Menstruation (periods)

Menstruation happens about once a month. Learn more about the menstrual cycle, what causes your period and health problems related to periods.

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Period problems

Suffering from heavy, painful or irregular periods? Does PMS affect your wellbeing? Learn about common period problems and how to cope.

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Hormonal medicines and periods

Some forms of hormonal contraception (for example the oral contraceptive pill, IUD coil, and injection) may affect your menstrual cycle.

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Managing period pain

Period pain (dysmenorrhoea) is common but can stop some women from enjoying their normal activities. Here are some ways to manage painful periods.

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Female reproductive system

The female reproductive system involves organs such as the uterus (womb), ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina, as well as hormones.

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Irregular periods

The length of your cycle may change by the month, but if your period is suddenly very different, you should see your doctor.

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Puberty for girls

Learn about the complex physical and emotional changes a girl experiences in adolescence as she becomes a young woman.

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Thermal balloon endometrial ablation

Thermal balloon endometrial ablation is an operation that uses a balloon filled with hot water to remove the lining of your uterus (womb) to reduce or stop periods.

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Radio-frequency endometrial ablation

A radio-frequency endometrial ablation is an operation that uses radio-frequency energy to remove the lining of your uterus (womb). Usually this is done to reduce or stop periods.

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Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation

An endometrial ablation is a common gynaecological operation. It helps relieve the symptoms of heavy periods. You should get less bleeding and pain.

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Bleeding between periods

Vaginal bleeding between periods is not unusual, but should be checked by your doctor if it happens more than once or twice.

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Periods while breastfeeding

Many factors determine when your period will return when you're breastfeeding. Learn more about how breastfeeding affects your menstrual cycle.

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Heavy periods

Your periods are heavy if you're using more tampons or pads than usual. Here's what you can do for heavy periods, starting with a doctor's visit.

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Women don't need to 'put up' with heavy periods

Heavy menstrual bleeding affects 1 in 4 Australian women, but treatment is available. There's no need to suffer in silence.

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Vaginal bleeding

Vaginal bleeding isn't always related to menstruation. It can also be caused by infection or injury.

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Painful periods

Painful periods are most common in young women, and the pain tends to ease as women get older. Learn more about the symptoms and treatments.

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Toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) occurs when a bacteria releases toxins into the body’s bloodstream. It's very rare but has been associated with tampon use.

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Adrenal glands

The adrenal glands are two endocrine glands sitting on top of each kidney. They form part of the body's hormonal system. They produce several hormones that are involved in controlling your blood pressure, metabolism and your body's response to stress.

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Dilatation and curettage

Dilatation (also known as dilation) and curettage is a process which scrapes tissue from the inside of the womb, used to diagnose and treat conditions and after a miscarriage.

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Von Willebrand disease

People with von Willebrand disease have trouble controlling their bleeding because a blood clotting factor is either absent, low or defective.

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Haemophilia

Haemophilia stops blood from clotting properly, causing abnormal bleeding. It’s best managed by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals.

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Colposcopy

A colposcopy is a minor procedure to examine the health of a woman’s cervix. It may include a biopsy to examine tissue.

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Anaemia

Anaemia is a lack of red blood cells. These cells are important because they carry oxygen from the lungs around the body. Learn here why it's important to find and treat the cause of the anaemia.

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Endocrine glands and their hormones

The hormone system is the way in which one part of the body tells another part of the body to do something important. Find out more about different parts of the hormonal system.

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Laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy

Subtotal hysterectomies are operations to remove part of the uterus (womb). Usually a subtotal hysterectomy is carried out to help with heavy or painful periods, and fibroids.

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Anorexia nervosa

People with anorexia nervosa have an irrational fear of gaining weight and put themselves on restrictive diets and harsh, punishing exercise routines.

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Cold sores

Cold sores are blister-like spots that appear in or around the mouth. Find out about prevention, common triggers, treatment and self-care options.

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Personal hygiene

Good personal hygiene is important and will prevent you and your children from picking up or spreading germs and infectious diseases. Take these steps to avoid getting sick.

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Vegetarian and vegan diets

It's easy to be healthy on a vegetarian diet if you include plant-based foods from the 5 food groups. But a vegan diet requires extra care.

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Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus also grows outside the uterus. It can be painful, but treatment is available.

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