Health Topics

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that can develop in pregnant women. Women with pre-eclampsia have high blood pressure and protein in their urine. Pre-eclampsia can cause eclampsia (fits) and other serious problems.

A hysterectomy is a commonly performed operation to remove the uterus (womb).

A colposcopy is an examination of your cervix (the neck of your womb) using a special instrument called a colposcope.

During the menstrual cycle the lining of the womb, known as the endometrium, gradually thickens and fills with blood as it prepares for the arrival of a fertilised egg. If the egg is not fertilised, the womb lining breaks down and is lost as the monthly period. Sometimes small pieces of endometrium grow on organs outside the uterus. This is called endometriosis.

Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths of the muscle of the uterus (womb).

A hysteroscopy is an examination of the inside of your womb (uterus) using a telescope called a hysteroscope.

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs (pockets) that can occur inside or on the surface of the ovaries (the two small organs that produce eggs (ova) in women).

Polycystic ovaries are small cysts - fluid-filled sacs - on the surface of the ovaries. Some women may also have additional symptoms such as excessive body hair (hirsutism), obesity, infrequent or absent periods and infertility. These are related to hormone-related imbalances and the condition is known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Itchiness, soreness and a vaginal discharge can be signs of infection. However, it is quite normal and healthy for women of childbearing age to have a vaginal discharge.

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb, most often in one of the fallopian tubes. It's not possible for pregnancy to survive outside the womb and immediate treatment may be needed.