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Researchers: Discovery Health's Josie Grubb (Actuarial Analyst), Anesu Williams (Actuary), Dr Noluthando Nematswerani (Chief Clinical Officer), Amalia Theologides (Content Lead), Shirley Collie (Chief Health Research Actuary), Lara Wayburne (Chief Health Intelligence Actuary) April 2025 What Is The Study About? This study highlights the success of the infertility treatment funded by the Assisted Reproductive Therapy Benefit introduced by Discovery Health Medical Scheme (D

Cancer is a major public health challenge in South Africa, with tens of thousands of new diagnoses reported annually. Official tracking is managed via the National Cancer Registry. Most Common Cancers in Women… - Breast cancer: 1 in 28; it is the leading cancer among SA women. Over 50% of patients are diagnosed at a late stage. - Cervical cancer: 1 in 39, representing a major cause of cancer incidence and mortality among females. - Other frequent types: Colorectal cancer, ute

Vaginal tightening in South Africa is a rapidly growing field, encompassing both specialised surgical procedures and non-surgical energy therapies. Statistics… - Private urogynecologists report that women seeking these treatments are aged between 30 and 55. - SA healthcare networks like Netcare, non-surgical energy-based therapies have gained massive ground due to zero downtime. - Studies on regional vaginal practices highlight that a small statistical baseline of women in SA

As South African women, this is a term we should all familiarise ourselves with, even if we don’t experience it ourselves. In SA, period poverty affects an estimated 7 to 8 million women and girls who lack consistent access to safe, affordable menstrual products, functional sanitation facilities, or adequate health education. It remains a significant socioeconomic driver of gender inequality across the country. Key Impact Areas - 30% of SA schoolgirls miss up to a week of sc

Researchers: Mweete D.Nglazi and John E. Ataguba. November 2024 What Is The Study About? This study assesses the changing patterns in socioeconomic inequality in overweight and obesity among South African non-pregnant WCBA between 1998 and 2016. It uses data from the 1998 and 2016 Demographic and Health Surveys. Socioeconomic inequality in overweight and obesity was assessed using the concentration index. The index was decomposed to identify contributing factors to obesit

For women, who experience stress-related somatic disorders, hormonal fluctuations, and chronic pain conditions, hypnotherapy serves as an evidence-based complementary tool in several key areas of wellness. Menopausal Symptom Management - Clinical research has shown that hypnotherapy can reduce the frequency and severity of menopausal hot flashes and night sweats by up to 70–80%. Reproductive & Perinatal Health - Techniques focus on interrupting the “fear-tension-pain” cycle.

Researchers: P Barron, N Lince-Deroche, L Bamford, H Subedar, T Mbatha and Y Pillay. March 2026 What Is The Study About? In South Africa (SA), adolescent pregnancy, particularly in very young girls, is an issue of keen public and political concern given its social and health implications. This study provides a quantitative baseline that SA can use for targeting its efforts to address adolescent pregnancy and for measuring progress over time. Why Is This Important? Bar

This Pelvic floor-focussed post deep dives into the challenges that change significantly as women age. Understanding these decade-by-decade transitions is key to maintaining lifelong pelvic floor health. 20’s: - This is the decade of peak pelvic floor muscle strength, but it is also marked by high-impact activities (like running or heavy lifting) and the onset of menstrual or endometriosis-related pelvic pain. - Focus on learning to relax the pelvic floor as well as strengthe

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a crisis in South Africa, classified as a national disaster. Extensive research from the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) indicates that over 33.1% of SA women over the age of 18 have experienced physical violence in their lifetime, with nearly 40% experiencing some form of physical or sexual violence. Prevalence and Types of Abuse - Roughly one in ten women (9.8%) have experienced lifetime sexual violence, while 33.1% have experience

Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 (10%) women of reproductive age in South Africa, translating to an estimated 2.8 million women. Mirroring global trends, local patients typically face an average diagnostic delay of about 8 years. Endo cannot be permanently cured, but it can be highly effectively managed. Because it is a chronic, estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease, the goal of treatment shifts from eradication to symptom suppression, fertility preservation, and

Researcher: Mahtaab Hayat is a lecturer and researcher at Wits University. Her research focuses on breast cancer genetics, specifically in South African populations. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58789-0 18 June 2026 What Is The Study About? What if you could predict how likely someone was to develop breast cancer? Not just someone with a history of breast cancer in the family - anybody. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women, globally. We know br

Perform a breast self-examination once a month to familiarise yourself with what is normal for your body. Did You Know? - If you menstruate, the best time to check is 3 to 5 days after your period ends, when your breasts are least swollen. - If you are post-menopausal, pick a specific, easy-to-remember day (eg. the 1st of the month) to check consistently. - 80-90% of detected lumps are non-cancerous. How to Perform a Self-Examination 1. Visual Check (in front of a mirror) - S

There is substantial scientific evidence supporting yoga as an effective complementary therapy for a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. Research shows that the combination of postures, controlled breathing, and meditation measurably alters body chemistry, nervous system function, and gene expression. Did You Know? The Sivananda World Peace Foundation introduced structured yoga programmes to underfunded, rural schools in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal. The historical

Authored by: Zuha Ajlan – Lead Data Collection and Research Specialist at Femmflo. Introduction Historically, women have been excluded from scientific research due to the cyclic variation in their hormones. It had been assumed that results obtained from men applied to women as well (Dresser, 1992; Wainer et al., 2020). This has led to a gross underrepresentation of women in research, delayed symptom recognition, diagnostics and even treatment. In fact, it was decades before w

In South Africa, this type of doctor combines conventional Western treatments with holistic, evidence-based therapies. It focuses on identifying the root causes of chronic illness rather than just managing symptoms. Practitioners frequently utilise lifestyle modifications, nutritional therapy, and advanced functional testing to create personalised treatment plans. Did You Know? Functional and integrative medicine data in SA is categorised under the broader market segment of T

Breast cancer screening is a proactive, life-saving measure designed to detect abnormal cell growth, tumors, or changes in breast tissue in apparently healthy women. Early detection is extremely effective. South Africa lacks a fully integrated, state-funded national mammography screening framework. This creates stark divides in adherence statistics between private health sectors and rural public sectors. Statistics - Localised metropolitan peer-research published by the Healt

Our local aesthetic and beauty industry is booming, driven by consumers that prioritise affordable luxuries despite tough economic times. Statistics… - According to the ⁠ISAPS 2023 Survey, over 37,000 surgical procedures are performed annually in SA. - The leading procedures are dominated by face/head surgeries (18,269), breast augmentations and reductions (12,405), and body contouring like liposuction and abdominoplasty (6,709). - Non-surgical treatments like Botox, fillers,

Researcher: Raeesah Ismail from the Department of Psychology (University of the Witwatersrand) under the supervision of Dr S Rogers, research conducted in 2025. Citation: Ismail, Raeesah. (2025). Psychological Wellbeing Among South African Women with Endometriosis: A Quantitative Study. [Master's dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/47828 What Is The Study About? This study explored the experiences and psycholo

This is a specialised, gentle form of massage that stimulates the movement of lymph fluids around the body. It aims to reduce localised swelling, accelerate post-surgical healing, boost immunity, and promote relaxation by clearing stagnant waste and fluid from tissues. Key Benefits - Edema & Lymphedema Reduction: Significantly decreases swelling caused by injury, chronic conditions (like lymphedema), or post-surgical fluid buildup (especially after surgeries). - Accelerated P

Researchers: Solarin, Ijeoma, Fiona Scorgie, Rose Refilwe Lamola, Celeste Madondo, Isabelle L. Lange, Pascalia Munyewende, Shobna Sawry, Matthew Francis Chersich, and Gloria Maimela. January 2026 What Is The Study About? Rising global temperatures and heatwaves pose major health risks, particularly for pregnant women, infants and other vulnerable groups. Using Photovoice, we aimed to foreground how pregnant and postpartum women in an urban township in Tshwane, South Afric