https://www.drrosemcdonnell.com.au/

Dr Rose McDonnell, 318, 25 McCourt Street, Subiaco (2026)

20/03/2026

💡 Did you know? Having a regular period doesn’t always mean you’re ovulating or that fertility is high.

Even if your cycles are predictable, ovulation - the release of an egg - can sometimes vary, and that’s completely normal.

Fertility depends on more than just your period:

1. Egg quality & age – healthy eggs are key, and timing matters.

2. Hormonal balance – thyroid, PCOS, or other factors can affect ovulation but are often manageable.

3. Lifestyle factors – sleep, nutrition, and stress can subtly influence fertility.

The encouraging news? Understanding your unique cycle can help you take proactive steps toward conception and give you clarity, confidence, and hope on your journey.

18/03/2026

This week, we recognise ! Quality sleep is vital for your overall well-being. Sleep affects everything from hormonal balance to mental health, fertility, and heart health.

Let’s highlight 3 important facts about sleep for women:

Fact 1: Women are more likely than men to experience insomnia, especially during hormonal transitions like menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

Fact 2: Poor sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate appetite, stress, and fertility, affecting both short- and long-term health.

Fact 3: Consistent, restorative sleep improves mood, cognitive function, and immune health - supporting women through every stage of life.

Prioritise your rest, listen to your body, and make sleep an essential part of your self-care routine. 🌙💤

14/03/2026

Health professionals should not recommend zero alcohol products to pregnant patients, says Alcohol Think Again.

Zero Alcohol Products (ZAPs) are products designed to mimic the taste and aroma of alcoholic beverages. Other names that ZAPs are labelled include alcohol-free drinks, no alcohol drinks and non-alcoholic drinks.

However, they are not all created equally. Some beverages that claim to be ‘alcohol free’ can still contain up to 0.5% alcohol.

Most commonly ZAPs are produced by a dealcoholisation process which removes alcohol from what would have been an alcoholic product. However, this process doesn’t remove all traces of alcohol.

While 0.5% alcohol may seem insignificant, the key issue is cumulative exposure. Pregnant patients may consume several ZAPs at a time because they believe they’re safe, resulting in ongoing fetal exposure to alcohol across the pregnancy and increasing the risk of harm.

As there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy, it’s recommended women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy avoid ZAPs to reduce the risk of harm. When caring for women who are planning or pregnant you could:

➔ Encourage beverages that are naturally alcohol free, such as fresh home-made fruit juices, soda water, flavoured sparkling waters, or iced teas.
➔ Advise individuals to scrutinise labels, including the ingredient list and nutrition panel. Products labelled “dealcoholised” or “alcohol removed” may still contain residual alcohol and are best avoided.

12/03/2026

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month.

This month, let’s shine a light on some lesser-known aspects of the condition - like its impact on mental health.

Up to 50% of people with endometriosis experience anxiety or depression, often due to chronic pain, fatigue, and delayed diagnosis.

These challenges can affect sleep, work, and relationships, showing why mental health care is so important.

The good news: therapy, support groups, and strategies like mindfulness or gentle movement can help manage stress and improve quality of life. Supporting your mental health is part of caring for yourself—and seeking help is a sign of strength.

11/03/2026

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month 2026 – a time to spotlight a condition that affects 1 in 10 people assigned female at birth, yet many experience years of misdiagnosis or dismissal. 🌸

Here are some lesser-known facts about endometriosis:

‣ It’s not just “bad periods.” Some people experience chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, bladder issues, and digestive discomfort, even outside of menstruation.

‣ Endometriosis can appear in unexpected places, including the lungs, diaphragm, and even the brain, though these cases are rare.

‣ Hormonal treatments aren’t one-size-fits-all. What works for one person may not help another; individualized care is crucial.

‣ Early diagnosis can prevent progression, but on average, it takes 7–10 years to be diagnosed, often after multiple doctor visits.

‣ Infertility affects up to 30–50% of those with endometriosis, making awareness and timely treatment critical.

This March, let’s break the stigma, listen to lived experiences, and support ongoing research.

Knowledge saves time, pain, and lives. 💛

08/03/2026

“Stress is ruining my chances of getting pregnant!” 😣

It’s something I hear a lot from patients - and it’s completely understandable. Trying to conceive can be an emotional rollercoaster, and it’s natural to wonder if stress is holding you back.

Here’s the reality: stress alone is rarely the cause of infertility. While chronic stress can affect your overall health, hormones, and menstrual cycles, it usually isn’t the only factor when conception is delayed.

Fertility is influenced by a combination of things - age, egg and s***m quality, underlying medical conditions, and sometimes unexplained factors.

That said, managing stress is still important. Practices like mindfulness, gentle exercise, counselling, or simply taking breaks from “trying” can support your overall wellbeing - and your fertility journey too. ❤️

Remember: don’t blame yourself. Infertility is rarely caused by a single factor. Seeking professional advice early can make all the difference.

05/03/2026

New here? 👋 Meet Dr. Rose.

Dr. Rose is a Gynaecologist who focuses on advanced pelvic surgery and fertility assessment and treatment.

Before becoming a doctor, Dr Rose was a medical scientist, diving into haematology, microbiology, and biochemistry.

She also holds a Masters in Reproductive Medicine and has extra training in reproductive endocrinology, infertility, and advanced pelvic surgery at King Edward Memorial Hospital Perth.

Passionate about women’s health, she’s here to make sure every woman feels heard, supported, and empowered. 💛

20/02/2026

Fresh vs frozen embryo transfers: what’s the difference?

A fresh transfer occurs in the same cycle as egg collection, before embryos are frozen.

A frozen transfer (FET) happens in a later cycle after embryos have been cryopreserved.

Why many clinics now favour frozen transfers:

• Hormone levels have time to return closer to baseline
• Transfers occuring in a more natural uterine environment likely make the uterine lining more receptive.
• Lower risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)

Frozen embryo transfers typically have a 5-10% higher absolute pregnancy rate compared to fresh transfers. That said, fresh transfers can still be appropriate in certain cases, particularly when hormone levels and response to stimulation are well controlled.

There is no universally “better” option - the choice depends on individual hormone response, medical history, and treatment goals.

16/02/2026

February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on a disease that is often called the “silent cancer” because its symptoms can be vague and easily overlooked.

Ovarian cancer doesn’t always present obvious warning signs. Common symptoms may include persistent bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly when eating, changes in bowel or bladder habits, fatigue, or unexplained weight changes. When these symptoms occur frequently or don’t go away, they shouldn’t be ignored.

There is currently no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer, and routine Pap smears do not detect it. Because of this, many women are diagnosed only after symptoms persist. Risk increases with age, and those with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer—particularly linked to BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations—may have a higher risk. This makes symptom awareness, family history discussions, and informed health conversations especially important.

This month is also about supporting those currently fighting ovarian cancer, honouring survivors, and remembering the women we have lost. By sharing information and increasing awareness, we help empower women with knowledge, encourage earlier conversations, and support ongoing research and advocacy.

Awareness saves lives. 💙

13/02/2026

Endometriosis is staged, but pain is not.

Endometriosis is classified into stages (1–4) based on the location, depth, and extent of endometrial lesions found during surgery. These stages describe disease distribution - not symptom severity.

As a result, someone with Stage 1 endometriosis can experience daily, debilitating pain, while someone with Stage 4 may have minimal or no symptoms. Pain is influenced by factors such as nerve involvement, inflammation, lesion location, organ irritation, and how the nervous system processes chronic pain.

Because of this, endometriosis assessment and treatment should be guided by symptoms and functional impact - not staging alone.

12/02/2026

Sexual Health Week 💬✨ A time to check in.

This week is about pausing, learning, and looking after yourself - and each other.

That might mean booking a check-up, asking a question you’ve been putting off, starting an honest conversation, or challenging myths that don’t serve us.

Sexual health is more than tests. It’s about confidence, connection, consent, communication, emotional wellbeing, and feeling informed and supported at every stage of life.

This year's event runs from Feb 8 to 14... 📆 and the theme? Culture & Connection - recognising that our sexual health is shaped by our communities, cultures, and relationships, and that respectful, inclusive conversations make us all stronger.

Small actions really do make a big difference.

08/02/2026

I’m often asked how cervical screening works in Australia, so here’s a clear breakdown.

If you have a cervix and are aged 25–74, cervical screening is done with an HPV test every 5 years. You can choose to self-collect your vaginal sample or have it collected by a clinician - both options are equally accurate for HPV testing.

Most people (more than 90%) will have not have HPV and won’t need another test for five years. If HPV is detected a follow-up cervical cell test collected by your doctor (if a vaginal sample was previously taken) is needed, and a small percentage will be referred for colposcopy to look more closely at the cervix. This is about prevention and early detection - long before cancer develops.

Screening is safe during pregnancy, can be done more often for people who are immunocompromised, and follow-up after treatment is carefully guided. Care should always be informed, respectful and trauma-aware, with screening options tailored to each person.

👉 If you’re due or overdue for screening, book an appointment or speak to your GP - it’s a simple step that can make a lifelong difference.

Dr Rose McDonnell

20/03/2026

18/03/2026

14/03/2026

12/03/2026

11/03/2026

08/03/2026

05/03/2026

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