^ Back to Top

Gynaecology and urinary tract disorders (female)

Gynaecological cancers – follow-up and surveillance

Follow-up and surveillance of patients who have undergone curative-intent treatment for gynaecological cancer is an opportunity... View Article

May 2023

Vaginal cancer – early detection and referral

Vaginal cancer is the least common type of gynaecological cancer in New Zealand with an average of 17 females newly diagnosed... View Article

April 2023

Vulval cancer – early detection and referral

Vulval cancer is a rare gynaecological cancer in New Zealand, with an average of 52 females newly diagnosed each year (from 2015... View Article

April 2023

Endometrial cancer – early detection and referral

Uterine cancer is the most prevalent gynaecological cancer in New Zealand, with an average of 627 females newly diagnosed each... View Article

March 2023

Ovarian cancer – early detection and referral

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynaecological cancer in New Zealand after endometrial cancer, with an average of 371... View Article

February 2023

Cervical cancer – early detection and referral

The risk of cervical cancer is significantly reduced through HPV vaccination and cervical screening programmes, however, there... View Article

October 2022

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) – an overview of lower UTI management in adults

Lower urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common community-acquired infections, with more than half of all females... View Article

December 2021

Endometriosis: diagnosis and management

Endometriosis is characterised by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity, causing mainly cyclical... View Article

February 2021

Menopausal hormone therapy: where are we now?

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is an effective treatment for symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flushes, night... View Article

December 2019

National report: Prescribing menopausal hormone therapy

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the most effective treatment for the vasomotor symptoms (i.e. hot flushes and night sweats)... View Article

December 2019

Diagnosing and managing primary ovarian insufficiency

Primary ovarian insufficiency is the loss of ovarian function before age 40 years, resulting in menstrual irregularities and menopausal... View Article

December 2019

Investigating and managing abnormal vaginal bleeding: an overview

Abnormal vaginal bleeding has many potential causes, ranging from anovulatory cycles to malignancy. The type of bleeding, e.g.... View Article

December 2019

Oestradiol patches now fully subsidised: what is their place in the treatment of menopausal symptoms?

Transdermal oestradiol patches are now fully subsidised, without the need for Special Authority approval, for the treatment of... View Article

November 2016

An update on the use of nitrofurantoin in patients with renal impairment

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom (UK) have updated their guidance to allow... View Article

October 2015

Chronic pelvic pain in women

Chronic pelvic pain can cause significant disruption to the lives of the women it affects. It can arise not only from pathology... View Article

September 2015

A pragmatic guide to asymptomatic bacteriuria and testing for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in people aged over 65 years

Asymptomatic bacteriuria and urinary tract infections (UTIs) frequently occur in people aged over 65 years. Bacteriuria in older... View Article

July 2015

Vulvovaginal health in post-menopausal women

Age-related changes in women can result in an increased occurrence of vulvovaginal dermatological conditions such as vulval dermatitis... View Article

September 2014

Managing patients with renal colic in primary care: Know when to hold them

Approximately one in ten people will be affected by renal colic at some stage in their life. Patients with red flags should be... View Article

April 2014

Urinary incontinence in adults

Managing urinary incontinence goes beyond just treating the medical condition. For the patient, the social and psychological impact... View Article

October 2013

How to increase the uptake of cervical screening: A profile of success

A cervical smear test is an effective method for the early detection of cervical cancer, and for reducing cancer mortality. However,... View Article

October 2013

Health literacy plays an important role in boosting cervical screening uptake

Susan Reid and Carla White from health literacy and communication specialists, Workbase, explain how understanding and reducing... View Article

October 2013

Cervical Screening – Are we reaching our targets?

There are approximately 180 new diagnoses of cervical cancer in New Zealand each year. Having regular cervical smears can reduce... View Article

October 2013

Interpreting urine dipstick tests in adults: a reference guide for primary care

A urine dipstick positive for haematuria or proteinuria is a relatively common occurrence in primary care. For many patients there... View Article

June 2013

A “how-to guide” for a sexual health check-up

Good sexual health is about achieving both physical and psychological wellbeing, free from disease, coercion or abuse. Reaching... View Article

April 2013

The pharmacological management of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition in which endometrial tissue is present outside the uterine cavity, causing cyclic... View Article

April 2013

Reproductive hormones: The right test, at the right time, for the right patient

Understanding the physiology of reproductive hormones, recognising pathology and knowing what tests to order, when to order them... View Article

February 2013

Managing urinary tract infections in children

Although relatively uncommon in children, urinary tract infection (UTI) should be considered when assessing a young child with... View Article

May 2012

The HPV vaccination programme: addressing low uptake

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was added to the national immunisation schedule in 2008 for females aged 12 years. The... View Article

April 2012

Vulvovaginal health in premenopausal women

Symptoms relating to the vulvovaginal area such as abnormal discharge, itch and pain are common, particularly for women of reproductive... View Article

December 2011

Appropriate ordering of urine cultures in older people

Looks at the rate of testing by age and in comparison to treatment in older people. View Article

July 2011

Norfloxacin Prescribing Update

Looks at Norfloxacin prescribing for urinary tract infections. View Article

May 2011

Managing urinary tract infections in pregnancy

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur commonly during pregnancy. UTIs are managed more aggressively in pregnant women than in... View Article

April 2011

Overcoming barriers to cervical screening in Pacific women

Cervical screening rates in New Zealand have continued to increase following the introduction of the National Cervical Screening... View Article

November 2010

Selected topics in Women’s health

Laboratory investigation of amenorrhoea | Polycystic ovary syndrome | An overview of dysfunctional uterine bleeding | Perimenopause... View Article

September 2010

Quinolone prescribing

Data report on quinolone prescribing, national data only. View Article

July 2010

Cervical Screening in New Zealand

Liquid-based cytology (LBC) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing have recently been adopted to aid with the collection, diagnosis... View Article

October 2009

Cervical smears - achieving equity

After the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Programme, rates of cervical screening increased and the overall incidence... View Article

September 2009

Lets talk about sex

There are many reasons why sexual health is not discussed during a general practice consultation, such as lack of time and possible... View Article

April 2009

Treatment of sexually transmitted and other genital infections

A summary of pharmacological treatment and management of common sexually transmitted and other genital infections including chlamydia,... View Article

April 2009

Sexually transmitted infections - what testing is needed and when?

This article provides an overview of some infections affecting the genital area, including some non-sexually transmitted infections.... View Article

March 2009

Testing for STIs - four case scenarios

A series of four case studies that illustrate the importance of patient history and background when testing for STIs. View Article

March 2009

Sexually transmitted infections in New Zealand

Chlamydia remains the most commonly diagnosed STI in New Zealand, according to the annual STI Surveillance Report. Although not... View Article

February 2009

Gardasil vaccine: Update

Gardasil vaccine has now been added to the National Immunisation Schedule. In this article we outline the eligibility criteria... View Article

December 2008

Imiquimod cream (Aldara) for genital warts and basal cell carcinoma

Imiquimod enhances the immune response to viral infections and tumours by stimulating the immune system to release interferon... View Article

September 2008

The investigation and management of nocturnal enuresis

Nocturnal enuresis, or bedwetting, is a common condition which children usually grow out of. Advice to parents on simple behavioural... View Article

June 2008

Hormone replacement therapy: Latest evidence and treatment recommendations

The use of HRT is associated with an increased risk of stroke, venous thromboembolism, gall bladder disease, breast cancer and... View Article

April 2008

HPV vaccines: An overview

Dr Nikki Turner is the Director of the Immunisation Advisory Centre. Here she provides us with an overview of the two currently... View Article

April 2008

Understanding polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by a varied and often complex array of metabolic and endocrine abnormalities... View Article

April 2008

Dear Dave


• Breakthrough Bleeding
• Camphor in Pregnancy
View Article

December 2007

Dear Dave

Does the "seven day rule" still apply with the concomitant use of combined oral contraceptives and all antibiotics? Serotonin... View Article

September 2007

Dear Dave

Is there an association between the use of the combined oral contraceptive and Vitamin B12 deficiency View Article

April 2007

Laboratory investigation of UTI

For up to date recommendations for antibiotic choice for UTI, refer to the Antibiotics Guide . This resource focuses on the... View Article

July 2006