Hi Anonymous, It's saddening to hear what you’re going through. Please visit your nearest clinic or hospital as soon as you can, so you can get diagnosed by a nurse or doctor – this is the only way you can find out what's really wrong. Get well soon!

Hi anonymous. Yes, you can be assisted. When you're in Joburg, take your medication and any other records with your medical condition to the nearest clinic or hospital, and doctors or nurses will be able to give you the right medication. You can also report good or bad service you received at that clinic here:https://bwisehealth.com/clinic/search/

Hi Lethabo, yes it is possible, and OK, to have sex with a girl while she is menstruating – as long as she is OK with it. Some girls don’t feel comfortable to have sex during their period, and that’s fine too. It is important to know that a girl can still get pregnant if she has unprotected sex, even during her period.

There is only one way to protect yourself from getting pregnant or getting an STI, that's by practicing safe sex. And it can't just be safe sex some of the time, or even most of the time; it really has to be safe sex every time! Having unprotected sex (especially during menstruation) increases your chances of getting an STI, so always use a condom!

Hi Nadiseng, your questions are sent to a leading expert and you will then get an answer within 48 hours!

Hi Titus, Well done for looking after your health! It is important to pick up problems early. You need to go to your local clinic and explain your worries. They will ask you questions about where you work, your health, breathing, and chest, and if you have experienced any problems. They will either let you know if everything is fine (then you can stop worrying) or refer you for further check-ups if necessary. Continue to look after for your health! You can find and rate your local clinic here: https://bwisehealth.com/clinic/search/ 

Hi, Katleho. Being kicked or hit in the ribs and stomach can be very painful. If you see blood in your stool or urine, or if you are vomiting blood or in a lot of pain you should go to your nearest clinic for a check-up. If it is just uncomfortable and bruised but you are otherwise fine, try putting an ice pack or hot-water bottle over the painful area for 10-15 minutes. You can take anti-inflammatory pills like (brufen/nurofen) and drink a lot of water. It is not OK for someone to hurt, hit or kick you. You can get help at your local clinic if you feel unsafe. 

Hi there. Thank you for sending your question.  There could be lots of reasons they found that the womb was bigger than expected during pregnancy. It could be because the pregnancy is further along than they thought, or there could even be twins! It is best to go for the sonar like the clinic says, to make sure  the nurses and doctors know how big the baby is, make sure the baby is healthy, and check for twins. Ask the nurse at the clinic to sign you up for Mom Connect to get weekly updates on what to expect during pregnancy.

Hi there. Thank you for sending your question.  There could be lots of reasons they found that the womb was bigger than expected during pregnancy. It could be because the pregnancy is further along than they thought, or there could even be twins! It is best to go for the sonar like the clinic says, to make sure  the nurses and doctors know how big the baby is, make sure the baby is healthy, and check for twins. Ask the nurse at the clinic to sign you up for Mom Connect to get weekly updates on what to expect during pregnancy.

Hi Slender, Thanks for reaching out. Starting your periods is a totally natural part of growing up and becoming a woman, and it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Maybe start a conversation with your parents about what you’ve been learning at school about growing up and how bodies change with puberty. You can then tell them that you and some of your friends have started your periods now, and if you want to, you can ask for advice on how to cope with this each month. Remember it is totally normal – both your parents know about periods – but some adults also find it hard to talk about it with their children. If you find talking face-to-face too difficult, you could leave a letter for them instead. Good luck!

Injectable contraceptives have doses of a hormone called progesterone, and this hormone stops menstruation. After you stop taking the contraceptive, it can still take a few months for it to totally leave the body. Some women wait up to 9 months before they start getting menstrual periods again. But remember, you become fertile BEFORE you have your period, so you can still fall pregnant at any time. If you think you may be pregnant, visit your local clinic for a pregnancy test.

Hi Anonymous, some bleeding or spotting is possible during early pregnancy, but there is a chance that it could mean something more serious, like a miscarriage. It is best to visit your nearest clinic as soon as possible. You can also ask the nurses to register you on Momconnect where you will get information regarding your pregnancy.

Yes abortion is free at government hospitals. For a list of available clinics in your area check out the clinic finder https://bwisehealth.com/clinic/search/.

Hi Eric, thanks for the question. A stomach ache can be caused by a lot of different things. It could be a result of an illness or problem with any of the organs in your upper body or pelvis area. Sometimes a stomach ache could be pain from somewhere else in the body which has ‘travelled’ to your stomach (this is called referred pain), or it could even be due to a pulled stomach muscle. It is best you visit your nearest clinic so that you can be examined by a health care worker – they will find the cause and be able to give you treatment.  

Hi, Terry. You can find all the information you need on HPV by clicking here.  

Hi, Yes it is possible to have a period the day after having sex, because when your period comes is based on the menstrual cycle. Having sex the day before will not change that cycle. One of the reasons the period may not come is if you are pregnant, so if you are not pregnant your period should still come as normal. Read more on your period and how it works here.

Hi, It is very important that you brush your teeth and floss after each meal, until the infection improves. You can rinse your mouth with salt water every few hours. If you have a fever, your gums are bleeding, or you have pain, it is best to go to your nearest health care facility and get a dentist to do a check-up.

Hi, There are many reasons that can cause loss of or reduced sensation in your nipples during sex. These can happen before or during sex, and include: hormonal/cyclical changes in your body, if you are breastfeeding, or having lots of nipple stimulation during sex. The good news is that this problem usually goes away on its own. If it continues for over 6 weeks,  go to the clinic or doctor so they can do a check-up.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is an illness where a woman’s hormones are out of balance, and she gets cysts (tiny sack-like things that are filled with fluid, like a tiny balloon) in her ovaries. It can affect menstruation, mood and how easily someone falls pregnant. It might also make you not want sex.

Hi King. Well, that’s a very difficult question. It really does depend on why you want to stop having sex. If you are feeling forced, like you are having too much or putting yourself at high risk then it’s best to talk to a doctor, nurse or counsellor at your clinic. The decision to have sex is a very personal choice. It’s your right to say NO. But remember to wear a condom every time you have sex to protect you from unwanted pregnancy, STIs and HIV!

Hi, The time it takes to go back to a normal period after stopping contraceptive depends on the type of contraceptive she used as well as her body's responses. This is because her body was exposed to hormones from outside of it, in the form of a contraceptive, and needs time to get back to normal. For the pill it may take about 3 months for her period to get back to normal again, and for the injection this may take longer. But this also depends on the person, the time it takes will be different for everyone.

Hi Anonymous, if the nurse or doctor at that clinic was not able to provide a diagnosis for you, Vaginismus can usually be diagnosed by a doctor, so it would be a good idea for you to see a doctor at another clinic close to you. The doctor will be able to provide you with advice after they have examined you fully, and they can also give you treatment if you need it.

Hi Anonymous, Thank you for sending your question to B-Wise. Body odour is not common in children before puberty, so we are really glad you reached out to B-Wise for help. Your daughter's body oudor could be caused by one of two things. It may be an illness,  or it may be what we call precautious puberty. This is early puberty, before ages 8 and 9 in girls and boys. Look for other signs of puberty like breasts and pubic or armpit hair. 

If it is an illness, it would be caused by a bacterial infection that antibiotics can treat. Visiting your clinic is the best thing to do in this case.

If it is early puberty, you still need to visit your nearest clinic, to confirm that it is early puberty and get a check-up.For right now, it is best you keep your daughters clothes and bedding clean. You can also use a very mild deodorant, but check first that she doesn’t have sensitive skin. Either way, it is important that you take her to your nearest clinic for a proper check-up. If you aren't sure where to find your nearest clinic, have a look at the newly launched Clinic Finder on B-Wise here: https://bwisehealth.com/clinic/search. You can also rate the clinic after your visit, and we will share your feedback with the Department of Health, but we won't share any of your details with them.

Hi Anonymous, there could be many reasons why developed cuts on your private parts. It is important that you visit your nearest clinic to be seen and checked by a health care worker and have an HIV test done. If you and your boyfriend would like to test together, many clinics offer couples HIV counselling and testing. Sometimes people are scared to test, but if you are HIV positive, finding it out early will make sure that you are able to receive treatment early and will also make sure you remain healthy. If you test HIV negative, you will be able to take steps to protect yourself to ensure that you remain HIV negative. Condoms are very important and need to be used every time you have sex in order to offer the most protection against STIs and HIV.

Hi, Ramtee7. Non-communicable diseases are diseases that can’t be passed from person to person. There are many factors that can put a person at risk of getting one of these diseases. Smoking is one of these factors because it can make a person more likely to get diseases such heart disease, strokes, cancers, diabetes and joint diseases. 

Hi, Mumzat, “Well done on breastfeeding baby for 6 months – breast milk is the best for young babies so that they grow up healthy and strong.

It is important to remember that babies still need milk after introducing solid foods – this could either be breast milk or formula milk, as you’ve said. He might need more milk, if he seems very thirsty. This could be a place to start. If you are still concerned, the best thing to do would be to talk to the Sister when you take baby for the next well baby visit – they can give you advice on your baby, and check him to make sure he is otherwise well.”

Hi Ano, thank you so much for your question. There are many reasons why you may experience pain during and after having sexual intercourse. It is possible that you are experiencing this pain because you only recently started having sex. When you have sex for the first time, there is a layer called the hymen that gets broken, so this might be what caused you pain. But there are other reasons that could explain why you're having pain after sex. One reason could be that you do not have enough lubrication during sex. This causes roughness and scratches on the vaginal walls.  Another possible reason could be if you were feeling tense or uncomfortable during sex and therefore tensing the vaginal muscles creating roughness and pain. Vaginismus is also a possible cause, but a doctor would have to diagnose you, after examining you.

In PE, you can visit can visit any public hospital and they will examine you. Once you have been seen by the doctor they will make a diagnosis and refer you to a gynae if necessary. You can also do this if you use private health providers: Start with a GP and they will refer you if it is necessary.

Hi Mumzat, it’s good to know you were able to find out about your HIV status early in your pregnancy and we’re glad to hear that your baby is HIV negative. To make sure that your baby stays negative, it’s important that you take your ARVs every day and on time. It’s definitely recommended that you breastfeed only, without giving formula or any food given to your child for the first six months. Regarding calculating the months, it should be until 7 September 2017. If you still have any questions, it is best you talk to a nurse next time you take your baby to the clinic. You can also sign up for MomConnect on *134*550*2 #

Hi, Naledi, It is not a good idea to use anything that causes diarrhoea, as the body does not need to be cleaned by vomiting or diarrhoea. Doing this can be dangerous. It causes a water imbalance and imbalance of other important things in your body called electrolytes. This can also be dangerous if you are taking ARVs, because it can make your viral load high and CD4 count low. This which leads to a low immune system, which can make you sick. If you are feeling that you don't have enough energy, try taking a multivitamin or vitamin B. It is also a good idea to visit your clinic or doctor for a check-up.H

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Petogen is a type of contraceptive injection that only contains the hormone progestogen. Progestogen can stop a woman’s menstrual bleeding or causing you to bleed heavily.  Don’t worry, the blood does not build up in your body and you will not become sick by not getting your period. If you are very worried about this, please go back to your clinic to speak to a healthcare worker. 

It’s great that you know your HIV status, does your partner know their status? If your partner is HIV negative, then they are at risk of getting infected with HIV. Your partner needs to be tested as soon as possible. If they are negative then they may need to take antiretroviral pills called PEP to prevent them from being infected with HIV. PEP needs to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex... so act fast!  Whether your partner is HIV positive or negative, you still need to use condoms every time you have sex. If you are not on treatment (ARVs), you need to start taking them to lower the HIV virus in your blood.

Hi Anonymous, It is normal if you don’t get your period every month while you are young, but it also could be a sign that you are pregnant. If you have sex without using a condom, there is even a chance that you could have been pregnant and had a miscarriage without knowing it. It is important that you go to the clinic to be sure. Sometimes using contraceptives like the injection, sub dermal implant or some IUDs to prevent pregnancy can also stop your period, but it is best to speak to a doctor or nurse to be sure that is the cause. 

Hi anonymous, we need clarification on your question: (is the period irregular or are you not getting it at all?).If you have not started getting your period at all there is no need to panic, as people start having their periods at different ages depending on their development. The normal ages of starting periods is between ages 10 to 18.

If you are having irregular periods, this is common amongst young girls who have only recently started having their periods. If the problem continues for more than 6 months it is best to visit our nearest clinic. There are several possible causes of irregular periods and most can be corrected easily with medication.

Hi Anonymous, thanks for the question. Many medications used to prevent pregnancy work by changing your menstrual cycle (period). This means that the time and length of your period may change. The best thing is to go back to the clinic so they can check you and give you the right treatment for you. If you need tablets, these can only be prescribed by a doctor or nurse (this is the only way to get hold of them). It is always best to use condoms too, as they will prevent other infections and HIV transmission.

Hi anonymous, thanks for this question. Sounds like you are having a tough time! It is unusual for the placenta to be left inside the womb. If it was, you would experience bleeding, but it does not cause vomiting. It is best to go to the doctor and do a sonar to check if the placenta is still in your womb. 

Hi  'Confused', I’m sorry. This sounds stressful.  If you tested positive on a rapid HIV test (finger prick), you most likely have HIV. Sometimes a rapid HIV test gives different results. Sometimes people test negative when they are not, because their HIV medication might make their viral load undetectable. There could also be something wrong with the test, like it has expired. Many people who test positive repeat their tests, in the hope that the result might change. Once you are positive, you will always be positive. If this happens the clinic should take a sample of your blood to be sent to the laboratory to be tested again. The result from this test can take 2 weeks and will tell you for certain if you are HIV positive. You can get this test done at your local clinic. It is very important to continue taking your ARVs until you receive the result. Please check all your baby's results and go to the clinic for all baby's appointments. Continue your baby's medication for the full 6 weeks to make sure he or she stays HIV negative. 

Hi Anonymous, I'm sorry to hear you feel frustrated. ARVs are now available for everyone, no matter what your CD4 count. Chat to a nurse or doctor about starting treatment as soon as possible! They can also help to measure your height and weight and work out an eating and exercise plan that's right for you so that you can love the body you are in. Also check out KNOW YOUR BODY

Healthy Living for some tips on healthy eating and exercise.

Hi Lisa, Thanks for your question. Without ARV treatment, which is now available for everyone, HIV can make your immune system (which fights disease) weak. If you are not on treatment, it is best to talk to a nurse or doctor to get started! They will do some tests to determine your HIV stage and work out the best treatment for you.