Your questions & answers
Dec 06, 2010
IS there something worrying you? Well, ask our experts. Today, <b>Dr. Sam Ononge</b>, a consultant gynaecologist at Mulago Hospital answers your questions.
IS there something worrying you? Well, ask our experts. Today, Dr. Sam Ononge, a consultant gynaecologist at Mulago Hospital answers your questions.
Is breastfeeding a contraceptive?
Dear Doctor, Is breastfeeding a contraceptive method?
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Breastfeeding is a form of birth control method if you follow the rules. It can be 98% effective at preventing a pregnancy if certain criteria are met; if your baby is younger than six months, you breastfeed exclusively without giving food supplements and your period has not returned.
However, after six months it becomes less effective. After birth, when you breastfeed, prolactin, the hormone that your body makes to stimulate milk production, also acts to prevent the release of eggs from your ovaries. This means there is no ovulation, no menstruation hence no pregnancy but only if you are breastfeeding exclusively.
My private parts are disfigured
Dear Doctor, I was diagnosed with candida and told I had pus cells. I got treatment but the disease has resisted. My private parts are disfigured and I fear that a man may not be able to penetrate. Can surgery be done?
Liz
Dear Liz,
If the candida is not going away, you need to see a doctor and have some tests carried out to find out what is causing the pus. It may not be candida.
A gynaecologist can find out whether you are disfigured and to what extent, before you consider surgery.
I have missed my periods for 8 months
Dear Doctor,
I gave birth in April this year, but since then, I have not experienced my periods. Am I normal or could I be pregnant? I am worried. Please advise.
Princess
Dear Princess
You can only rule out pregnancy by going for a pregnancy test. There are some people who can go as far as nine months without experiencing periods and yet they are not pregnant. The more often your baby breastfeeds, the longer it may take you to get your period again.
Experts believe this is because breastfeeding curbs the hormones that trigger ovulation. But you could start ovulating again at any time after three months of lactation, and you probably will not know when it happens. If you do not want to conceive again, use contraceptives.
I feel pain when I pass urine
Dear Doctor,
I get pain in my private parts when I urinate. The pain presents when there is an erection. What causes this?
James
Dear James,
There is a possibility that you are having an infection along the path where urine passes (urethra), causing a condition known as urethritis.
Alternatively, you may have traumatised your penis either through sex or masturbation. Consult a urologist for proper diagnosis and examination of your urine.
Pregnant: When should I stop sex?
Dear Doctor
When can I stop having sex during pregnancy?
Queen
Dear Queen,
The old teaching was eight months, but nowadays, one can have sex until she goes into labour. There is no limit so long as you are in good health. If you do not experience discomfort and are not having any complications, for instance bleeding, pain and no history of a premature birth, there should be no worry.
My breasts are huge
Dear Doctor,
I am 19 years old. I have huge breasts and they sometimes pain. Please tell me how I can get rid of the pain and the breasts.
Vince
Dear Vince
What you experiencing seems to be normal changes in a girl your age. You should be proud of your breasts because there are people who want big breasts but cannot have them. Supportive bras can help relieve the pain. But if it is unbearable consult a doctor.
How long should I wait to conceive after a miscarriage?
Dear Doctor,
I am 19 years old. I have huge breasts and they sometimes pain. Please tell me how I can get rid of the pain and the breasts.
Vince
Dear Vince
What you experiencing seems to be normal changes in a girl your age. You should be proud of your breasts because there are people who want big breasts but cannot have them. Supportive bras can help relieve the pain. But if it is unbearable consult a doctor.
Can I become pregnant while breastfeeding?
Dear Doctor,
If I breastfeed, can this prevent me from conceiving?
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
You can get pregnant even when breastfeeding. Generally, one is less fertile during the breastfeeding period, but not infertile. Although you may not menstruate for months after giving birth, your body usually releases its first postpartum egg before you get your first period.
If you know you do not want to get pregnant while nursing, begin using birth control as soon as you start having sex again. Consult your doctor about the best method.
Is breastfeeding a contraceptive?
Dear Doctor, Is breastfeeding a contraceptive method?
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Breastfeeding is a form of birth control method if you follow the rules. It can be 98% effective at preventing a pregnancy if certain criteria are met; if your baby is younger than six months, you breastfeed exclusively without giving food supplements and your period has not returned.
However, after six months it becomes less effective. After birth, when you breastfeed, prolactin, the hormone that your body makes to stimulate milk production, also acts to prevent the release of eggs from your ovaries. This means there is no ovulation, no menstruation hence no pregnancy but only if you are breastfeeding exclusively.
My private parts are disfigured
Dear Doctor, I was diagnosed with candida and told I had pus cells. I got treatment but the disease has resisted. My private parts are disfigured and I fear that a man may not be able to penetrate. Can surgery be done?
Liz
Dear Liz,
If the candida is not going away, you need to see a doctor and have some tests carried out to find out what is causing the pus. It may not be candida.
A gynaecologist can find out whether you are disfigured and to what extent, before you consider surgery.
I have missed my periods for 8 months
Dear Doctor,
I gave birth in April this year, but since then, I have not experienced my periods. Am I normal or could I be pregnant? I am worried. Please advise.
Princess
Dear Princess
You can only rule out pregnancy by going for a pregnancy test. There are some people who can go as far as nine months without experiencing periods and yet they are not pregnant. The more often your baby breastfeeds, the longer it may take you to get your period again.
Experts believe this is because breastfeeding curbs the hormones that trigger ovulation. But you could start ovulating again at any time after three months of lactation, and you probably will not know when it happens. If you do not want to conceive again, use contraceptives.
I feel pain when I pass urine
Dear Doctor,
I get pain in my private parts when I urinate. The pain presents when there is an erection. What causes this?
James
Dear James,
There is a possibility that you are having an infection along the path where urine passes (urethra), causing a condition known as urethritis.
Alternatively, you may have traumatised your penis either through sex or masturbation. Consult a urologist for proper diagnosis and examination of your urine.
Pregnant: When should I stop sex?
Dear Doctor
When can I stop having sex during pregnancy?
Queen
Dear Queen,
The old teaching was eight months, but nowadays, one can have sex until she goes into labour. There is no limit so long as you are in good health. If you do not experience discomfort and are not having any complications, for instance bleeding, pain and no history of a premature birth, there should be no worry.
My breasts are huge
Dear Doctor,
I am 19 years old. I have huge breasts and they sometimes pain. Please tell me how I can get rid of the pain and the breasts.
Vince
Dear Vince
What you experiencing seems to be normal changes in a girl your age. You should be proud of your breasts because there are people who want big breasts but cannot have them. Supportive bras can help relieve the pain. But if it is unbearable consult a doctor.
How long should I wait to conceive after a miscarriage?
Dear Doctor,
I am 19 years old. I have huge breasts and they sometimes pain. Please tell me how I can get rid of the pain and the breasts.
Vince
Dear Vince
What you experiencing seems to be normal changes in a girl your age. You should be proud of your breasts because there are people who want big breasts but cannot have them. Supportive bras can help relieve the pain. But if it is unbearable consult a doctor.
Can I become pregnant while breastfeeding?
Dear Doctor,
If I breastfeed, can this prevent me from conceiving?
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
You can get pregnant even when breastfeeding. Generally, one is less fertile during the breastfeeding period, but not infertile. Although you may not menstruate for months after giving birth, your body usually releases its first postpartum egg before you get your first period.
If you know you do not want to get pregnant while nursing, begin using birth control as soon as you start having sex again. Consult your doctor about the best method.