Bethany Women and Family Hospital started in March, 2013 with a vision of becoming a benchmark for Women’s health and their families through a holistic approach in Africa. It is a Tertiary specialized hospital focused on managing and promoting Women’s health and that of their Families. It is accredited by the Uganda Medical and Dental practitioners Council. It has three Branches; Bethany Women’s and Family hospital, Luzira, Bethany Women and Family hospital, Entebbe and Bethany Children’s Clinic.
Message from Editor
International Women’s Day is a time to focus on issues that relate to women’s health, women empowerment, and as the theme of 2022 reads: time to break the bias!
Gender bias exists everywhere – including in healthcare. The time is now for women’s issues to be at the forefront, and women’s health care is a critical part of the dialogue. All women need access to quality healthcare.
In honor of International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate all the women who make the world a better place – no matter how big or small their impact. At Bethany Hospital, we place a premium on the contributions of our female staffers, whose roles have greatly influenced excellent service delivery at our hospitals.
Bethany at 9
Bethany Women’s and Family Hospital was started in March of 2013, this year we celebrate 9 years of existence.
Dr. Gonzaga and Mrs. Damalie Andabati saw a gap in the medical field for family medicare that needed to be filled. Their approach to specializing in fertility, maternity welfare, and pediatrics is what has differentiated Bethany Women’s and Family hospital from other general hospitals in Uganda.
Bethany Women’s and family Hospital has state-of-the-art equipment to facilitate the everyday advancements in the medical field.
At Bethany Women’s and Family Hospital, we have specialists who cater to the different needs of our patients and with our personal unique touch, we encourage patients and caretakers to be more interactive and encourage with the patients during patient management.
As the new year begins, we aim at maintaining our exceptional services.
Myths About the Female Anatomy
If we traveled back in time by 100 years or so, there’s one thing about being a woman we’d almost certainly experience: Women’s bodies were a mystery. That was mostly because medicine was dominated by men, who had very little interest in learning about women’s sexual health.
One of the core tenets of medicine is informed consent. Doctors provide information about risks and benefits and then patients armed with that information, make choices. This system only works when the information is accurate and unbiased. Finding this kind of data can be challenging and sometimes we are stalled in the age of misinformation. Misinformation and circulated myths about women’s health can be incredibly harmful to women.
We have listed 10 common myths about the female anatomy, and the facts about them below.
1. Breastfeeding Is a Reliable Form of Birth Control
Although breastfeeding suppresses ovulation, you can still become pregnant again if you have unprotected sex. Breastfeeding your child releases a cascade of hormones from the pituitary gland that actively reduces the chance of ovulation. However, your body still may release eggs from time to time, especially if you supplement feedings with formula, rice cereal, or baby food.
2. New Forms of Birth Control Carry Higher Risks
As with all medications, birth control goes through multiple rounds of testing before it is released to the general public. Therefore, new forms of birth control are just as safe as other methods that have been around for decades. All birth control options carry a reasonable amount of risk that you should discuss with your ob-gyn.
3. Skipping Your Period with Birth Control Is Harmful
Birth control pills typically include one week of placebo pills that allow you to experience a normal menstrual cycle. However, it is possible to skip a period by beginning a new series of pills instead of taking the placebos. While this practice will not increase your risk of side effects or complications, you should still talk to your doctor before skipping your period.
4. Vaginal Discharge Is Always a Bad Sign
Clear or milky white vaginal discharge is completely normal and may change in amount and consistency throughout your cycle. Your vagina constantly cleans itself out by expelling old cells and mucus. If the discharge varies from its normal consistency or color, however, you may need a checkup to rule out an infection.
5. Mammograms Are the Only Procedure You Need for Breast Health
A mammogram only provides one data point about the health of your breast tissue. Up to 20% of breast cancers are missed by mammograms, so doctors often use ultrasounds and other imaging equipment to diagnose lumps and detect breast cancer in its early stages.
6. A Second Pregnancy Is Just Like the First
Every pregnancy follows its own path from conception to childbirth. Your doctor may consider past pregnancy experiences when monitoring your progress, but changes in fertility, the onset of symptoms, and risks for complications can all occur after a woman’s first child.
7. Women’s Bladders Are Smaller Than Men’s
Despite overall differences in the sizes of men’s and women’s bodies, women tend to have the same size bladder as men. The difference in capacity and frequency of urination actually relates to the position of the bladder and adjacent organs, not the bladder’s size.
8. The Vagina Is Permanently Stretched During Childbirth
The vaginal canal stretches out during childbirth and gradually returns to its normal size during recovery. If women receive stitches for tearing during childbirth, the vaginal opening may even be smaller than its previous size after the recovery period.
9. Routine Checkups Are Unnecessary After Childbearing Years
Breast exams, pap smears, and other routine examinations should continue well after your childbearing years. These health screenings enable the early detection of infections, cancer, and other women’s health conditions as you age.
10. Menopause Symptoms Do Not Require Treatment
If menopause symptoms cause discomfort that interrupts your daily activities, you should seek treatment. Your doctor can address hot flashes, urinary incontinence, and vaginal dryness with approved treatments, such as hormone therapy.
As part of activities to mark International Women’s Day, Bethany Women’s Hospital celebrated its female members of staff and patients.
