Medline Pubmed

Endometrial ablation The endometrium (lining of the uterus) is shed monthly during menstruation. Abnormalities in the endometrium can give rise to abnormal uterine bleeding (menorrhagia). Endometrial ablation – the removal of  the endometrium - can be an effective treatment for the condition. Recovery is likely to take two weeks or more and, like all surgical procedures has some risk of complications. The procedure has a 90% success rate. Endometrial ablation may be a suitable alternative to hysterectomy for some women to address heavy uterine bleeding. It is not suitable for women who have problems that affect the wall of the uterus, such as fibroids or tumours, and is not generally used to treat endometriosis.   The procedure Endometrial ablation is usually done as a day stay procedure. It will be performed in an operating theatre using a regional or general anaesthetic. The procedure may be referred to as endometrial res...

Dilation and curettage Dilation and curettage is a minor surgical procedure used to diagnose and/or treat conditions which affect the inside of the uterus.   The procedure may be performed as a day stay procedure and can be performed under a general anaesthetic or using a local anaesthetic with sedation.  It usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes to perform.   During the procedure the doctor stretches open (dilates) the cervix and guides a scoop like surgical instrument (a curette) into the uterus.  The curette is used to scrape tissue from the wall of the uterus. Sometimes vacuum aspiration or low-pressure suction may be used as well.   Dilation and curettage (D&C) can be used to:  Remove polyps from the uterus Remove an IUD Remove pieces of placenta after childbirth Remove an incomplete  miscarriage   A D&C can also be used to help diagnose problems causing:  Heavy menstrual bleeding Abnormal bleed...

Endometriosis - symptoms, diagnosis, surgery, treatment Endometriosis is a common inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is found outside the uterus.  The tissue can form lesions, nodules and cysts which are mostly found in the pelvis, the Pouch of Douglas, ovaries, bowel, ligaments and bladder. It can be common for adhesions (fibrous scar tissue which causes internal organs or tissue to stick together) to form. Cysts on an ovary (endometriomas) may also develop in more advanced stages of the disease.  Endometriosis can usually be effectively managed through medication and/or surgery and lifestyle modifications.   Signs and symptoms Painful periods (dysmenorrhoea) that cause distress can be the first sign that a young girl or woman has endometriosis. The most common symptoms of endometriosis include: Pelvic pain - usually, but not always, associated with menstrual periods. The pain can be severe and debilitating ...

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) General information During menopause, oestrogen and progesterone production is reduced. Menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, sweats, and vaginal dryness, can occur as the body adjusts to these hormonal changes. The risk of developing osteoporosis (bone thinning) also increases during menopause.   The duration of menopausal symptoms varies considerably between women. On average, symptoms last for around two years. Some women pass through the menopause without noticing any symptoms, while others report severe symptoms.  ormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the use of medications containing female hormones to replace hormones the body no longer makes naturally after menopause.  Its purpose is to treat hot flushes and other symptoms of menopause, most commonly in cases of early menopause (before the age of 45) or when menopausal symptoms are severe. HRT delivery methods and regimens HRT (be it oestrog...

Hysterectomy Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. It may also involve removal of the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes and other surrounding structures.   Hysterectomy may be recommended to treat various conditions including: heavy or abnormal uterine bleeding; fibroids (non-cancerous growths or tumours) in the uterus; endometriosis; pelvic inflammatory disease; prolapse (ie falling down or slipping out of place) of the uterus and/or vagina; cancer of the uterus, cervix or ovaries. General information The type of hysterectomy performed will depend on the condition being treated. Types of hysterectomy include:  Subtotal / partial – removal of the uterus Total – removal of the uterus and cervix Radical – removal of the uterus, the cervix, the upper part of the vagina, and tissue surrounding the cervix (usually used in treating gynaecological cancers). In some cases the ovaries (oophorectomy) and/or fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) may...

Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment of - Molar pregnancy  A molar pregnancy occurs when the tissue surrounding a fertilised egg develops abnormally. A range of symptoms may appear by the fourth month of pregnancy but often molar pregnancy is discovered when a miscarriage occurs.  Treatment usually includes a dilation and curettage (D&C) following the miscarriage to remove molar tissue in the uterus that, if not removed, has a small risk of developing into cancer.  A molar pregnancy is also known as a hydatidiform mole. The tissue surrounding the fertilised egg, which would normally develop into the placenta, instead forms a grapelike mass inside the uterus. There are two different types of molar pregnancy:  Partial molar pregnancy  In addition to the abnormal tissue, some normal pregnancy tissue develops, eg: a foetus, amniotic tissue, or umbilical cord. If a foetus develops, it will nearly always die early in the pregnancy as a result of the condition. On...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)   Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome and Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a condition characterised by the development of multiple cysts in the ovaries.  It has a range of hormonal and metabolic effects and is a common cause of infertility. It is thought that PCOS affects up to 10% of all pre-menopausal women. Symptoms can begin to appear in childhood or adolescence, and continue for the entirety of a woman’s life. While PCOS cannot be cured, it can usually be effectively treated. When left untreated there is an increased risk of high cholesterol levels, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and endometrial cancer.  Signs and symptoms There are a number of symptoms of PCOS which vary in nature and severity from woman to woman. These include:  Irregular periods Excess hair growth (hirsutism) on the face and body Weight gain Acne and oily skin Infertility...

Stop smoking The reasons to stop smoking are numerous. Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of lung cancer, and is related to many other health issues. Indeed, smoking kills one in every two regular smokers. And if smoking doesn’t kill you, it will damage your health. How does smoking cause illness? In relation to cardiovascular disease, smoking is linked to atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries), it reduces "good" blood cholesterol which transports fat away from artery walls, and raises blood pressure.  Smoking raises blood glucose levels, which makes diabetes   harder to control. Diabetics who smoke will have a greatly elevated risk of heart attack and other complications associated with diabetes.  Studies demonstrate that a person's risk of cardiovascular disease starts to decline very soon after they stop smoking.  In relation to lung and other cancers, carcinogens (cancer causing age...

Stress - causes, symptoms, management Stress describes your physical or emotional response to demands or pressures that they may experience from time to time.  Common causes of stress include work, money, relationships and illness.  Symptoms may include irritability, difficulty sleeping or relaxing, headaches and muscle tension.  Stress management approaches include lifestyle changes, relaxation and counseling. Causes of modern day stress Stress can be a positive thing - helping an individual to grow, develop, be stimulated and take action.  However, if stress exceeds a person’s ability to cope it can impact on their mental and physical health in a range of ways.  In the days of the caveman, stress often came in the form of physical threats that required individuals to react quickly and decisively.  The body helped out by automatically clicking into high gear at the first sign of trouble, releasing a surge of hormones (notably adrenaline and co...