Power word

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I have been sitting on this topic for quite some time. Probably too long, but here we are. How well informed are you about breast cancer? How often do you check your breasts?

You may be thinking “this is not for me because I am still young and healthy.” The most common notion is that breast cancer is for the “old” but that is far from the truth. Young women from 20-34 years are also at risk. Making it a routine to examine your breasts from an early age is therefore very important.

Examination is done once each month after having periods. It is advisable to do it the same time each month. If you have consistency problems, like I do, set a reminder on your phone.

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The best technique is to stand in front of a big mirror undressed. With both arms behind your head or at your sides , look for any changes in your breasts such as discoloration, abnormal swelling or discharge from the nipples. This is just visual inspection with no touching.

Next is feeling your breasts, each at a time. If you are starting with the left breast, the left arm should be raised or placed behind your head. To ensure you cover the whole breast, visually divide your breast into four quarters. Using three middle finger pads of the right hand, press the breast in a clockwise motion starting from the armpit area. The fingers should be flat and together. Move them up and down to ensure you cover the whole breast. Don’t forget to feel beneath the breast.

After you have covered the left breast, move to the right one. Use the same procedure. Ensure that your right arm is raised and feel the breast using your left arm. Move in a consistent pattern to cover the whole breast. If you feel any lumps, do not panic. Make a point of visiting a nearby health facility for further investigation. The lumps may be non-cancerous caused by factors such as hormonal changes.

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These are tough times. Honestly, most of the days have become so tough, I often cry myself to sleep. The world and everything else has become so fast paced. In between trying to keep up with our peers and societal norms has not made this journey any easier.

An important reminder: it is all okay. Experiencing all these feelings is okay. Having mental breakdowns is okay. Feeling lost is okay. We are all human experiencing humane things. Nobody ever received a manual on how to course through life. We can only try!

Taking care of our mental health is hence very important. The same way we take care of our skin and bodies etcetera. Realizing and working towards this has become a full pledged goal in my life because you cannot really make any progress if your mind is not in the right space. I am no expert but here are some of the tips that I have tried to use in my daily routines so that I can keep my mind all clean and healthy.

1. Meditation

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They say that meditation is a good exercise for the mind. I can attest to this because just a 5 minute meditation can make you feel so relaxed. You can do it early in the morning or late at night depending on when you can create time. Try to set a quiet environment with some calming music.

2. Exercise

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Working out consistently is so hard y’all! I am not going to lie. The benefits are however off the hook. You not only get to feel awesome but also look great. It does not have to be in a gym. Just simple exercises at home or a morning run will bring about so much change. I have tried to incorporate tiny bits of work out in my day as I progress to much more. Slowly but sure.

3. Plan your day

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Starting your day with all the activities you have to do in mind is so much easier than just fumbling around. You can plan early in the morning or the night prior. This will save you alot of stress of trying to figure out your day and what to accomplish making everything run smoothly.

4. Read a book

This is a new hobby that I want to fully grow. Reading a good book is a great distraction especially during your free time. Your mind gets to wander and you can also learn new things. I prefer hard copy books to the pdf ones because I get to stay away from my phone for sometime.

5. Limit social media

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This is a hard one for most of us or so I think. I find it very hard to go for sometime without checking my Instagram, Facebook or WhatsApp messages and I do not like it. As much as social media is entertaining and beneficial in some ways, I feel that too much of it does harm. So I have recently tried to monitor and limit the amount of time I spend on the internet. I feel like reating a specific time to be on social media platforms brings so much structure in life and minimizes stress levels.

Hello everyone, so thrilled to be back here. I hope everybody is staying safe during these tough times. Today’s issue got me all excited because it is super applicable to many of us and the topic is……drum rolls……….CONTRACEPTIVES. There are still so many misconceptions in our community regarding contraceptive methods. The one thing I can advise about the myths you have heard is that everyone is different, unique yet wonderful. Just because it did or did not work for a friend does not mean you will also have a similar experience. Luckily most of these methods are not permanent. This gives you room to switch to a more suitable method. I will mention just but the few common and readily available contraceptive methods.

Safe days

This method works for people whose menstrual cycle lasts for more than 26 days. It requires one to understand her cycle very well . The ovulation date determines periods to refrain from sex. An easier way to identify safe days is using cycle beads. I am not aware of where one can access them because there are few to none in our hospitals. However one can diy the beads at home. This method has extensive information but i will pop up with some more so stay tuned.

Condoms

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This is the easiest and most common method. He just needs to slip it on and you’re both good to go. Female condoms are also available and very convenient. They can be worn for up to eight hours before having sex! I mean daaamn! You can wear one when preparing for a date and anticipating for a little something *wink*. Can be purchased in a nearby pharmacy or online at https://kasha.co.ke

Pills

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These are taken daily preferably at a specific time. An easy way is to set a reminder on your phone on when to take the pills. Emergency pills are taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex. Common side effects include nausea and vomiting. They are available in a local nearby pharmacy, clinic, hospital facility or online at https://kasha.co.ke

Implants

These are rods that are placed under the skin of your upper arm after numbing with a local anaesthetic. Lasts for 3 or 5 years. This is a simple procedure that does not take more than 15 minutes. Available in both public and private hospital facilities. The implants can be removed at any time depending on your needs.

IUD

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This copper rod is inserted into the uterus. A speculum is used to locate your cervix ( pathway to the uterus) before insertion. I know this sounds like the worst procedure ever but it is not. Is it a bit uncomfortable? Yes. However it is a non- hormonal method meaning it does not alter any of your hormones and can last upto 10 years. This method can be removed at any time depending on one’s wishes.

I hope this added a little tiny bit of information to what you previously knew. I will appreciate feedback and any questions. Stay tuned for the next post every monday .Ciao!

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Hello everyone! I want to welcome you all to the power word blog where we will be discussing all issues surrounding women and how we can empower each other. I am a nurse who is enthusiastic about writing, fitness, style, fashion and travelling. Working in the medical field has equipped me with knowledge especially about reproductive health issues affecting women which I can share in this platform. My goal is to uplift and motivate by sharing the information that I continue to learn each day. I believe that a society where women support each other will be much better. Looking forward to this experience and will appreciate feedback. Thank you.