Click on the following link for patient information about abortion/termination of pregnancy at National Women's Health. You must bring a photo ID on Day 1 of your appointment. Failing to do so will result in rescheduling of appointments.

Cervical dysplasia is the growth of abnormal cells around the cervix (entrance to the uterus). Although this condition is not cancer there is a small risk that these cells could become cancerous. Sometimes no treatment is needed as the condition may improve by itself. For more severe dysplasia, treatment involves removing the abnormal cells by freezing, laser therapy (a tiny beam of light) or electrical burning. Whether you have treatment or not, you should have more frequent Pap smears in the future.

A colposcopy is a detailed examination of the cervix (entrance to the uterus) with a specially lit microscope (colposcope). As with a Pap smear, an instrument called a speculum is inserted into the vagina, and then the colposcope is positioned outside the vagina with its light directed on the cervix. A specialist will perform a colposcopy if your Pap smear has shown abnormal or cancerous cells on the cervix. During the colposcopy further samples of tissue (biopsies) are usually removed and examined in the laboratory so the doctor can get a clearer idea of the extent of the abnormal cells. See our website for more information on the Colposcopy Outpatient Service.

The endometrium is the name of the tissue that lines your uterus (womb). For more information please visit the Endometriosis Foundation (a support group for women with endometriosis) website or email them on

The endometrium is the lining of your uterus (womb). Endometrial ablation is the surgical removal or destruction of this lining. There are different methods of destroying the endometrium including electricity, laser therapy or freezing. A specialist performs the operation and it is done through the vagina, so there is no need for the abdomen to be cut open. The endometrium will heal leaving scarring, which usually reduces or stops menstrual periods. In women who have very heavy periods (menorrhagia), an endometrial ablation can be done instead of a hysterectomy as it is an easier procedure than a hysterectomy and is quicker to recover from. Endometrial ablation is only performed in women who no longer wish to have children.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is when female hormones (oestrogen by itself or with progesterone) are given to a woman during or after menopause when the production of oestrogen by the ovaries declines. The hormones can be taken as tablets, implants or skin patches. HRT has become less popular in recent years because a large study in the USA found that long-term use of HRT can increase the risk of some serious diseases, such as breast cancer and blood clots. However, for some women, short-term use of HRT (no more than 3–4 years) can provide relief from symptoms caused by having less oestrogen in their bodies, such as hot flushes and loss of bone density. The risks and benefits of HRT should be thoroughly discussed with a doctor before treatment begins.

A hysterectomy is an operation to remove your uterus (womb). Some types of hysterectomies include the removal of other organs as well, and this will depend on the reason for the operation. A hysterectomy is a treatment for many different diseases and conditions and it can be done through the vagina or through a cut in the abdomen. For more information view the Hysterectomy patient booklet.

This is an operation where the cervix (entrance to the uterus) is dilated and a hysteroscope (small lighted mini telescope) is inserted into the uterus through the vagina and cervix so the specialist can see the inside of the uterus. If no cancer is present, a small spoon-like instrument with a long handle, called a curette, is inserted and the lining of the uterus is scraped off and sent to the laboratory for examination. This procedure can be done under a general (you are asleep) or local (you are awake but the area being investigated is numb) anaesthetic.

Infertility is when couples are unable to conceive a baby after one year of trying, or when the woman has been unable to carry a pregnancy to a live birth. Causes of infertility are varied. There are now many treatments available for infertile couples and, in many cases, these treatments will result in a successful pregnancy. Doctors with a special interest and expertise in this area will usually provide the best opportunity for treatment. Local support groups and societies can be of help during the stressful time of having tests and treatment. Visit our website for more information on infertility and how we can help you.

The letters IUD stand for Intra Uterine Device. “Intrauterine” means “inside the uterus” (womb). An IUD is a small piece of plastic with copper wire wrapped around it. The Family Planning IUD leaflet can be downloaded below. If you live in the ADHB region, you may be eligible for a free IUD. For more information, visit our website. The IUD - Intra Uterine Device (PDF, 456.5 KB) Family Planning leaflet

This is the process of fertilising the woman’s egg with the male’s sperm outside of the woman’s body in the laboratory. This type of treatment is used for many infertile couples. After a successful fertilisation has taken place, the embryos (fertilised eggs) are watched closely until they have developed to an appropriate stage and then they are inserted through the vagina and placed into the uterus (womb). A pregnancy test will be performed about 10 days later to see if a pregnancy is progressing. For more information on IVF, visit our National Women's Health website.

Menopause is also called the “change of life” and is the time when your periods will become irregular and stop. This is a natural process in all women and for most it will occur between the ages of 45 and 55 years. Menopause is brought on by decreasing levels of the hormone oestrogen and this can cause a variety of symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, sleeping problems, memory problems, depression and vaginal dryness. Some women do not notice any symptoms or they are very mild, whereas others experience more severe problems and should go to their doctor for advice. There are many treatments available to reduce the symptoms associated with menopause and, in some cases, lifestyle changes can also help.

Menstruation is the medical name for your monthly period. This is when blood and tissue from the lining of the uterus (womb) is shed through the vagina and out of the body. Menstruation starts at puberty and it is stimulated by hormones that make a girl’s body able to become pregnant. This usually happens anytime between the ages of 9 and 16 years. Menstruation will recur about every 28 days (the menstrual cycle), unless interrupted by pregnancy, and will stop at menopause, which occurs at about 50 years of age. There are a number of problems that can occur with menstruation ranging from mild to severe. More than half of all women will have cramps (dysmenorrhoea) during the first day or two of their period. Other problems include very heavy or long periods (menorrhagia) or no periods (amenorrhoea). If pain or bleeding persists see your General Practitioner. You may also find the information leaflet on heavy periods and bleeding inbetween useful.

An oophorectomy is an operation to remove one or both ovaries. It is done for many reasons including ovarian cancer, ovarian cysts or to remove the source of the hormone oestrogen that is produced by the ovaries and can stimulate some cancers. If both ovaries are removed, your periods will stop and you will not be able to have children. Sometimes an oophorectomy is done together with a hysterectomy.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac or pouch in the ovary. In most cases, the cyst grows as a result of ovulation (when the egg is released from the ovary), and it will usually shrink over time. Sometimes, the ovarian cyst may cause pain. The best way to check for an ovarian cyst is by ultrasound examination, and the treatment will depend on how troublesome the symptoms are. Sometimes it is best to leave the cyst alone and just check it regularly with ultrasound. In other cases it may need to be removed by laparoscopic surgery. For more information, read our ovarian cysts patient leaflet.

A Pap smear is a test to check for signs of cancer on the cervix (entrance to the uterus). A doctor will put an instrument called a speculum into the vagina to open it, and then gently wipe or brush a few cells from the cervix to send to the laboratory for testing. A Pap smear can show if cervical cells are going through any changes that happen before cancer grows. It will also show if cancer cells are present. Regular Pap smears make it possible to prevent cancer before it grows, or to pick up the cancer early so that it is more easily cured. A National Cervical Screening Programme aims to provide all New Zealand women with regular smears and recommends that a Pap smear be done every three years between the ages of 20 and 70 years.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that can cause you to have a variety of symptoms, including no periods or irregular periods, increased hair growth on the face and body, acne (pimples) and increased bodyweight. PCOS is also one of the main causes of infertility in women. The ovaries of women with PCOS often contain many small cysts (fluid-filled sacs), but this does not seem to be the cause of the condition. For women who have not reached menopause, the most common treatment is the birth control pill, which will regulate your periods. There are also other medicines that can help control the symptoms.

Many women experience feelings of tension, anger, fatigue and depression just before and during the first days of their menstrual period. This is called premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and is probably caused by the change in hormone levels. In most women with PMS, symptoms will not be severe enough to require treatment, but some will need to discuss their symptoms with a doctor. Sometimes symptoms can be improved by avoiding some types of food, such as coffee and foods high in salt.

Couples presenting with sterilisation reversal requests need to undergo standard scoring to determine their eligibility for publicly funded treatment. Any woman is able to present for assessment for a private sterilisation reversal. It is now often technically possible to have keyhole surgery to reverse female sterilisation.

The most common vaginal infections are yeast infections (also called candidiasis or thrush), trichomoniasis, or bacterial infections (also called bacterial vaginosis). Symptoms of an infection may include irritation, itching, discharge and odour. To make a diagnosis a doctor will usually do a vaginal swab, which involves wiping a type of cotton bud gently across the infected area. The swab is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. There are many medicines that can successfully treat these infections.

Urodynamics Bladder Test This is a test to assess female urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract dysfunction. It helps to provide patients and doctors with an accurate diagnosis. After the diagnosis is established the doctor can advise on recommended treatment. The test is not painful but rather discomforting. Soft, fine tubes are placed into the bladder and back passage to record pressure readings in the bladder throughout the test. The bladder is filled with sterile water. The patient is asked to cough at various stages during the test. At the end of the test the patient is asked to empty her bladder. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the test. Visit the National Women's website for more information on the urodynamics bladder test. Burch Colposuspension This operation requires a transverse incision below the pubic hairline or 3 small incisions of keyhole surgery. Permanent stitches are placed near the neck of the bladder and fixed to the back of the pubic bone. This operation takes about 60 minutes to complete. Most women stay in hospital for 3 days following the Burch colposuspension surgery. Once the woman feels well and can pass urine with no difficulty, she can be discharged. Visit the National Women's website for more information on colposuspension. Anterior Repair (Colporrhaphy) Anterior repair is the most common surgery used for repair of cystocele, which is when the bladder is dropping down onto the front of the vagina, making a weakness or bulge. The weakness or bulge is called cystocele. The prolapsed bladder may not empty properly when passing urine and causes an uncomfortable feeling in the vagina. It also gives a feeling of a full bladder at all times. Visit the National Women's website for more information on anterior repair. Posterior Repair Posterior repair is a surgery used for repair of rectocele. When the rectum is dropping down onto the back of the vagina, making a weakness or bulge, it is called rectocele. The prolapsed rectum may not empty properly and gives an uncomfortable feeling in the vagina. Visit the National Women's website for more information on posterior repair.

Fibroids are benign tumours that grow in the muscle wall of the uterus. They are called leiomyoma or myomas. They are very common, and are detectable in about 30% of woman over the age of 30. Fibroids range in size from tiny to large, and are often in multiples. Fibroids do not always cause a problem and do not always need to be removed. They usually decrease in size after menopause, as they are oestrogen dependent. Fibroid Patient Information.