When you have both COVID-19 vaccines, there is less chance of your health care provider being infected which means that we can be here to deliver your care. It can be difficult to understand when an individual is considered to be fully vaccinated. The information below may help.

An individual is considered fully vaccinated:

• 14 days or more after two doses of a two-dose Health Canada authorized vaccine following minimum dosing intervals (includes mixed vaccine schedules)
• 14 days or more after receipt of one dose of a one-dose Health Canada authorized vaccine
• 14 days or more after receipt of a complete series of a non-Health Canada World Health Organization authorized COVID-19 vaccine

Valid medical contraindications against receiving COVID-19 vaccine include:

• A history of severe allergic reaction after previous COVID-19 vaccine using a similar platform
• An allergy to any component of the specific COVID-19 vaccine or its container
• A history of major venous and/or arterial thrombosis with thrombocytopenia following vaccination with AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (AZ)
• A history of capillary leak syndrome following vaccination with AZ As a precaution, people who experienced myocarditis and/or pericarditis after a first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should wait to get their second dose until more information is available.

More information can be found at the National Advisory Center for Immunization on Contraindication and Precautions on COVID-19 vaccines.

We encourage all Nova Scotian to receive both vaccines if possible.

This can happen due to tiredness a mother experiences from looking after a newborn, with all of the responsibilities, including night feeds which can disrupt her sleep. It can also be caused by a hormone a nursing mother’s body produces, called prolactin. Another important cause of decreased libido is depression Trauma during delivery may have caused damage or if there is any pain in the vaginal area, a decrease in sexual drive can occur. Libido loss can be from medications and medical illnesses. Sometimes, stress can be a cause – example financially, the way a woman sees herself after a delivery (body image) or from relationship concerns. Any form of abuse (sexual, physical or psychological) can affect libido. The use of alcohol, street drugs and cigarette smoking can also decrease a woman’s libido. For more information on any of these issues, contact your health care professional.

Some women dislike having a monthly period. If you are on a form of birth control, when you stop the active hormonal pill, that creates a “withdrawal bleed”, which most people call their “period.” Changes in how the medication is taken or changing the route of the hormone can decrease the number of periods in a year. NOTE: This should only be done with medical consultation. Ask your medical care provider for more information.

That is, when we laugh, sneeze, cough or run for example, some women will have some leaking of urine and will note their underwear will be wet. We call that type of leaking “stress incontinence.” Sometimes a vaginal delivery can damage the muscles of what is known as the “pelvic floor” and sometimes women will notice that it is a problem when they are close to or after menopause. Kegel exercises are good if they are targeting the weakened muscles. Many muscle groups make up the pelvic floor. In order to know which exercises will help, a pelvic floor physiotherapist can provide that information. You wouldn’t do shoulder exercises for a knee injury. Why not make sure you are doing the right exercises to decrease the bladder leakage and be drier? Check with your private insurance plans to find out if you need a referral.

From Jun 12, 2020, if you have not had a Pap smear in the last 39 months, OR if you had an abnormal Pap that required a recheck in 6 month OR you have ever had a Pap smear that has meant you required treatment at a Colposcopy clinic (not that you just visited there), then you are able to have your Pap smear testing done. Call today to book an appointment.

A dental dam that can be a thin latex or polyurethane covering used to protect you from transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) when your mouth is in direct contact with genitals (mouth-genital) or anus (mouth-anal) during sex. It still allows for anal or clitoral stimulation.

They can be bought in stores, are available in different flavors and they can be made at home from condoms for example:

A dam can be made from a condom. Unroll the condom, cut the tip off the condom and from the base to make a hollow tube (a cylinder). Then cut a straight line going up the tube with clean scissors so when it lies flat, it forms a square. Place over the vaginal or anal area and hold in place for maximum benefit with use.

Tips for use:

1. Use a new one each time before having oral sex until the end.
2. It’s ok to use a water based or silicone based lubricant with latex condoms (oil based products can damage the latex).
3. Check the expiration date and make sure that there are no defects before using
4. Avoid stretching a dam as it can break.
5. Spermicides (nonoxynol-9) can be irritating so avoid them (no longer available in Nova Scotia).

If you are on a 28 day cycle, that is you have a birth control method that you start a new pack every 28 days, you should always start your pack when you are supposed to. If your period is late, take a pregnancy test to make sure that you are not pregnant.. Do NOT delay starting your new month of birth control method waiting for your period or you may become pregnant if you are sexually active.