Women's health & female contraception advice

Once your pregnancy is confirmed it's important to schedule antenatal appointments throughout the pregnancy. The appointments are often carried out at the hospital, although with a shared care arrangement we can carry them out right here in our Nambour clinic.

Shared care is an arrangement between the hospital and our health clinic where your pregnancy care is divided between the two places. Some women like this arrangement as it allows them to receive most of their maternity care from a known health provider.

Once an arrangement is in place you will need to book 8 to 10 appointments, depending on your situation.

A clinical breast check is a physical exam done by one of our health care providers. We can conduct this exam during a regular medical check-up.

Our friendly team has been trained to carefully feel the breasts, underarm and below the clavicle (breast bone) for abnormalities and changes. During a breast check, we will visually assess the breasts while the patient is sitting up and physically examine them while they are lying down.

If any abnormalities are found, we will refer you for a follow-up mammogram or breast ultrasound. Although most abnormal findings are not breast cancer it is best to not delay the follow-up appointment. Early detection is key to treating the diagnosis.

The Pap smear has now changed to the Cervical Screening Test (CST).

The Cervical Screening Test is offered to women aged 25 to 74 every 5 years. This procedure looks and feels like a Pap smear; a doctor collects a sample of cells from the cervix using a small brush. The main difference with the Cervical Screening Test is its ability to detect the HPV virus that can cause cervical cancer.

If an abnormal result is found, further testing such as a colposcopy or biopsy, may be required. Once further testing has been completed we will be able to talk you through treatment options, if required.

A colposcopy is a further examination of your cervix where a colposcope—which looks similar to binoculars on a stand—provides a magnified view of the cervix.

This examination is similar to a Cervical Screening Test as a speculum will be inserted into the vagina. A special liquid will then be put on your cervix to highlight abnormal areas. This procedure will take from 10 to 15 minutes and will cause some discomfort.

If required a biopsy will taken at this time. To follow on if further treatment is required this will be discussed at your follow up appointment.

Gential warts are one of the most common sexually transmissible infections and are often caused by the HPV virus. Our team can remove genital warts using diathermy treatment.

Diathermy involves the use of electrical energy to produce tissue damage. It is often used for larger numbers of warts or when other treatments have not been effective.

Menopause is the process your body goes through to become infertile.

It is a natural event that occurs in every woman, generally around the age of 51 although it can occur anywhere from 45–55 years. Menopause arises when your ovaries stop producing the usual amount of oestrogen and progesterone. These hormonal changes are what cause the symptoms of menopause.

Regular symptoms include:

• Hot flushes
• Vaginal changes
• Mood swings

Our team can help you understand the different stages of menopause including, perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. We can also help you work through these stages in a comfortable way.