Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, as defined by the World Health Organization. Though this definition applies to all genders, there are specific things about women’s health that female students at NYU Abu Dhabi should know.

Every night during the past month, the top of the Campus Center has been lit up in pink to promote knowledge of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Even though the month has come to an end, conversations about breast cancer, individual lessons on self-checks and any other preventive measures are still available to female students at NYUAD.

The Health and Wellness Center confirmed that nurses are more than happy to teach every female student how to perform a self-check and address any other related concerns. When necessary, students are directed to take an ultrasound or mammogram screening.

In the UAE, it is possible to get an HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancers, as well as some cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina and oropharynx. Though each country sets different norms, it is generally agreed that women should get this vaccine before the age of 26. The UAE Ministry of Health encourages all young women to obtain the vaccine and it is possible to get it at your own cost.

The HPV vaccine consists of three doses, to be taken over the span of six months. In case you’re planning on spending semesters or summers abroad, take that into consideration because missing any of the doses makes the vaccine ineffective. A new HPV vaccine was recently approved, which protects against nine strains of HPV as opposed to the earlier vaccines that protect against two and four strains. Once this new vaccine is available in the UAE, the Health and Wellness Center will continue to work with the health authorities and the university to try to make it available for students at a low cost.

In case of a health concern, it is possible to see a gynecologist in the UAE. Students should know that HTH covers the cost of the appointment, testing and, when outside of the UAE, prescribed medication including a yearly supply of recommended hormonal treatment. The Pap smear test, used to detect potential pre-cancerous and cancerous processes in the cervix, is available here only for married women. In case of concerns, Health & Wellness recommends discussing the topic with a nurse.

One of the only hormonal regulation pills for the menstruation cycle available in the country is Diane 35, which is used in Europe primarily for acne and excessive hair control. The use of the drug requires a medical examination followed by a prescription in order to minimize the risk of side effect.

The Convenience Store offers a wide range of menstrual pads and tampons, including applicator tampons. When using tampons, students should know that they must be removed less than 6 hours after insertion because of the risk of toxic shock. Menstrual cups are available online, with prices ranging from 43 to 220 AED.

Whether in search of beauty or everyday care, it is important to keep in mind that some cosmetics available on the market can have potentially harmful effects. Students are encouraged to pay attention to cosmetics that have expired or contain hazardous substances, such as paraben and phthalates, which can lead to problems ranging from skin irritation to breast cancer. Hair dyes and skin whitening products should be given special scrutiny, regardless of whether they come from a supermarket, a beauty salon or our very own Convenience Store.

While the counseling services at NYUAD are available to all students, certain issues may cause female students to want to reach out to the Women’s Leadership Network Student Interest Group. Those could range from revulsion at the term feminazi, to love for women’s literature or just the need to have a friendly chat in a female-dominated space.