Women's Health
Whether it is contraception, hormonal problems, difficulties with menstruation, unplanned pregnancy, breast symptoms, sexual dysfunction, bladder leakage, menopause or fertility advice women have very specific health issues. Our Doctors at Old Bar Medical Centre can assist you with your concerns.
MENSTRUATION PROBLEMS
Monthly bleeding can be manageable, particularly if the bleeding pattern is light and regular. However many women are unfortunate to have heavy, painful or irregular periods or to experience intense premenstrual syndrome (PMS) which can make life a misery. Heavy menstrual bleeding can become even more of a problem when approaching menopause (perimenopause). If you are having difficulty with your periods, for whatever reason, there are simple strategies which will help. Talk to one of our Doctors or Nurses.
MENOPAUSE
Menopause means the end of menstruation (periods). Average age of menopause is 52, but it can happen earlier or later. The natural, gradual reduction in hormone levels can sometimes produce symptoms, such as hot flushes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, reduced libido and mood changes. Most women don't need or want to take any medication, but if symptoms of oestrogen withdrawal are a bother, there are many options. Any of our doctors will happily talk with you, helping you choose the best approach to menopause.
CERVICAL SCREENING – PAP SMEARS
Cervical cancer is preventable if you keep up to date with your Pap Smears. By doing this, the change from abnormal cell to cancer cell, can be detected and stopped, and cancer does not develop. All our Doctors are available for Pap smear screening. Pap Tests are recommended up to the age of 70 yrs even if you are no longer sexually active.
BREAST AWARENESS
By knowing your own breasts, you are able to detect worrying changes if they occur.
Self Breast Examinations should be done routinely, (preferably after a period if you are still menstruating). Exam yourself when lying flat, or in the shower, with water/soap to help glide the fingers around the breast in circles. Move the flat of your fingers, around the whole surface of the breast from outside in. If you notice any new lumps, redness or nipple changes, then get it checked.
Breast cancer screening is free for women over 50 yrs, and consists of a simple X-ray (mammogram). Lumps and bumps in the breasts are common, and can be caused by cysts or glandular thickening. However, if a lump is cancerous and picked up in the early stages, it can be cured. Come and see us for a breast check
INCONTINENCE:
Leakage of urine is incredibly common, even in young women, though it gets more likely with age (even more likely if you have had children). Leakage (incontinence) of urine can happen if the muscles around the pelvic floor are weak (stress incontinence) or if the bladder muscles are overactive (urge incontinence) or sometimes the picture is mixed.
All forms of leakage can be improved with simple measures. Untreated bladder leakage can spoil your enjoyment of life, stop you going out or make you embarrassed. Don't put up with it!
For discussion, investigation or management of any of your women's health concerns or symptoms, come and see us.
STI/STD -Symptoms & Screenings
Both men and women are exposed to sexually transmitted infection, though the risk of different infections varies according to the type of sex you have. If you are a woman in a one-partner relationship with a one-partner man or woman, you are at low risk of getting an STI.
If you have multiple sexual partners or have a partner who engages in risky behaviour, your risk profile will be different. There may be no signs or symptoms. We suggest 12 monthly tests for young adults.