Kāpiti Women's Health

03/11/2024

There was a great turn out today at the Kapiti Women's Expo. It was lovely to chat with those women brave enough to say hello ;) and meet other business owners providing great services in our community - thanks for having me 🥰

30/10/2024

To celebrate International Menopause Day, this leaflet was published to help you learn about the 5W's of Menopausal Hormone Therapy - Who, What, When, Why and Where

https://www.menopause.org.au/images/docs/wmd/2024-WMD-Leaflet_English.pdf

30/10/2024

What a privilege to be able to travel to Melbourne to listen to clinicians passionate about menopause from all round the globe, be educated and upskilled on all the latest research and catch up/meet wonderful wahine working in this area too.. and maybe a spot of shopping too .... ;)

29/07/2024

🌸 Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life - and every woman experiences it differently. 🌸

The hormonal changes that happen during menopause can cause several different symptoms.

Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with menopause:

♦️ Hot flushes: Sudden feelings of intense heat that spreads over the whole body, which can occur at any time 🔥

♦️ Night sweats: Excessive sweating during the night that can disrupt sleep 💦

♦️ Problems sleeping: Difficulty falling or staying asleep is common, often related to night sweats or other hormonal changes 💤

♦️ Joint pain: Hormonal changes can lead to discomfort and pain in the joints 🦴

♦️ Tiredness: Persistent fatigue can occur, even with adequate rest 😴

♦️ Anxiety or mood changes: Hormonal fluctuations can lead to emotional changes, including irritability and anxiety 🌦

♦️ Vaginal dryness: Decreased estrogen levels can cause va**nal dryness, itch and discomfort during in*******se 🌸

♦️ Overactive bladder or bladder discomfort: Increased frequency of urination or discomfort in the bladder area is common during menopause 🚻

The menopause transition can be uncomfortable for some women, but there is a range of treatments that can help. If you are experiencing unwelcome symptoms, make sure to chat through your options with your doctor. 🌺

🩺 We’re here to help 🩺

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, contact us at Kāpiti Women’s Health for an appointment. We can help you develop a management plan.

**naldryness

A specialist GP clinic on the Kāpiti Coast dedicated to the provision of expert women's health care. We offer personalised consultations for women of all ages in a welcoming environment and are trained in a range of specialist procedures such as IUD and implant insertions, Pipelle biopsies and Ring

22/07/2024

🌺 Menopause brings about lots of changes to a woman’s body. 🌺

Many are driven by hormonal changes. 🌸

One significant change is a decline in oestrogen levels. ⤵️

Oestrogen plays an important role in lots of different body functions, including keeping the va**nal tissues healthy. 💖

🌸 Oestrogen maintains the thickness, elasticity, and lubrication of va**nal walls. 🌸
As menopause approaches, the ovaries produce less oestrogen, leading to changes in the va**nal tissues. This hormonal shift results in va**nal atrophy - where the va**nal walls become thinner, drier, and inflammed. Blood flow to the va**nal area also decreases, adding to dryness and discomfort.

🌷Vaginal atrophy can cause:

• Vaginal dryness
• Itching
• A burning sensation around the va**na and v***a
• Pain during s*x
• More frequent urinary tract infections
• Pain when passing urine
• Vaginal discharge

Understanding that va**nal atrophy is due to hormonal changes during menopause can help make sense of the condition. 🌹

🌺 It’s important to know that these symptoms are common and treatable. Solutions range from lifestyle changes to va**nal moisturisers to medical treatments like va**nal oestrogen therapy and menopause hormone therapy. 🧴

🩺 We’re here to help 🩺

If you have symptoms of va**nal atrophy, contact us at Kāpiti Women’s Health for an appointment. We can discuss your symptoms and help you develop a management plan.

**naldryness

A specialist GP clinic on the Kāpiti Coast dedicated to the provision of expert women's health care. We offer personalised consultations for women of all ages in a welcoming environment and are trained in a range of specialist procedures such as IUD and implant insertions, Pipelle biopsies and Ring

21/07/2024

Exercise after child birth....

Are you put off running because of fear of leaking when you jog or run? This is something that is quite common in women who have had children. Often women don't do physical activity because of this fear.

But while it is common, in most cases something can be done about it. That something usually involves treating the pelvic floor and strengthening it!

But it doesn't need to put you off running or triathlon! Here are some tips to help you walk/jog/run that can go along side with a pelvic floor rehab programme and advice from your women's health physio (such as ):
🔸 do your walk/jog/run in the morning when your pelvic floor is fresh (your pelvic floor, just like you, gets tired as the day goes on)
🔸 include some pre-run quick contractions in your warm up routine.
🔸 Hills are your friend! Run or walk up them to get your heart rate up without the impact. This also builds great leg strength!
🔸 But walk downhills for less impact (running downhills is very high impact)
🔸 Work with trainers and coaches who are skilled in women's health

Share this post around with other mums and start your journey for the 2025 KWT!

📸Jeff Mein Smith & Donna Jennings

16/07/2024

🌼 Treatment Options for Stress Incontinence in Women 🌼

Stress incontinence is the most common type of urinary incontinence in women.
Stress incontinence is when someone has an involuntary leakage of urine during activities such as sneezing or jumping.

Last week we talked a bit about what stress incontinence is and why it happens. Scroll back to learn more about the basics.

🌻 So what are the treatment options for stress incontinence? 🌻

〰️ Pelvic Floor Exercises: Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles is the first line of defence against stress incontinence. Regularly performing pelvic exercises can significantly improve bladder control.

〰️ Lifestyle Changes: Maintaining a healthy weight, reducing caffeine and alcohol, and quitting smoking can help manage symptoms. These changes reduce pressure on the bladder and reduce bladder irritation.

〰️ Bladder Training: This involves gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits to improve your bladder capacity and control.

〰️ Medications: In some cases, doctors may prescribe medications to help strengthen the muscles around the urethra or improve bladder function.

〰️ Pessary: A va**nal pessary is a device inserted into the va**na to support the bladder and reduce leakage. It can be particularly helpful for women with pelvic organ prolapse (scroll back a few posts to learn more about this!).

〰️ Surgery: If other treatments are not effective, surgical options such as a sling procedure can provide support to the urethra and improve symptoms.

🌼Everyone is unique. Some treatments may work better for you than others. 🌼

If you have symptoms of stress incontinence, see a healthcare professional. Managing stress incontinence is possible, and these treatments can help improve your quality of life.

🌺 We’re here to help 🌺

If you think you may be experiencing urinary incontinence, contact us at Kāpiti Women’s Health for an appointment. We can discuss your symptoms and help you develop a management plan.

A specialist GP clinic on the Kāpiti Coast dedicated to the provision of expert women's health care. We offer personalised consultations for women of all ages in a welcoming environment and are trained in a range of specialist procedures such as IUD and implant insertions, Pipelle biopsies and Ring

08/07/2024

🌼 Have you heard about stress incontinence? 🌼
Stress incontinence is the most common type of urinary incontinence affecting women.

Stress incontinence is when there is an involuntary leakage of urine. This happens because of pressure on the bladder like in the image above.

It commonly happens during activities that increase the pressure in the abdomen, such as:
〰️laughing
〰️sneezing
〰️coughing
〰️exercising.

Stress incontinence can have a significant impact on someone's daily life and confidence.

🌻 What exactly causes stress incontinence? 🌻
Stress incontinence often occurs due to weakened pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support the bladder and urethra (where the urine comes out from).

Weakening of the pelvic floor can happen due to a number of factors, such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.

🌼 Could I have stress incontinence? 🌼
Recognising the symptoms of stress incontinence is the first step toward managing it. If you find yourself experiencing urine leaks during physical activities, it may be due to stress incontinence.

While this can be frustrating and sometimes embarrassing, it’s important to remember that it’s a common condition affecting many women.

🌻 Can I do anything to prevent stress incontinence? 🌻
Stress incontinence is manageable. Pop back next week when we will talk about the treatment options available for stress incontinence.

🌺 We’re here to help 🌺
If you think you may be experiencing urinary incontinence, contact us at Kāpiti Women’s Health for an appointment. We can discuss your symptoms and help you develop a management plan.

A specialist GP clinic on the Kāpiti Coast dedicated to the provision of expert women's health care. We offer personalised consultations for women of all ages in a welcoming environment and are trained in a range of specialist procedures such as IUD and implant insertions, Pipelle biopsies and Ring

02/07/2024

🌺 How well do you know your V***a? 🌺

🌸 Have you ever checked to see what it looks like? 🌸

Here is a simple exercise you can do today to get to know yourself better.

🌷 Regular self-checks can help you notice early signs of changes, including things like infections, skin rashes and possible cancers, so you can get it checked by a doctor as quickly as possible.
Let’s walk through the process of performing a self-check of your v***a.

1️⃣ Prepare
- Find a private, comfortable space with good lighting, like your bedroom or bathroom.
- Grab a small mirror and a torch.
- Wash your hands.

2️⃣ Get comfy
- Sit on a chair or the floor with your legs slightly apart and knees bent.
- Prop one leg up on a stool or the bath if that’s easier.

3️⃣ Explore
- Hold the mirror and gently spread your l***a (the outer and inner lips).
- Examine the entire v***a, including the p***c area, l***a majora and minora, cl****al hood and va**nal opening.
- Note the look of your v***a, including skin colour, texture, and any natural asymmetry.

4️⃣ Check for Changes
- Look and feel for lumps, bumps, sores, colour changes, swelling, persistent itching, pain, or unusual discharge.
- Don’t forget to check your groin area for lumps or bumps.

*️⃣ Know When to Seek Medical Advice
- See your doctor if you notice anything out of the ordinary during your self-check or if you have worries about anything.

❣️ Regular self-checks of the v***a should be an important part of your health routine. By familiarising yourself with your body and noting any changes, you can take proactive steps toward maintaining your health and well-being.

🌺 We’re here to help 🌺
If you find something during your self-check that you’re not sure about - contact us at Kāpiti Women’s Health for an appointment.

📷 Photo by Antonius Ferret (from Pexels).

***alcare ***alhealth ***alcancer ***a

A specialist GP clinic on the Kāpiti Coast dedicated to the provision of expert women's health care. We offer personalised consultations for women of all ages in a welcoming environment and are trained in a range of specialist procedures such as IUD and implant insertions, Pipelle biopsies and Ring

24/06/2024

🌸 V***al Skin Care: Helpful Tips for Every Woman 🌸

The term "v***a" refers to all the external parts of the female ge****ls.

This sensitive area can be affected by infections and inflammation, leading to symptoms like:
♦️itching
♦️sensitivity
♦️discharge.

Maintaining a good v***al skincare routine can help keep this area healthy and comfortable. Here are some helpful research-based tips:

🌹Washing
- Avoid soaps and bubble baths; these can cause irritation.
- Washing once a day is sufficient; over-washing can lead to dryness and irritation.
- Use your hands and warm water to wash your v***a; loofahs and sponges can scratch the skin.
- Pat the area dry with a soft towel; avoid rubbing.

🌹Avoid Irritants
The v***al skin can be easily irritated by everyday products. Avoid using soap, bubble baths, shower gels, talcum powder, cleansing wipes, perfumes, deodorants, antiseptics, coloured toilet paper, and fragranced washing powders and fabric conditioners.

🌹Clothing
- Wear loose-fitting 100% cotton underwear and avoid spending too much time in tight-fitting clothes like tights, jeans, or leggings.
- After exercise if you’ve worn tight leggings, change out of them as quickly as possible.
- Try sleeping without underwear.

A little care goes a long way in maintaining the health and comfort of your v***al skin. These simple tips can help keep the area healthy and comfortable.

🌺 We’re here to help 🌺
If you experience symptoms like itching, pain, or irritation around your v***a - there may be a treatment that can help. Contact us at Kāpiti Women’s Health for an appointment. We're here to discuss your symptoms and explore the best treatment options for you.

***alhealth ***alcare

18/06/2024

🌸 Pessaries: What You Need to Know! 🌸

Let’s dive into something that isn’t often spoken about but is a really important and useful management option for prolapse… Pessaries!

First off, what is prolapse? 👉🏼 If you swipe back to my last post, you’ll see an image of what prolapse looks like.

Prolapse happens when organs like the bladder, uterus, or re**um slip out of place, often due to weakened pelvic muscles. It can cause discomfort, pressure and urinary issues.

🌹But guess what? There’s a simple, non-surgical solution.. that’s right - it’s the pessary!

Here’s a few things to know:

♦️What is a pessary?
A pessary is a silicone or rubber device inserted into the va**na to support these organs. Think of it as a soft, flexible ring or cube that holds everything in place.

♦️What does a pessary look like?
Pessaries come in various shapes and sizes (see the photo above). Your doctor will find the right pessary for you.

♦️How is it inserted?
Inserting a pessary is a pretty straightforward procedure. It can be done in a doctor’s office, and you can head right back to your daily activities afterwards.

♦️What happens afterwards?
Regular check-ups and cleanings are essential to keep it working well and to prevent infections.

♦️How effective is a pessary?
Studies show that pessaries can significantly improve the lives of those with prolapse by reducing their symptoms and discomfort. Plus, they’re perfect for women who want to avoid or delay surgery or for those who are considering having more children.

🌺 We’re here to help 🌺
If you are experiencing prolapse symptoms - a pessary might be a great option for you. Contact us at Kāpiti Women’s Health for an appointment. We're here to discuss your symptoms and explore the best treatment options for you.

13/06/2024

If you are affected by the HRT/MHT patch shortage and have some time, please fill in this survey so my colleagues can help advocate for you