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Bioidentical hormones – what you need to know

This article explores how many women are looking for alternative treatments to help them cope with their menopausal symptoms. Women may look to their family or friends for advice, but they also look towards other sources of information such as the internet, popular media and even celebrities. The recent movie Sex and the City 2 featured a storyline about a character who relied on a wide array of alternative treatments to manage her menopause symptoms.

Understanding your thyroid

This article explains the two most common thyroid conditions affecting women, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Women are five times more likely than men to experience a thyroid condition at some point in their life. Unfortunately, many women are unaware of the symptoms of thyroid disease so it can be difficult to access effective treatment quickly.

Ditch that diet!

This article explains that diets are notoriously unsuccessful - 95% of people who lose weight by dieting will regain that weight (and then some) within two years. On May 6, we celebrated International No Diet Day; a day to acknowledge that diets just don't work in the long-term. (If you missed it, feel free to have a piece of cake today in belated celebration!)

While having a healthy weight is very important, the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health wants to shift the focus of Australian women from restrictive dieting to a more realistic lifestyle approach. This involves a "small steps" approach to changing your eating and physical activity habits over the long term, rather than restrictive diets in the short term.

Perimenopause: are we there yet?

This article explains the medical definition of menopause - simply when it's been 12 months since your last menstrual period. After that point, a woman is classified as postmenopause. The time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause, when many 40-something women experience fluctuations in their menstrual cycle, PMS-like symptoms (sore breasts, bloating, headaches, mood swings), tiredness, forgetfulness, hot flushes and weight gain. Perimenopause can last anywhere from one to ten years, with the average time being four to six years.

Endometriosis and fertility

This article concerns endometriosis. It affects up to 10 per cent of women of child-bearing age. It is a condition where endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, grows outside the uterus by mistake and attaches to other tissues or organs. Symptoms of endometriosis include heavy, painful or irregular periods, abdominal, back or pelvic pain, bowel or bladder problems, and premenstrual symptoms. For some women, the most distressing symptom is reduced fertility - having endometriosis can make it difficult to get pregnant.

Ovarian Cancer: what you need to know

This article concerns ovarian cancer. It is not a common cancer but it is important that women be aware of this disease so they can identify the early warning signs. Three out of four cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed at an advanced stage and unfortunately, the chances of surviving more than five years are less than 50 per cent. For the one out of four cases that are diagnosed at an early stage, the outlook is exceedingly good with as many as 90 per cent of patients being cured.

Relaxation techniques for health and wellbeing 

This article concerns how many of us experience feelings of stress, anxiety and being overwhelmed. Relaxation doesn’t have to take hours, even just 10 minutes of dedicated relaxation practice is very helpful in promoting a calmer mind and body. Jean Hailes psychologist Dr Mandy Deeks describes some simple relaxation techniques to help in daily life.

When sex is a huge pain – literally  

This article concerns the fact that a surprisingly large number of women experience pain during sex. Apart from the physical impact on their bodies, this also can affect their mental and emotional health, and their relationships. How best to approach the condition and treatments options are discussed.

Prediabetes affects 2 million Australians

This article concerns the fact that one in four Australian adults over the age of 25 has either diabetes or a condition known as "prediabetes". Although less well-known, prediabetes is far more common, affecting twice the number of people as diabetes. We look at what can be done to head off full blown diabetes and improve health.

Sorry honey, I’ve got a headache

This article concerns the most common types of headaches in women, migraines and tension headaches. They are often triggered by emotional or physical stress. We look at the best way to treat them and other specialised medications.  

Pap tests: when did you last have one?

This article concerns a recent study by the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health that revealed 40 per cent of women under the age of 30 are not having regular pap tests. Find out why researcher Dr Mandy Deeks expressed her concern over this result.  

Bone Health for Life

This article concerns bonehealth and we all know that calcium is important for children's growing bones, but what about for older people? What can be done to reduce osteoporosis risks is explored.

UTIs and You

This article concerns the one in three women and one in twenty men who will get a urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetime. The symptoms of a UTI can be painful and distressing. Recognising symptoms, understanding prevention and treatment, as well as when to see your GP are explored.

Endo-what?

Endometriosis is a common and often painful condition affecting up to 10 per cent of women in their menstruating years. Jean Hailes gynaecologist Dr Elizabeth Farrell answers some common questions about endometriosis.

Why diets don't work

This article is one that is always topical. It's about diets and in particular, the reasons why they don't work. Dietitian Dr Cate Lombard gives a brief overview of some of these reasons, including that they are restrictive, offer a quick fix only, encourage ‘all or nothing' thinking, are usually unrealistic, and slow down the body's own natural metabolism.

Solving a wee problem

This article about bladder or bowel control problems (known as incontinence) doesn't just concern older people. Nearly one in five Australians experience incontinence (and the figures for women are even higher, with one in three women who have ever had a baby affected). Many women who have gone through pregnancy, childbirth and/or menopause will know that the effects of incontinence on self esteem, body image, morale, sexuality and overall quality of life can be distressing.  

Be your own best friend

This article is a timely reminder about how to be your own best friend. We are usually good at giving our friends wise counsel when they need it, but women are so often critical of themselves. Once again, psychologist Dr Mandy Deeks offers some advice and practical tips to help women recognise their own achievements, and most of all, be kind to themselves.

Menopause: a partner's perspective

This article is one that is very close to our hearts – it's a different look at menopause, this time a partner's perspective. Our psychologist Dr Mandy Deeks has put these tips together in response to the hundreds of clients who have shared their menopause journeys with her. Dr Deeks' book, Life Begins at Menopause? includes a chapter devoted to men in an effort to help the many partners (and of course in turn this helps the women!) deal with both the physical and emotional effects of menopause.

To obtain a copy of these articles simply complete the form at Monthly Article

Content Updated 18 August 2010