Atlong last there's a new contraceptive option in New Zealand - Jadelle is an implant which is inserted just under the skin of the forearm (it's not too bad - really) and there are two fantastic things about Jadelle. One is that it's as close to 100% effective in preventing pregnancy as you can go. The second is that once it's there, it can stay there for up to 5 years.
Like all contraceptives, there's a downside too - a lot of women have irregular bleeding with Jadelle - not usually heavy periods, but spotting is very common. There can be other side effects too, but the bleeding is the biggest of these.
If you think that Jadelle could be a good option, make an appointment on 03 546 8155, to see a nurse who will tell you all about it and you can decide if you want to go ahead with Jadelle, or there may be another option you prefer. Best thing is - knowing that there is another choice out there - at last!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
New Contraceptive
Finally, the cocntraceptive, Implanon is avaiable in NZ! It's an hormonal contraceptive - progesterone - very like what is in the mini pill and depo provera. The difference is that Implanon is a short, tiny straw - hollow and flexible, which is inserted just under the skin of a woman's forearm. Once it's there, it can stay in place for up to 3 years. Usually periods stop within a few months, and it is really, really effective at preventing pregnancy.
At the moment, it is not subsidised, so it is quite expensive,but if women are having trouble with other forms of contraceptives, this may well be a good option.
Come in and talk to one of our doctors or nurses and talk about Implanon - it's not for everyone, but it's a very good option for many.
At the moment, it is not subsidised, so it is quite expensive,but if women are having trouble with other forms of contraceptives, this may well be a good option.
Come in and talk to one of our doctors or nurses and talk about Implanon - it's not for everyone, but it's a very good option for many.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Mother's Day
You know how your mum is one of the most important people in your life?
You know how mums put their kids' needs ahead of their own?
Well - how about giving your mum something to show her just how important her health is, to you?
You could get her one of our Mother's Day vouchers - it'll help her pay attention to her own health needs - because sometimes mums forget just how really, really important their health is to you and the whole family.
Sandy and Chris at reception desk have the vouchers ready for you right now
You know how mums put their kids' needs ahead of their own?
Well - how about giving your mum something to show her just how important her health is, to you?
You could get her one of our Mother's Day vouchers - it'll help her pay attention to her own health needs - because sometimes mums forget just how really, really important their health is to you and the whole family.
Sandy and Chris at reception desk have the vouchers ready for you right now
Monday, April 19, 2010
HPV Vaccine Works
There's so much information out there - it's hard to keep up with it.
When I first heard about the HPV vaccine, I was ecstatic! For the first time, we had a vaccine that could prevent cancer: cancer of the cervix. In 21 years of Independent Nursing, we've had only seen one case of cervical cancer, but hundreds of cases of abnormal cells which is caused by the same HPV viruses. Because our screening programmes are so good, very few of the woman with these abnormal cells will ever develop cervical cancer. But they will have to have a smear every year, maybe a colposcopy and treatment for those unusual cells. None of these are very pleasant procedures.
There is now strong evidence that the HPV vaccine significantly reduces the rate of abnormal smears. (http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/717010?src+cmenews&uac+99604BV)This is fantastic news! Perhaps one day, the number of women who have to have an annual smear will drop to almost nothing - it would be a dream!
If you are a young woman, or have a daughter, think hard about having the HPV vaccine - it really does work!
When I first heard about the HPV vaccine, I was ecstatic! For the first time, we had a vaccine that could prevent cancer: cancer of the cervix. In 21 years of Independent Nursing, we've had only seen one case of cervical cancer, but hundreds of cases of abnormal cells which is caused by the same HPV viruses. Because our screening programmes are so good, very few of the woman with these abnormal cells will ever develop cervical cancer. But they will have to have a smear every year, maybe a colposcopy and treatment for those unusual cells. None of these are very pleasant procedures.
There is now strong evidence that the HPV vaccine significantly reduces the rate of abnormal smears. (http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/717010?src+cmenews&uac+99604BV)This is fantastic news! Perhaps one day, the number of women who have to have an annual smear will drop to almost nothing - it would be a dream!
If you are a young woman, or have a daughter, think hard about having the HPV vaccine - it really does work!
Monday, February 15, 2010
How are those changes for 2010 going?
I'm no great fan of New Year resolutions which last 5 minutes, but I am a great fan of having a theme that we work on for as long as a year. And not too many - if we have too much to focus on, we can loose the plot and really not make any changes.
Several people have recommended a book to me: "The Winner's Bible", by New Zealander Dr Kerry Spackman. I wondered about this - is this just another self-help book? The reason I bought my own copy was because I couldn't find anyone to loan me their copy! People I know who have it say that they use it every day!
Well - I've bought a copy. And I've started my own Winner's Bible. There is no doubt that this a powerful tool for making changes in life. One of the important concepts is understanding the connection between our emotions and permanent changes! Part of the process is changing our thoughts and thinking patterns, part is setting goals, part is deliberately changing habits. But a major part is to really what those changes would feel like. Use your emotions to get the best chance of success in making real, permanent changes for a better life.
Several people have recommended a book to me: "The Winner's Bible", by New Zealander Dr Kerry Spackman. I wondered about this - is this just another self-help book? The reason I bought my own copy was because I couldn't find anyone to loan me their copy! People I know who have it say that they use it every day!
Well - I've bought a copy. And I've started my own Winner's Bible. There is no doubt that this a powerful tool for making changes in life. One of the important concepts is understanding the connection between our emotions and permanent changes! Part of the process is changing our thoughts and thinking patterns, part is setting goals, part is deliberately changing habits. But a major part is to really what those changes would feel like. Use your emotions to get the best chance of success in making real, permanent changes for a better life.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Twenty Ten
It's 2010 - a new decade and time to reflect on any changes for the new decade.
I'm not big on New Year resolutions - those quick, off-the-cuff ideas which float into the brain on New Year's Eve, and float away the next day. But I am really interested in continuing to make changes to my life which are part of that journey of hopefully, getting wiser as well as older. To do this, I always have one theme that I'm working on, often for a whole year.
I thought a lot about my theme for 2010. And what I've decided to work on is this: focus. I have some goals for the year - goals about getting the CD ROMs I've been part of creating, with Health Click, to the UK. They are both amazing resources - one is called "Sex Smart" and is just about everything an adolescent would need to know to make safe sexual decisions. the other is called "Me" - it's for people with intellectual disabilities and is all about relationships, safety in relationships, how to shower, how to wipe your bottom, what happens when you go to the doctor, and much more. They are both exciting, interesting and really needed by young people. Follow the link to the Health Click website and you'll see what I mean.
My problem is not laziness, I have never been described as lazy. But I do get over-enthusiastic about things, and I am easily distracted, so I forget to do the really important things, like keep up to date with blogging! And making sure that I work on getting the CD ROMs to other places in the world.
Focus! For me, 2010 will be about keeping focussed on my goals. If we really focus on our goals - who knows what you might achieve? Think about a theme for the year - write it down, and keep reminding yourself of where you want to be. It is amazing just how close you get when you really focus on what you want to achieve.
I'm not big on New Year resolutions - those quick, off-the-cuff ideas which float into the brain on New Year's Eve, and float away the next day. But I am really interested in continuing to make changes to my life which are part of that journey of hopefully, getting wiser as well as older. To do this, I always have one theme that I'm working on, often for a whole year.
I thought a lot about my theme for 2010. And what I've decided to work on is this: focus. I have some goals for the year - goals about getting the CD ROMs I've been part of creating, with Health Click, to the UK. They are both amazing resources - one is called "Sex Smart" and is just about everything an adolescent would need to know to make safe sexual decisions. the other is called "Me" - it's for people with intellectual disabilities and is all about relationships, safety in relationships, how to shower, how to wipe your bottom, what happens when you go to the doctor, and much more. They are both exciting, interesting and really needed by young people. Follow the link to the Health Click website and you'll see what I mean.
My problem is not laziness, I have never been described as lazy. But I do get over-enthusiastic about things, and I am easily distracted, so I forget to do the really important things, like keep up to date with blogging! And making sure that I work on getting the CD ROMs to other places in the world.
Focus! For me, 2010 will be about keeping focussed on my goals. If we really focus on our goals - who knows what you might achieve? Think about a theme for the year - write it down, and keep reminding yourself of where you want to be. It is amazing just how close you get when you really focus on what you want to achieve.
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