HIGH VAGINAL SWAB

High vaginal swab (HVS) is a medical test every sexually active female should regularly take. Virgins don't need the test. It is done to detect infections in the female vagina. The vagina is a self-cleaning part of the female body but certain things can lead to infections such as unclean underwear, sexually transmitted infections, yeast growth etc.

The HVS test is usually part of many tests a female is expected to take whenever she visits a laboratory. It takes a few days to get the test result because the whole test involves culturing the vaginal sample.
A lady who goes for the test is given a swab stick (pictured below) which looks like a cotton bud, only longer. The swab stick has a very narrow head and is sterile. It is inserted into the vagina and the sample of the female vaginal fluid is taken. The swab stick is removed and replaced in its container and is taken to the lab for culture.

Like I earlier stated, every female who experiences any of the following should do a HVS test.

- itchy vagina
-unusual vaginal secretions
-smelly vaginal fluid
-lower abdominal pain etc.

As a matter of fact, this test should be a routine test as it is very painless.

P.S: If you have any addition to this, kindly send a mail to the admin.

SHL

ECTOPIC PREGNANCY

Ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal form of pregnancy. In a normal pregnancy, upon fertilization, the egg attaches to the uterine lining and goes ahead to grow from there but in an ectopic pregnancy, the embryo is implanted elsewhere other than the uterus. It either is implanted in one of the fallopian tubes, abdomen, cervix, anywhere but the uterus.

Now, the most common form of ectopic pregnancy is the type that is implanted in one of the fallopian tubes. This explains why an ectopic pregnancy is also known as a tubal pregnancy. 

Ectopic pregnancy is very dangerous and can lead to the death of the carrier (mother) if not quickly detected. Therefore, upon detection, emergency treatment should commence.

FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)

According to UNICEF, Female Genital Mutilation (or female genital cutting), comprises all surgical procedures involving partial or total removal of the external genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons.

Photo source: Google images

It is also referred to as female circumcision. Circumcision is believed to have originated from the Holy books (Bible and Koran). It is usually performed on males and according to the Bible, an uncircumcised male is impure. The origin of FGM is something I cannot particularly place my hands on but one thing we must understand is that FGM is harmful and dangerous to females. Certain tribes circumcise their girls just before she is given out in marriage (usually when she clock 18 years) while others perform this rite when the female child is a few weeks to a few months old.