News / National
Women warned against privates tightening herbs
01 Feb 2014 at 13:46hrs | Views
HARARE-BASED oncologist Annah Mary Nyakabawo has warned women to desist from using v*gina tightening herbs saying this exacerbated the risk of contracting the human papilloma virus that causes cervical cancer.
Addressing journalists at a health workshop in Harare on Wednesday, Nyakabawo said the herbs had a negative effect of breaking down surfaces around the v*gina that protect women from contracting diseases.
"As part of the programmes, the Ministry of Health has to teach women about the dangers of cervical cancer, we carry out campaigns for women to go for screening," Nyakabawo said.
"We also discourage women against using concoctions or traditional medicines on their sexual organs to try and tighten them," she said.
"What happens is that if the surfaces of a v*gina are tightened and if there is trauma, the risk of infection by HIV or the human papilloma virus that causes cervical cancer is increased because the protective surfaces around the v*gina would have broken down."
She said skin-lightening creams or tablets were also very dangerous as they destroyed pigmentation.
"When they apply those creams, they remove pigments that protect their skin from sunshine and expose themselves to the high risk of skin cancers," Nyakabawo said.
Addressing journalists at a health workshop in Harare on Wednesday, Nyakabawo said the herbs had a negative effect of breaking down surfaces around the v*gina that protect women from contracting diseases.
"As part of the programmes, the Ministry of Health has to teach women about the dangers of cervical cancer, we carry out campaigns for women to go for screening," Nyakabawo said.
"We also discourage women against using concoctions or traditional medicines on their sexual organs to try and tighten them," she said.
"What happens is that if the surfaces of a v*gina are tightened and if there is trauma, the risk of infection by HIV or the human papilloma virus that causes cervical cancer is increased because the protective surfaces around the v*gina would have broken down."
She said skin-lightening creams or tablets were also very dangerous as they destroyed pigmentation.
"When they apply those creams, they remove pigments that protect their skin from sunshine and expose themselves to the high risk of skin cancers," Nyakabawo said.
Source - newsday
