The roles and expectations of women have significantly increased over the past decades. Women have very particular health care concerns and preventative health screening, and it can often be a struggle to fit it in between the juggling of other everyday tasks. On top of everyday health, women also may have additional health and well-being challenges such as menstrual issues, pregnancies (planned or unplanned), finding the right contraception, continence issues, carer stress, and many more.

At Edgeworth Family Practice, we will do our best to support you with your healthcare needs while encouraging a healthy work/life balance. Our experienced GP’s and Nurses have systems in place to remind you when your screening and other important appointments are due. We are here to assist you with any health concerns with a focus on your overall health and well-being.

We have a part-time Nurse with an Accredited Certificate in Reproductive and Sexual Health who can assist you with all of your concerns, including the insertion and removal of contraceptive implants. For more information, see our contraception tab.

TIPS FOR PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN

• If you are well, book a check-up at least every 12 months. A BP check, blood test and skin check are a great idea as they can highlight risk factors or early signs of a whole range of health issues.
• If you are sexually active, book an appointment with our Sexual and Reproductive Health Nurse annually for a routine STI check.
• Get vaccinated! Influenza, Tetanus, Diptheria & Pertussis (whooping cough), Hepatitis B and Measles, Mumps & Rubella should be checked for currency as many people are not aware of their immunity status.
• Practice body awareness – know your body well so you can easily detect changes and report changes promptly to your doctor or Nurse. Examples of things to check include:
  • That you don’t have any changes to your skin (click here for information on how to check your skin)
  • Ensuring your breasts do not develop any new lumps or changes (click here for information on self-breast checks)
  • Checking that your bowel habits are consistent and reporting any changes promptly
  • That you are urinating normally, without a burning sensation or pain, bleeding and flow (stopping/starting)
  • Are you having any vaginal symptoms that do not seem normal for you? Are you post-menopausal and have started bleeding? Is your menstrual bleeding heavy or irregular, or are you having a great deal of pain when you menstruate? Do you have any lumps, discharge or other symptoms that do not seem quite right?
  • Check in with yourself emotionally – are you coping well?
• Health Assessments – Bulk billed comprehensive health assessments are available annually to women who are Indigenous or >75 years old, or a once off assessment between the ages of 45 and 49.

If you have any health concerns you would like to discuss, book to see one of our Doctors or Nurses now.

Useful links for Women

• Menopause information sheets
• How to check your breasts
• Menstruation cycle (Periods) factsheet
• Menstruation problems factsheet
• Crisis support and suicide prevention
• Women’s Mental Health
• Domestic & Family Violence
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Sexual Assault
• Contraceptive options – FPNSW what suits me
• Parenting and custody disputes
• How to check your skin
• Bowel cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Uterine (Endometrial) cancer