Who needs an episiotomy? Episiotomy is a cut made towards the back of the vaginal opening (the perineum) to enlarge the outlet for delivery. Recent increased use of this procedure has caused much controversy. In the 1950s 20-30 per cent of women an episiotomy at childbirth. In the 1980s the rate (in labour wards) was [...]
History of abortion Abortion has been practised throughout history in almost all communities. Often it was sanctioned or even enforced by the community in times of famine and during treks, or if the pregnancy had been conceived with the ‘wrong’ man or was the result of incest or rape. Means of trying to induce abortion [...]
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are inserted into and retained within the uterine cavity to prevent conception. The IUD was the first reversible contraceptive method that required just one action – its insertion -to provide long-term contraception. History of the IUD The first story (unverified!) concerns nomadic tribes in North Africa thousands of years ago, who are [...]
Anyone writing about sex is confronted by the problem of what words to use. In spite of the wonderful diversity of English, I find it frustratingly difficult to find satisfactory terms for many of the organs, processes, sensations and emotions associated with sex. Sex is a loaded subject in our culture, and this is reflected [...]
Acne is a very common disorder of the oil (sebaceous) glands of the skin. It affects about eight out of ten of us at some time during our lives, mostly between the ages of 15 and 30 years. Acne describes everything from the occasional blemish through the spectrum of whiteheads, blackheads and pimples to its [...]