin care products are also a huge expense for me so I try to milk them to the very last drop. Instead of throwing them away when I can no longer squeeze the contents out, I cut the containers in half with a knife or scissors and use every last bit, I only throw them away and buy new ones when there is absolutely nothing left. Every. Drop. Counts. I do the same with all of my creams and lotions.

When it comes to washing your car, rather do it yourself if you have time instead of taking it to the car wash but use a bucket. You can kill 2 birds with one stone this way; clean your car while burning some calories. Try to pick rainy days for car washing, lather the car with soap then go park it in the rain to rinse off. This way you save water as well.

Yes, you might be making "peanuts" like me but you can also find a way to make your money work for you just like I did and start enjoying where you are in life right now; even if you don't exactly have financial freedom just yet. You just need to be aware of where your money is going. Most importantly you need to find joy in life and not just pay bills and wait for your next payday. Go ahead and pamper yourself a little!

There's this thing I read about called "the 50/30/20 Rule of Finances"; basically 50 percent of your total income should be spent on essentials and by essentials I mean your most important needs such as food, transport etc. 30 percent should go to what they call discretionary wants which are lifestyle related; these are things like clothing and eating out. The final 20 percent should be allocated to your financial goals; I'm talking debt repayments, retirement savings etc.

The best thing we can do is to minimize our expenditure and try to save as much money as we can.