Women's Health topics
Womens health A-Z
Read our selection of articles about women's health, including health problems such as eating disorders, endometriosis and cystitis.
Acupuncture promising for infertility in PCOS
Acupuncture may be useful in combating infertility among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Australian research suggests.
Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis - a common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge - is caused by an imbalance in the natural bacteria in the vagina.
Breasts: inside women's breasts
An internal view shows that the breast is made up of fat, nipple, glands and a network of ducts.
Calcium pill trend blamed for rise of milk-alkali syndrome
A largely forgotten disorder that can cause kidney failure is having a resurgence because of growing use of calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Cancer risk higher for tall women
Cancer risk in women is related to height with taller women at greater risk, the UK Million Women Study shows.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a serious and common sexually transmitted disease, but it often causes no symptoms.
Cystitis
Cystitis symptoms include a need to pass urine frequently and pain or burning when passing urine. Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) will affect one in every 3 women at some time in their lives.
Cystitis overview
Cystitis is an infection or inflammation of the bladder. Find out about the causes, symptoms and treatment for cystitis.
Cystitis: bladder infection
All you need to know about what causes cystitis, a common bladder infection.
Diabetes: work stress a possible risk factor in women
Work stress may be an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes among women, researchers say.
Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse comes in many forms and is more common than is generally appreciated. Help is available for victims and perpetrators.
Eating disorders
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are 2 main forms of eating disorders. These illnesses mainly affect young females.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial tissue, normally found inside the uterus, is found outside the uterus.
Endometriosis: fast facts
Facts on endometriosis and its symptoms - a medical condition caused by escaped tissue from the womb lining lodging in the body cavity.
Endometriosis: trans fats increase risk
Dietary fats may be linked to endometriosis, although the impact appears to vary greatly according to the type of fat most commonly consumed.
Faecal incontinence common in community
Faecal incontinence may affect as many as one in 5 adult women in the community, according to Australian research.
Female reproductive organs
A summary of how the female reproductive organs work.
Fibroids
Fibroids are benign growths in the uterus. Symptoms may include changes in periods, such as cramps; heavier or more frequent periods or bleeding at times other than menstruation; pain in the lower back, abdomen or during sex; and constipation.
Heart disease: women significantly underestimate risk
Many women remain unaware that heart disease is the leading cause of death among females, research reveals.
Hirsutism in women
Find out about the causes and treatments for hirsutism in women - the problem of having too much hair on the face or body.
Hysterectomy link to early menopause
Hysterectomy can double the risk of early menopause even when the ovaries remain, and triple the risk if one ovary is removed, a study suggests.
Iron and your body
Iron deficiency can be due to inadequate amounts of iron in the diet and body stores, or to insufficient numbers of blood cells - anaemia.
Lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is an uncommon cause of vulval itch that occurs mainly after the menopause, and can be treated with steroid creams.
Menstrual cycle: normal
The menstrual cycle is generally thought of in 4 main phases: the menses, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal (secretory) phase.
Oral thrush
Thrush can develop anywhere in the body, but one of the more common areas is the mouth.
Pelvic floor muscle exercises
Find out about the causes and symptoms of a weak pelvic floor, and how performing pelvic floor muscle exercises can help.
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) refers to an infection caused by bacteria or other micro-organisms such as Chlamydia.
Pink Lady 'herbal' sex pills a health risk
Pink Lady herbal sex pills contain prescription medicine tadalafil and may pose a health risk, the TGA warns.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal condition in which the ovaries are enlarged and contain many small cysts.
Prolapsed uterus
The uterus is prolapsed when it drops down from its normal position; this is most common after menopause and may cause no symptoms. If troublesome, treatments include a pessary or surgery.
Smoking poses higher heart risk for women
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease more in women than it does in men, a landmark study of 2.4 million people has found.
Thrush
Thrush is an infection with a yeast (fungus) Candida albicans, typically in the vagina or mouth.
Toxic shock syndrome
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but serious illness caused by some types of the bacterium Staphylococcus and often associated with tampon use.
TV time linked with depression in women
Women who watched TV for 21 hours or more per week had 13 per cent higher risk of depression than those who watched less than an hour, a study has found.
Urinary incontinence explained
Urinary incontinence is involuntary leakage of urine caused by poor bladder control. Find out about the causes and treatments available.
Urinary incontinence: tips
If you are experiencing symptoms of urinary incontinence some of these suggestions may help.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infection occurs when part of the urinary tract becomes infected, usually with bacteria. Common symptoms include burning feeling when passing urine, wanting to urinate more often and urgently, and only passing a few drops of urine.
Vaginal thrush
Itching around the vagina is commonly caused by infection with a yeast called Candida albicans and is known as thrush. Find out the symptoms, treatment and prevention of vaginal thrush.
Varicose veins
Varicose veins (twisted, swollen veins) in the legs are a common problem. Find out about the causes, symptoms and treatment for varicose veins.
Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of pelvic floor disorders
Vitamin D deficiency may put women at higher risk of incontinence and pelvic floor disorders, a study suggests.
Vulval problems
Vulval discomfort or pain is common and can interfere with a woman's self image and sexual function as well as cause distress.
Vulval problems: a self-help guide
The aim of this guide is to demystify vulval problems by offering an alternative to the current ways of explaining and treating these conditions.
World Continence Week
In World Continence Week, the Continence Foundation of Australia and its branches organise activities to raise awareness of bladder and bowel health.
Acupuncture may be useful in combating infertility among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Australian research suggests.
Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis - a common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge - is caused by an imbalance in the natural bacteria in the vagina.
Breasts: inside women's breasts
An internal view shows that the breast is made up of fat, nipple, glands and a network of ducts.
Calcium pill trend blamed for rise of milk-alkali syndrome
A largely forgotten disorder that can cause kidney failure is having a resurgence because of growing use of calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Cancer risk higher for tall women
Cancer risk in women is related to height with taller women at greater risk, the UK Million Women Study shows.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a serious and common sexually transmitted disease, but it often causes no symptoms.
Cystitis
Cystitis symptoms include a need to pass urine frequently and pain or burning when passing urine. Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) will affect one in every 3 women at some time in their lives.
Cystitis overview
Cystitis is an infection or inflammation of the bladder. Find out about the causes, symptoms and treatment for cystitis.
Cystitis: bladder infection
All you need to know about what causes cystitis, a common bladder infection.
Diabetes: work stress a possible risk factor in women
Work stress may be an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes among women, researchers say.
Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse comes in many forms and is more common than is generally appreciated. Help is available for victims and perpetrators.
Eating disorders
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are 2 main forms of eating disorders. These illnesses mainly affect young females.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial tissue, normally found inside the uterus, is found outside the uterus.
Endometriosis: fast facts
Facts on endometriosis and its symptoms - a medical condition caused by escaped tissue from the womb lining lodging in the body cavity.
Endometriosis: trans fats increase risk
Dietary fats may be linked to endometriosis, although the impact appears to vary greatly according to the type of fat most commonly consumed.
Faecal incontinence common in community
Faecal incontinence may affect as many as one in 5 adult women in the community, according to Australian research.
Female reproductive organs
A summary of how the female reproductive organs work.
Fibroids
Fibroids are benign growths in the uterus. Symptoms may include changes in periods, such as cramps; heavier or more frequent periods or bleeding at times other than menstruation; pain in the lower back, abdomen or during sex; and constipation.
Heart disease: women significantly underestimate risk
Many women remain unaware that heart disease is the leading cause of death among females, research reveals.
Hirsutism in women
Find out about the causes and treatments for hirsutism in women - the problem of having too much hair on the face or body.
Hysterectomy link to early menopause
Hysterectomy can double the risk of early menopause even when the ovaries remain, and triple the risk if one ovary is removed, a study suggests.
Iron and your body
Iron deficiency can be due to inadequate amounts of iron in the diet and body stores, or to insufficient numbers of blood cells - anaemia.
Lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is an uncommon cause of vulval itch that occurs mainly after the menopause, and can be treated with steroid creams.
Menstrual cycle: normal
The menstrual cycle is generally thought of in 4 main phases: the menses, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal (secretory) phase.
Oral thrush
Thrush can develop anywhere in the body, but one of the more common areas is the mouth.
Pelvic floor muscle exercises
Find out about the causes and symptoms of a weak pelvic floor, and how performing pelvic floor muscle exercises can help.
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) refers to an infection caused by bacteria or other micro-organisms such as Chlamydia.
Pink Lady 'herbal' sex pills a health risk
Pink Lady herbal sex pills contain prescription medicine tadalafil and may pose a health risk, the TGA warns.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal condition in which the ovaries are enlarged and contain many small cysts.
Prolapsed uterus
The uterus is prolapsed when it drops down from its normal position; this is most common after menopause and may cause no symptoms. If troublesome, treatments include a pessary or surgery.
Smoking poses higher heart risk for women
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease more in women than it does in men, a landmark study of 2.4 million people has found.
Thrush
Thrush is an infection with a yeast (fungus) Candida albicans, typically in the vagina or mouth.
Toxic shock syndrome
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but serious illness caused by some types of the bacterium Staphylococcus and often associated with tampon use.
TV time linked with depression in women
Women who watched TV for 21 hours or more per week had 13 per cent higher risk of depression than those who watched less than an hour, a study has found.
Urinary incontinence explained
Urinary incontinence is involuntary leakage of urine caused by poor bladder control. Find out about the causes and treatments available.
Urinary incontinence: tips
If you are experiencing symptoms of urinary incontinence some of these suggestions may help.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infection occurs when part of the urinary tract becomes infected, usually with bacteria. Common symptoms include burning feeling when passing urine, wanting to urinate more often and urgently, and only passing a few drops of urine.
Vaginal thrush
Itching around the vagina is commonly caused by infection with a yeast called Candida albicans and is known as thrush. Find out the symptoms, treatment and prevention of vaginal thrush.
Varicose veins
Varicose veins (twisted, swollen veins) in the legs are a common problem. Find out about the causes, symptoms and treatment for varicose veins.
Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of pelvic floor disorders
Vitamin D deficiency may put women at higher risk of incontinence and pelvic floor disorders, a study suggests.
Vulval problems
Vulval discomfort or pain is common and can interfere with a woman's self image and sexual function as well as cause distress.
Vulval problems: a self-help guide
The aim of this guide is to demystify vulval problems by offering an alternative to the current ways of explaining and treating these conditions.
World Continence Week
In World Continence Week, the Continence Foundation of Australia and its branches organise activities to raise awareness of bladder and bowel health.
