How can I reduce the risk of developing endometriosis?

There is no proven way to reduce the risk of endometriosis, though there are some theories out there. Women who have children early in life seem to be at less of a risk, because when you are pregnant you don’t menstruate. Similarly, women who use the pill for long periods …

How is endometriosis treated?

Many women live their whole lives with endometriosis and never find out. If the endometriosis is not causing you any pain, and you are not trying to conceive, the contraceptive pill is a simple method of treatment. The pill stops ovulation and will usually suppress the endometriosis activity, and put …

Can fibroids turn cancerous?

In almost all cases, fibroids are benign. The risk of fibroids turning into cancer is less than 1%. If fibroids grow in size rapidly, doctors may consider that there is a risk for cancer transformation. However, when fibroids are removed for this reason, they are rarely found to be cancerous …

Are there clinical problems associated with fibroids?

The most common problem associated with fibroids is heavier menstrual bleeding. Fibroids may distort the uterine architecture and affect blood flow, causing an increase in bleeding. Other problems associated with fibroids will usually arise if the fibroids are large. Big fibroids can press on the bowels at the back of …

Can PCOS be cured?

PCOS cannot be cured with medication or surgery, but the problems associated with it can be easily treated. For more information about PCOS, including details about PCOS support clinics, see the IVFAustralia website.

How is PCOS treated?

Many women diagnosed with PCOS feel very upset, but there are only really three problems that need to be addressed, and they can all be managed fairly easily. Firstly, irregular cycles may not be good for your health in the long term, but these can be corrected with hormonal treatment, …

How are abnormal Pap smears treated?

If you are found to have cell changes that may lead to cancer, your treatment will depend on the level of changes. CIN I changes have a 50% chance of reverting back to normal, whereas CIN II and III changes are more likely to progress to cancer. This progression, if …

How accurate are Pap smears?

The accuracy rate of Pap smears is about 95%. If cell changes are detected, you will undergo an additional test called colposcopy, which improves the accuracy and identifies the level of your diagnosis – be it CIN I, II or III.

What are the implications of an abnormal Pap test?

An abnormal Pap smear does not necessarily mean that you have signs of cervical cancer. Sometimes, a Pap test is abnormal because you have a minor vaginal infection. There are also three levels of cell changes in the non-cancer range before progression into cervical cancer, classified at CIN I, CIN …