News
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17th April 2019 | Posted by Florence Wildblood
Raising Babies Vegan
According to reports, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are planning to raise their baby a vegan. Though the 37-year-old has never confirmed she’s a vegan herself, she reportedly follows a plant-based diet on weekdays. She is by no means the only person experimenting with a plant-based diet. There are now thought to be 540,000 vegans in Britain, up from 150,000 a decade ago, and many parents are choosing to raise their babies and children in the same way.
London Gynaecology’s nutritional therapist, Laura Southern, put together some tips for parents who are keen to raise their babies and children on a vegan diet for Yahoo!. Read them here.
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11th April 2019 | Posted by Florence Wildblood
What is TSS?
In today’s busy life, it is quite possible to forget a tampon. Consultant Gynaecologist Narendra Pisal describes toxic shock syndrome, a rare but sometimes serious result of leaving tampons in for too long.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a name given to a serious condition of septicaemia (blood poisoning) caused by infection from a retained tampon. ‘Toxic shock syndrome’ classically was caused by retained tampons but it can also be caused by other retained foreign bodies, such as forgotten pessaries or swabs.
TSS occurs when bacteria release toxins, which cause a severe reaction in the body. The association with tampons is when they are retained in the vagina for long enough to allow high levels of bacteria to grow.
Symptoms tend to be a vaginal discharge which can become smelly and purulent, discomfort, lower abdominal pain and occasionally symptoms of severe infection such as raised temperature and feeling unwell.
The best ways to avoid TSS is to remember to take a tampon out and not put a new one unless the old one is out! Some women don’t like the retriever thread to be visible and the tampon can move upwards and be forgotten, but all tampons should be changed regularly (at least every 8 hours) to reduce the possibility of TSS.
On the whole however TSS is not very common, so don’t get too paranoid. The number of cases of TSS related to menstruation has decreased significantly over time from 9 in 100,000 women in 1980 to 1 in 100,000 women since 1986. This is explained by the withdrawal of highly absorbent tampons, which means women need to change them more frequently.
If you think you may be suffering from TSS please see your doctor or a gynaecologist as soon as possible. An examination will be necessary along with vaginal swabs to look for infection and remove the tampon. A course of antibiotics may also be prescribed if necessary.
A full recovery is usually made but it depends on how early the condition is detected. So if you start getting symptoms of discharge and smell which are not typical for you, you should see a doctor straightaway.
Panty liners, sanitary towels or moon cups would be safer than tampons in this respect, but tampons are often more comfortable and practical and chances of forgetting one are not very high. In summary, keep on using tampons, but do remember to take them out.
If you are concerned about TSS or have any questions, feel free to call us on 0207 10 11 700.
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10th April 2019 | Posted by Florence Wildblood
Everything you need to know about Epidurals
One in four women have an epidural during labour. They help to reduce the pain during child birth, but not everyone likes the idea. However, the latest research indicates that the risks associated with epidurals – such as nerve injury and infection – are far lower than previously thought. Consultant Gynaecologist Meg Wilson gives the lowdown on everything to do with on epidurals in this article for NetDoctor.
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5th April 2019 | Posted by Florence Wildblood
Walk To Work Day
Today is Walk to Work Day. If you can, why not take this opportunity to put on some trainers and try your commute on foot. It might take a bit longer but chances are you’ll feel better for it. Walking more regularly is great for our mental and physical health, and of course much better for the environment. We asked our fitness ambassador Ellie Baker some quick questions about the benefits of walking and how we should be doing it.
Is walking a good form of exercise?
Walking is a good form of exercise, it is extremely accessible and people of all ages can do it.
What are the benefits for our physical and emotional health?
The physical benefits of walking are that it improves: fitness, cardiac health, builds stamina, reduces risk of diabetes, cancer, dementia, weight loss, vitamin D, improves circulation, posture, helps you sleep better and builds strong bones.
The mental benefits of walking are it alleviates depression, improves mood, releases feel good endorphins, reduces stress, reduces anxiety.
How many steps do most people walk a day?
The average person takes between 3,000-4,000 steps per day.
How many steps should we be walking a day?
Ideally people should walk around 10,000 steps per day.
What is a good speed to walk at?
A brisk walking pace is 3.0 miles per hour / 5 kilometres per hour which is the 12 minutes per 1 kilometre.
Is duration or speed more important in terms of fitness benefits; what else should we consider, e.g. heart rate?
When it comes to fitness benefits when walking you will get more the faster you walk, however if you’re unable to walk very fast it would be better to walk for a longer duration of time. 30-60 minutes is good to aim for. I wouldn’t consider heart rate when it comes to walking but I would go on how I feel.
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4th April 2019 | Posted by Florence Wildblood
A Beauty Routine for your Vulva?
‘The Perfect V’ is a feminine hygiene collection sold on popular websites such as Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty. The range – sold only in full on Beauty Bay – includes a cleanser, intensive lotion, beauty sheets, an exfoliator, beauty mist, serum and luminizer for your vulva.
Consultant Gynaecologist Pradnya Pisal explains why medical advice would be against using these products because of a number of unwanted side effects. Read the full article for Grazia here.