Introduction Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is described as the descent of one or more of the pelvic organs into the vagina. It can affect any of the compartments of the vagina: anterior (bladder), posterior (bowel) or apical (uterus/cervix or vault…
Introduction ‘Menopause’ is derived from the Greek term for cessation of the last monthly period. The definition is 12 months of absent periods in a woman with a uterus who is not pregnant or not taking hormones that might affect…
Pelvic Pain Physiological pelvic pain with menstruation or childbirth is almost universal, but many women have pelvic pain for other reasons. Pelvic pain can be acute (associated with miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or appendicitis) or it can be chronic, lasting for…
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is defined, for clinical purposes, as bleeding that has an adverse impact on the quality of life of a woman. It may occur alone or with other symptoms. Menstrual blood loss can be…
Introduction Early pregnancy complications are a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and a common cause for women to present to acute gynaecology services. These include miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, and account for over 50,000 hospital admissions in the…
Introduction Subfertility is a condition that affects approximately one in six couples. The cause may be related to a problem with the man, woman or both. In view of the intimate nature of the problem, subfertility is often associated with…
The Menstrual Cycle Overview of the cycle The endometrial cycle results from the growth and shedding of the uterine lining – the endometrium. This cycle, the average duration of which is 28 days, is controlled by the hormones from the…
Introduction Puberty should transform a girl into a fertile woman. Its social importance is so great that any deviation from normality may be the cause of considerable embarrassment and anxiety. This chapter describes normal puberty and outlines the management of…
Introduction In general, history and examination cannot be divided neatly into different specialties, and questions relating to obstetrics and gynaecology should form part of the assessment of any woman presenting to any specialty. There may be embarrassment and recrimination, for…
Introduction A thorough understanding of pelvic anatomy is essential for clinical practice. Not only does it facilitate an understanding of the process of labour, it also allows an appreciation of the mechanisms of sexual function and reproduction, and establishes a…