Australian family physician

BACKGROUND: Persistent pelvic pain (PPP) is estimated to affect 15-25% of women. Despite this, few guidelines for management are available and few medical practitioners feel adequately skilled to manage the complex range of symptoms that pr…

Endometriosis is a common gynaecological condition; cutaneous endometriosis is a subtype of endometriosis. Although cutaneous endometriosis involving the abdominal wall is not common, preoperative diagnosis of cutaneous endometriosis can be…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is one of the major causes of pelvic pain and subfertility in women. OBJECTIVE: This article discusses the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. DISCUSSION: Empiric treatment in women presenting with pain sym…

BACKGROUND: Midlife is much more than menopause. At the time of their life when women may be experiencing symptoms relating to decreased ovarian function, they are also confronted with a range of physical and psychosocial issues that may af…

BACKGROUND: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common condition that poses diagnostic and management challenges for doctors and their patients. OBJECTIVE: This article outlines an approach to the diagnosis and management of CPP in women, lists…

BACKGROUND: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is the major cause of heavy menstrual bleeding and impacts on women's health both medically and socially. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the management of DUB. DISCUSSION: Dysfunctional ut…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a common condition seen in general practice, affecting 10% of women of reproductive age. Recognition of risk factors on history and examination can lead to an earlier diagnosis and appropriate referral. This may…

This fifth article in the series looks at the long tradition of using herbal treatment for managing complications during pregnancy and with the menstrual cycle. Despite widespread use there has been surprisingly little research into the out…

27 year old Melinda presents to you with increasingly severe dysmenorrhoea. She has been using condoms for contraception and is no longer able to control the pain with the anti inflammatory tablets you suggested at the last consultation 6 m…

The treatment of menorrhagia has changed significantly in two ways. Between 20% to 40% of women complaining of menorrhagia have normal to below normal blood loss and may avoid medical and surgical treatment by learning how to cope with mens…

Most gynaecological operations can now be performed laparoscopically. The results for patients are a reduction in pain, less time spent in hospital and in convalescence and cost savings. For some procedures the risk of infection and adhesio…

The incidence of sexual dysfunction following hysterectomy is reported to be 38% in the United Kingdom 39% in South Africa and 28% in Australia. Few physicians are aware of any psychiatric sequelae. To many women hysterectomy means: 1) reli…