I have been training over the past two days in travel medicines an independent contractor and evaluating pilots and flight attendants for travel to Ghana.

There are numerous vaccinations required for anyone who will be traveling to this country.  Other countries have similar measures although the vaccination regimen may be different. For Ghana, one will need vaccinations for yellow fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal Meningitis,Cholera, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis, Polio and medication to prevent Malaria.

The Centers of Disease Control has all the information you will need know prior to an international trip. In regard to Ghana, they recommend adults get the intramuscular form of polio as immunity appears to wane with oral polio.  Also, they recommend that adult who have received Tetanus & Diphtheria receive the Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis as the latter is a significant problem in Ghana. Tuberculosis also appears to be prevalent and travelers are instructed how to avoid placing themselves at risk.

In addition to the medical information, immunizations, and medications, they receive a travel advisory which includes information on the country's political situation, personal safety, travel conditions (auto) in the area and other social situations.

The Little Pink Pill

"The little pink pill” This is what they are calling a new drug (flibanserin) that is said to "boost women's sex drive. The Food and Drug Administration will be considering endorsing this medication. The medication is said to increase women’s sex drive, but the exact mechanism is unknown. This medication was initially being tested as anti-depressant, but if was not effective. What was noticed is that it had an interesting side effect – increasing the women’s sexual desire. Its side effects are nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness.

Since the arrival of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) on the scene in the late 1990’s, pharmaceutical companies have been looking for an equivalent medication for women. Pfizer and others hoped sildenafil citrate would do for women what it has done for men, but it didn’t.

Women's needs and sex drives are not as straight forward as men's. Several things can influence a woman's sex drive. These may include stress, lack of exercise, diet, medical problems, aging, a stressful relationship or lack of a relationship. I will get deeper into the reasons for decreased sex drive in women in the future.