Dr Tava Gynaecology

16/09/2025

This September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month in New Zealand.

Gynaecological cancers are cancers that start in parts of the female reproductive system, including:
• cervical cancer
• ovarian cancer
• uterus cancer
• vulval cancer
• va**nal cancers

Like the rest of your body, the female reproductive organs are made of tiny 'building blocks' called cells.

Gynaecological cancers begin when these cells grow abnormally.

The symptoms will depend on where the cancer is, but signs and symptoms may include:
• unusual va**nal bleeding or discharge, especially after menopause
• pain in your tummy (abdomen)
• pain during s*x
• itchy skin around the opening to the va**na
• difficulty peeing (passing urine)
• changes in toilet habits

Having these symptoms does not mean you have cancer, but it is important to get any changes checked by your doctor.

If you would like to speak to Dr Tava, email info@drtava.co.nz or call 0212214183.

Dr Tava is dedicated to a high standard of care in women's health.

03/09/2025

September is Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month in New Zealand. PCOS is a hormonal condition that can cause a range of symptoms.

Symptoms may include:
• Period problems occur in about 7 in 10 women with PCOS. You may have irregular or light periods, or no periods at all.
• Fertility problems - you need to ovulate to become pregnant. You may not ovulate each month. Some women with PCOS do not ovulate at all. PCOS is one of the most common causes of not being able to get pregnant (infertility).
• Excess hair growth (hirsutism) occurs in more than half of women with PCOS. It is mainly on the face, lower tummy (abdomen) and chest. This does not happen to all women with PCOS.
• Acne may persist beyond the normal teenage years.
• Thinning of scalp hair occurs in some cases.

Tests may be advised to clarify the diagnosis and to rule out other hormone conditions.
• Blood tests may be taken to measure certain chemicals (hormones). For example, a test to measure the male hormone testosterone and luteinising hormone (LH) which tend to be high in women with PCOS.
• An ultrasound scan of the ovaries may be advised. An ultrasound scan is a painless test that uses sound waves to create images of structures in the body. The scan can detect the typical appearance of PCOS with the many small cysts (follicles) in slightly enlarged ovaries.

The condition is diagnosed when a person has at least two of the following :
• At least 12 tiny cysts (follicles) develop in your ovaries. (Polycystic means many cysts.)
• The balance of hormones that you make in the ovaries is altered. In particular, your ovaries make more than normal of the male hormone testosterone.
• You do not ovulate each month. Some women do not ovulate at all. In PCOS, although the ovaries usually have many follicles, they do not develop fully and so ovulation often does not occur. If you do not ovulate then you may not have a period.

If you would like to book an appointment with Dr Tava, please email info@drtava.co.nz or call 0212214183.

Dr Tava is dedicated to a high standard of care in women's health.

22/08/2025

What are the stages of the menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle is a natural process. It's a complex cycle controlled by female hormones that cause regular bleeding (periods). The menstrual cycle has four phases: menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase.

The menstrual cycle prepares your body for pregnancy. If you are not pregnant, your hormones send a signal to your uterus to shed its lining. This becomes your period. Once you start your period, the cycle starts again.

A menstrual cycle is measured from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period. The average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 to 29 days, but every woman’s cycle is different.

1. Menstruation - commonly known as a period. When you menstruate, your uterus lining sheds and flows out of your va**na. Your period contains blood, mucus and some cells from the lining of your uterus. The average length of a period is three to seven days.

2. The follicular phase - starts on the first day of your period and lasts for 13 to 14 days, ending in ovulation. The pituitary gland in the brain releases a hormone to stimulate the production of follicles on the surface of an o***y. Usually, only one follicle will mature into an egg. This can happen from day 10 of your cycle. During this phase, your uterus lining also thickens in preparation for pregnancy.

3. Ovulation - when a mature egg is released from an o***y and moves along a fallopian tube towards your uterus. This usually happens once each month, about two weeks before your next period. Ovulation can last from 16 to 32 hours.

4. The luteal phase - after ovulation, cells in the o***y (the corpus luteum), release progesterone and a small amount of oestrogen. This causes the lining of the uterus to thicken in preparation for pregnancy.

If you would like to book an appointment with Dr Tava, please email info@drtava.co.nz or call 0212214183.

www.drtava.co.nz

10/08/2025

Te Wiki Hauora Wāhine - Women's Health Week is here! It's a fantastic reminder for all wāhine in Aotearoa to prioritise their health.

At Dr Tava Gynaecology, we are committed to supporting you on your health journey. From general gynaecology care to specialised treatments for conditions like endometriosis, pelvic pain and heavy periods, we are here to provide the care and guidance you need.

Take this week to book that overdue check-up, ask those hard questions and put your health first. Your wellbeing matters, not just for you, but for your whānau and community too.

Learn more about our services at www.drtava.co.nz and find more resources at www.womenshealthweek.nz

Dr Tava is dedicated to a high standard of care in women's health.

16/07/2025

Giving birth can be transformative, but for some, it can be traumatic.
This Birth Trauma Awareness Week, know that your feelings are valid. You are not alone, and help is available.
Reach out to Birth Trauma Aotearoa at www.birthtraumaaotearoa.org.nz – your journey to healing matters.

Dr Tava is dedicated to a high standard of care in women's health.

02/07/2025

This July is Fibroid Awareness Month.

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus. They can vary greatly in size, ranging from pea-sized to much larger. While many women don't experience any symptoms, fibroids can sometimes cause problems like:
• Heavy or painful periods
• Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
• Frequent urination or constipation
• Pain during in*******se
• Difficulty getting pregnant

There are four main types of fibroids, each with a different location within the uterus:

• Intramural Fibroids: These are the most common type of fibroids. They develop in the uterine wall and expand.

• Pedunculated Fibroids: These grow on stalks or stems. The stems are attached to the uterine wall and can grow either outside the uterus or inside the uterine cavity.

• Subserosal Fibroids: These develop in the outer portion of the uterus and continue to grow outward.

• Submucosal Fibroids: These are the least common type of fibroids. They develop within the uterine cavity and can cause excessive and prolonged menstrual bleeding.

The exact cause of fibroids is unknown, but they are sensitive to oestrogen and progesterone, the female hormones made in the o***y. They tend to grow during pregnancy (when hormone levels are high) and shrink after menopause (when hormone levels drop).

If you would like to arrange an appointment with Dr Tava, email info@drtava.co.nz or call 0212214183.

www.drtava.co.nz/contact

Dr Tava is dedicated to a high standard of care in women's health.

11/06/2025

Are you looking for a gynaecologist in Waikato?

Dr Tava Mudzamiri trained in the United Kingdom as a specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. On completion of training in the UK he worked in Scotland with a special interest in advanced laparoscopic surgery. This has driven his passion as a gynaecologist looking after women with diverse conditions as menstrual disorders, endometriosis, pelvic pain and gynaecological cancer.

As an advanced laparoscopic surgeon, he believes that the key to a successful outcome for women is to provide the right treatment for the right woman at the right time. He has a broad private and public practice covering obstetrics, advanced benign gynaecology surgery, endometriosis surgery, vulval and va**nal surgery and minimal invasive surgery.

Dr Tava is a member of the and the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE). He's the past Clinical Director for Gynaecology at Waikato Hospital and a educational supervisor. He has a strong interest in surgical education leading training workshops and courses in New Zealand and has presented at national and international meetings. This has driven his desire to see the improvement of Women’s Health in Hamilton. After working as a consultant for 6 years in the United Kingdom his family moved to New Zealand in 2017. They moved to New Zealand for its beautiful welcoming atmosphere and fell in love with its family friendly lifestyle.

Dr Tava is based at Anglesea Surgical Centre, 56 Tristam Street, Hamilton Central and Pohlen Hospital in Matamata.

At Dr Tava Gynaecology we are dedicated to a high standard of care in women's health. Meet the team by visiting our website: www.drtava.co.nz

05/06/2025

This June is Infertility Awareness Month.

Infertility is defined as not being able to become pregnant (conceive) after 1 year of trying, or not being able to carry pregnancies to a live birth.

Approximately 1 in 4 New Zealanders experience infertility and 1 in 8 require some form of medical assistance to achieve a pregnancy.

Infertility can be a female factor, a male factor, a combination of female and male factors or unexplained.

Some of the best ways to deal with infertility are to be informed and to talk about it. This is not always easy or comfortable. If you are dealing with infertility, you might find it helpful to:

• talk to friends and whānau who are supportive
• see a counsellor to talk through your feelings and options
• talk to someone else who has been through what you are going through and who understands

Fertility New Zealand provides assistance for people with fertility issues, visit their website online here: www.fertilitynz.org.nz

Dr Tava is dedicated to a high standard of care in women's health.

22/05/2025

What is a Laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy is commonly called ‘keyhole surgery'. It's a procedure in which a surgical telescope and video camera are passed through a small cut ‘keyhole‘ in the abdomen, usually in the umbilicus (belly button).

Carbon dioxide gas is used to gently inflate your abdomen during laparoscopy to enable your gynaecologist to see your pelvic organs. This allows your gynaecologist to look at and operate on the pelvis and abdomen organs. Instruments can be passed through one or more other small cuts in the wall of the abdomen.

The cuts are usually about a centimetre long, so the gynaecologist can perform operations without the need for a large cut.

Laparoscopy and keyhole surgical techniques give patients a number of important advantages:
• more rapid recovery
• reduced pain
• smaller scars

If you want to arrange an appointment with Dr Tava, please call 0212214183 or email info@drtava.co.nz.

www.drtava.co.nz/contact

Dr Tava Mudzamiri specialises in women’s health in Waikato, offering services in obstetrics and gynaecology.

14/05/2025

WEBINAR: Male Factor Infertility – Have You Registered Yet?
📉 Did you know s***m counts in “normal” men have halved over the last 50 years?

Join us at 8 pm on Tuesday, 20 May for an eye-opening and informative session on Male Factor Infertility with Dr Amir Zarrabi, a leading expert in the field.

Whether you're just starting your fertility journey or supporting someone who is, this webinar is packed with insights that matter.

🔗 https://fertilitynz.clickmeeting.com/male-factor-infertility/register.

06/05/2025

May is Pelvic Pain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shedding light on the significant issue of pelvic pain, particularly among women. This observance is crucial as pelvic pain is a common yet often misunderstood condition that can severely impact a woman’s quality of life, affecting her physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.

Pelvic pain is pain that you feel in your lower abdomen or pelvis. Pain is described as ‘chronic’ if it occurs all or some of the time for more than 6 months. Chronic pelvic pain is a description of the symptoms you are experiencing. It is common and affects around 1 in 6 women.

Chronic pelvic pain is usually caused by a combination of physical, psychological and/or social factors rather than a single underlying condition, although for many women a cause cannot be found.

Possible causes may include:
• Endometriosis and Adenomyosis
• Interstitial Cystitis
• Trapped or damaged nerves in the pelvic area
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Symptoms may include:
• Pain with in*******se
• Urinary urgency, frequency
• Pain with urinating, and/or urinary leakage
• Abdominal bloating, gastrointestinal distress, and constipation
• Burning, itching, aching or other types of pain in pelvic region

What tests might be offered?
• screening tests for pelvic infections (including s*xually transmitted infections)
• an ultrasound scan – this may be a transva**nal scan of your pelvis, which involves gently inserting an ultrasound probe into your va**na
• an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan of your pelvis.

You may also be offered a Laparoscopy, particularly if your doctor thinks you may have Endometriosis, adhesions or pelvic infection.

If you're concerned about pelvic pain and want to speak to Dr Tava, email info@drtava.co.nz or call 0212214183.

Dr Tava is dedicated to a high standard of care in women's health.

15/04/2025

A friendly reminder that we will be closed from 5 pm on Thursday 17th April to 9 am on Tuesday 22nd April.

For urgent matters, please contact 021 221 4183.

Wishing you a Happy Easter weekend!

Dr Tava is dedicated to a high standard of care in women's health.