Unplanned pregnancy is common, with an estimated one third of women in Australia having an unexpected or unintended pregnancy at some point in their lifetime. Since the general practitioner is often the first place a woman turns to after finding out they are pregnant, it’s important to remain open-minded and non-judgemental when faced with this scenario. Continue reading “[5 min read] Supporting patients with unplanned pregnancy” →

Endometriosis is a common and often underdiagnosed condition affecting up to one in nine Australian women of reproductive age. Often the first port of call for women with endometriosis is the general practitioner; therefore, understanding the symptoms, diagnosis and management of this common condition is essential.
Continue reading “[5 min read] How to manage patients with endometriosis” →

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), often referred to as “premature menopause”, is the loss of ovarian function before age 40. Spontaneous POI affects an estimated 1–4% of women, with a further cohort of women being affected by secondary or iatrogenic POI caused by surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormonal therapies. Continue reading “[5 min read] How to manage premature ovarian insufficiency” →

Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are significant and potentially life-threatening conditions affecting approximately one million Australians. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are more common in female patients, particularly adolescents, and can have a mortality rate of up to 20 per cent – higher than any other psychiatric disorder. Continue reading “[6 min read] How to manage anorexia & bulimia nervosa in female patients” →

Complementary medicines and alternative therapies have long been used alongside traditional medicine to tackle women’s health issues, including menopause, urinary tract infections, mental health issues, sexual problems, cyclical mastalgia, and to support women before and during pregnancy. Continue reading “[6 min read] Complementary medicines to support women’s health” →

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when the pelvic organs (i.e. the bladder, vagina, cervix, uterus and rectum) protrude downwards into the vaginal canal due to weakening of the pelvic floor and loss of anatomical support. POP is more common in older women, women who have had a vaginal delivery, and women who are overweight or obese.

It is essential for primary care practitioners to be able to support these patients in general practice.
Continue reading “[6 min read] Managing pelvic organ prolapse in primary care” →

Urinary incontinence affects an estimated 38 per cent of Australian women, and it is estimated that up to 70 per cent of sufferers do not consult with a healthcare professional, possibly due to embarrassment. Therefore general practitioners need to ask about urinary incontinence in a sensitive manner.
Continue reading “[6 min read] Managing urinary incontinence in primary care” →

Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 60, with the average age being 51. Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstrual bleeding caused by loss of ovarian follicular activity, and can be diagnosed clinically in women over the age of 45 who have not had a menstrual period for 12 months. Menopausal symptoms can persist for many years after the point of menopause, and are a common reason for consulting a primary care practitioner.
Continue reading “[5 min read] Supporting post-menopausal women in primary care” →

Weight management is relevant to everyone, and problems with weight management, although not a common presenting complaint, are often first unearthed by the general practitioner. With 60 per cent of Australian women being overweight or obese, and this proportion expected to increase, weight management is relevant to a large proportion of people attending their GP. Continue reading “[5 min read] Women’s obesity & weight management in primary care” →

Breast problems are a common reason for women to attend their general practitioner. These problems can cause significant anxiety, primarily because breast cancer is the most common malignancy in the population, affecting nearly one in eight women. Some of the most common presentations are breast lumps, mastalgia (pain in the breast), nipple problems and skin changes. Continue reading “[5 min read] Managing breast problems in primary care” →