End of the Road...Final Blog

New methods of sexual contraception and chronic diseases are two topics I thought were the most interesting. There are many new alternative forms of birth control pills (like Seasonique), barrier methods (like Lea’s Shield), and sterilization methods (like Essure Micro-implant). Chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes are of great interest to me because I am susceptible developing these diseases. Learning, understanding, and practicing preventive measures such as eating more fruits, vegetables, and grains and exercising regularly will greatly reduce risk for developing chronic disease. It is fascinating how choices we make today can and do affect our health in the long run.

I was skeptical taking this class in the beginning because I thought I had taken a similar class years ago. And now at the end, I am extremely grateful that I did. I’ve learned so much about myself and about being a woman through this course. I have come to appreciate being a woman even more. I feel grateful and lucky to be able to make this journey with my classmates and professors. Thank you!

Blog #9 Female Circumcision

OUCH! I just wanted to scream in pain and agony after watching just a simulation of how girls are circumcised. I can’t even begin to imagine being a young girl living in a culture that still practices this horrific ritual. The older woman in this video clip insists that if this is not done, it is a cultural belief that when the girl gives birth, her baby and her parent will die. The girl dies when the uncircumcised clitoris grows up to the back of her head. What?? Maybe I’m just too emotional after watching this video, but it is appalling to known that many young girls right now as I am writing this is being circumcised. I can understand the reasoning behind this ritual because it is a belief passed down from one generation to the next and they (cultures who practice female circumcision) are not told anything different than what they know. Also there are other contributing factors such as thinking of women as subordinates; women/girls should obey their elders; possibility of being rejected by the community; made to feel unwanted or unworthy if girls/women do not follow through.

The best way to put an end to this ritual is to educate women, men and especially young girls. Teach them that these rituals do more harm than any good. The World Health Organization website discusses some short term and long term consequences of female circumcision:

FGM [female genital mutilation] has no health benefits, and it harms girls and women in many ways. It involves removing and damaging healthy and normal female genital tissue, and interferes with the natural functions of girls' and women's bodies.

Immediate complications can include severe pain, shock, hemorrhage (bleeding), tetanus or sepsis (bacterial infection), urine retention, open sores in the genital region and injury to nearby genital tissue.
Long-term consequences can include:
• recurrent bladder and urinary tract infections;
• cysts;
• infertility;
• the need for later surgeries. For example, the FGM procedure that seals or narrows a vaginal opening (type 3 above) is surgically changed to allow for sexual intercourse and childbirth, and sometimes stitched close again afterwards;
• an increased risk of childbirth complications and newborn deaths.

World health organization. (2008). Female genital mutilation. Retrieved on August 6, 2009 from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/index.html

Blog #8 Smoking thoughts...

Smoking is a nasty habit. I know and met many people of all ages and backgrounds who choose this habit. My dad smoked cigarettes and cigars started smoking as a young adult on a ship to help relieve boredom. My mom made sure that dad smoked outside and away from us kids. I remember having trouble breathing whenever I inhaled second hand smoke. Dad eventually stopped smoking because he could no longer hold or light a cigarette due to his arthritis. I worked at a job where 99.9% of co-workers smoked cigarettes during break time right outside the front door. And then after work, most of them smoked weed and drank alcohol as a way to relax. I have seen and personally felt some of the effects of marijuana. I didn’t smoke weed first hand, but I did inhale second hand smoke. I felt lightheaded, really tired, sleepy, and relaxed…so relaxed I just wanted to do absolutely nothing. After this only experience I absolutely do not want to do it again. Unfortunately I have some family members who have been and still choose to smoke cigarettes and weed as well as drink into a stupor. As I see it, it is their choice to do that their bodies but I don’t want to be around it.

Within the last in Tyler, the city passed a law forbidding anyone from smoking within 20 feet of an entrance and made restaurants smoke-free. This is great for non-smokers. Even though before when restaurants had a smoking or non-smoking sections, smoke travels. So I am pleased that something is being done about smoking.