More Information:
- Well women's health care
- Abnormal cervical smears - colposcopy
- Family planning & contraception - hormonal, implants, IUD
- Infertility & ovulation induction
- Abnormal uterine bleeding - office endometrial biopsy
- Menopause & hormone replacement therapy
- Urinary incontinence
- Prolapse & pelvic floor reconstruction
- Dermogynaecology clinic & vulvar disease
- Vulvar skin care
- General anaesthesia or spinal block
- Self referral tests
Well Women's Health Care
The concept of well women’s health care embraces the principle of preventive medicine whereby the patient has certain examinations and tests done in the absence of any symptoms in an attempt to detect any disease process before it is clinically evident.
Breast self examination
Breast self examination should be performed by all women from 25 years of age and this is best done on a monthly basis just after menstruation. This is particularly important in those with a strong family history of breast cancer who should also have mammography done from 40 years of age onwards.
Mammography
Mammography should be carried out from 50 years of age and is free of charge at Breast Screen who will also send out reminders to patients every 2 years. Central telephone number for breast screen is 13 20 50.
Cervical cytology (Pap smears)
Cervical cytology (Pap smears) should be done every 2 years in all sexually active women and every 12 months for those considered to be at high risk. You can attend your family doctor for this and you will be referred for further investigation whenever an abnormality is detected.
Vulvar self examination
Vulvar self examination is very important in those patients who have chronic vulvar disorders characterized by persistent irritation, itch or soreness. The aim is to know your vulva and to be able to recognize any changes that have occurred either in consistency of the vulvar skin or changes in colour. The patient should be in a comfortable semi recumbent position with the legs parted. Using a mirror with a handle and a good light, gently part the outer labia first and then the inner labia looking for any change in colour either white, red or pigmented areas and then feel for any raised or indurated lesion. Also inspect the areas around the urethra, perineum and anus. If you are uncertain about any findings you should consult your family doctor.
Ovarian cancer screening
Ovarian cancer screening is not able to be done as currently there are no specific screening tests that can be performed for this disease. All women attending for a routine cervical smear should have a bimanual examination performed to exclude any swelling of the ovary. Beyond 70 years of age when cervical cytology does not need to be done, patients should attend their general practitioner for routine examinations every 12 months to assess for any ovarian enlargement. This is particularly important for those patients with a strong family history of either breast or ovarian cancer. Blood tests such as serum CA 125 or ultrasound screening have not proven to be of any benefit as screening tests for the detection of ovarian cancer.