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

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

Your fertility is affected by everything from age, your partner’s age and sperm health, daily diet, BMI, stress and even pollution. Lifestyle factors like smoking, drinking and drugs might seem like obvious things to avoid, but did you know that excessive exercise, is also not a good idea when trying to fall pregnant? Let’s separate the facts from the fallacies. Key Fertility Statistics for South African Women: - Total Fertility Rate (TFR): 2.21 in 2025, falling from 2.78 in

Researchers: Janine Blignaut (PhD candidate), Dr Gabre Kemp from the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry , Prof Elizabeth Erasmus , Prof Deon Visser , and Prof Marietjie Schutte-Smith from the Department of Chemistry . March 2026 Synopsis… A recent study by the University of the Free State tested popular menstrual products sold in South Africa, and found hormone-disrupting chemicals in every product tested, even those marketed as “free from harmful chemic

Proper Oral Hygiene Habits: Brushing at least twice a day for two minutes, using a soft-bristled brush and toothpaste. Holding the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line and gently use short strokes to clean the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Flossing to remove plaque and food particles from areas your toothbrush can’t reach. Gently brushing or using a tongue scraper to clean your tongue, as bacteria can build up there, leading to bad breath. Changing y