1. Cervical Screening
and Women’s Health
Presentation
Julia Goldberg
ICTPH Intern

2. Introduction of SughaVazhvu
• We are SughaVazhvu and we are here to talk with you
about women’s health issues and cervical screening we
offer through our clinics.
• We run seven clinics in Tamil Nadu communities,
providing health care for you and your family.
• Our mission is to “Create disease free villages” and we
conduct research and develop interventions to fight
community health problems.

4. About the clinic
• A doctor works at the clinics from 9:30am-6pm every day,
Monday through Saturday, providing primary care.
• You should all have ID cards from our clinic, and you
should bring these cards with you whenever you come to
our clinic.

6. Women’s Health
• Today will focus on women’s health and the services our
clinics provide for women’s health in the community.
• Women’s health is a part of primary care and is important
for well-being of family. Particular health issues affect
women all throughout their life, as girls mature into
women and as women age.
• I will discuss the health topics of menstruation,
contraception, menopause, reproductive tract infections,
and cancer. For each I will explain what they are and the
most useful information that you should know.

8. Menstruation
• Menstruation is the monthly cycle when women bleed through their
vagina. A woman’s period comes about every month. You are probably
familiar with your cycle already. It is important to be aware of your regular
cycle – how often your period comes, how long you have it for, and how
heavy your discharge is.
• Sometimes women might notice an irregular cycle. They might bleed
between their normal monthly periods, their discharge might be a
different color, or it might last longer than usual. If you bleed between
periods or have these other symptoms, you should come in to the clinic
to talk with the doctor. It might be a symptom of a different problem.
• Also, sometimes women have cramps when they have their period or
other uncomfortable symptoms. You can talk to the doctor to see how
you can best deal with these issues.
• It is very important to stay hygienic during your period. Otherwise, you
can develop infections or other health problems. We recommend using
sanitary napkins during your period. They are hygienic and collect the
blood from your period, and after use of a half a day, you can discard the
pad. They are relatively inexpensive, comfortable, and more hygienic and
safe than rags or other methods you might use.
• We have sanitary napkins available in the clinic.

10. Contraception
• Contraception should be used when a woman does not want to
get pregnant but is still having intercourse. There are both
reversible and irreversible methods of contraception. Male
condoms are perhaps the most widely used form of
contraception. Male condoms are used each time a couple has
intercourse to prevent the fertilization of her eggs.
• Women can also take oral contraceptives, which are pills that
prevent a woman from getting pregnant at that time. If a
woman later decides to have children, she can just stop taking
the pills and she can again get pregnant.
• There are also more permanent forms of contraception.
Women can get intrauterine devices that are inserted into the
woman’s body to prevent her from getting pregnant.
• If you have more questions about contraception and other
ways to prevent pregnancy while still having intercourse, come
in to our clinic. You can ask the doctor about contraception in a
confidential space.

12. Menopause
• Menopause is a natural and biological process in which
women stop having their period. This usually happens to
women in their late forties or early fifties.
• Women can have different symptoms of menopause.
Some women have hot flashes, when they suddenly feel
hot and can get red blotches on their skin. Other women
might have trouble sleeping, night sweats, and have more
mood changes.
• To counteract some of these effects, we recommend that
you stay active and don’t smoke.
• If you feel you have other changes or symptoms, come in
to the clinic to talk with the doctor.

14. Infections
• Another major issue in women’s health is reproductive tract infections.
• A woman’s reproductive system is involved in the process of getting
pregnant and giving birth. This system is composed of parts in a
woman’s pelvic region, including the vagina, the cervix, the uterus,
the fallopian tubes, and the ovaries. Infections can affect different
parts of this system. Infections of the vagina can be visible externally,
whereas infections of the cervix might only be visible with an internal
examination.
• You can get infections if you do not wash hygienically when you go to
the bathroom or when you have your period. Infections can also be
spread during intercourse. For the latter, use condoms as often as
possible to prevent the spread of infections.
• These infections can lead to health problems like rashes and warts.
Infection of the cervix can even lead to cancer. Most infections are
treatable with antibiotics.
• Some symptoms of infections include abnormal discharge or bleeding
between your periods.

16. Cervical Screening
• We have a camp day at your clinic specifically focused on
cervical screening. The screening looks for abnormalities
on your cervix.
• The cervix is the lower part of your uterus. It is part of a
woman’s reproductive system and it serves as a
connection between the uterus and the vagina. Normally it
is a very small opening to the uterus, but during childbirth,
the cervix opens to allow the baby to pass through.
• Infections can cause problems with your cervix, and
sometimes can lead to cancer.

18. Cervical Abnormalities
• Cancer or other cervical abnormalities can take many
years to develop, and there might not even be any
symptoms that something is developing. There can be
lesions or other abnormal growth on your cervix that you
would not know about. The cervical screening procedure
catches the progression of different abnormal growths at
an early stage, before it develops into something
dangerous, so it is much easier to treat and cure.
• Women who are 26 years old and are married should get
screened, which includes most of you here today.

20. Screening Process
• The camp at the clinic will last from 9:30am through 6pm.
Remember to come in with your ID card. You will first get
basic measurements taken and then will get the screening
exam done.
• The screening procedure is done in a separate room by a
female health practitioner. The procedure is free and the
results are confidential.

22. VIA/VILI Exam
• We use the VIA/VILI exam to screen for cervical abnormalities.
This is a simple and quick test. Gowns are used to cover your
body, and the procedure includes an internal exam.
• The doctor uses a speculum to look at the cervix and to see if
there are any abnormalities.
• There might be minimal discomfort associated with the
procedure, but there are no side effects.
• You get the results of your procedure right away, and talk with
the doctor about them.
• If you get a positive test result, this is no reason to worry. You
would just need to continue following up with the doctor to
confirm test results and to discuss the treatment process.
Infections can often be detected and treated easily with
medication, as well as any other cervical abnormalities.
• The entire procedure is free, but if you need medication you
must pay for it at the clinic.

24. Resources at Camp
• Come in to the clinic to talk to the doctor about the
screening and about any other health issues. We have a
cervical screening camp day, so you can come with family
and friends and all get screened. You can also come other
days of the week since we always offer cervical screening
at the clinic.
• We also have pamphlets and other resources available for
you to learn more about cervical screening. Come in to
the clinic and ask the doctor any questions you might
have.

26. Closing message
• Women’s health is of extreme importance. It is also an
area of health about which education is lacking. We, at
SughaVazhvu, are trying to change that. We are working
hard to educate about women’s health as well as to
provide services to the women of the community.
• We have a screening camp at your clinic, but we also
perform screenings every day. Remember, all women
over the age of 26 years old should be screened! You can
also come in any day to talk with the doctor about any
health problems you might have.
• Thank you for listening and we hope to see you soon at
the clinic!