Research Trials

The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health is entering an exciting new era of clinical and health services research, led by Dr Helena Teede. A key focus is expanding collaborative research, enabling us  to diversify our research interests.

Upcoming trial for urge (not stress) incontinence

• Does your bladder rule your life?
• Are you sometimes getting caught short?
• Do you go to the toilet often? (more than eight times per day) Are you a female between the ages of 40 and 74?

If you have answered ‘yes’ to these questions we invite you to consider taking part in a research study investigating a new medication for the treatment of overactive bladders.

For more information please contact research nurse Christine Muske on 03 9543 9463 or email your details to  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Jean Hailes Medical Centre for Women in  collaboration with Monash University and Southern  Health

About urge incontinence

Urge incontinence is when the bladder muscle contracts without warning and, if partly full, the bladder is forced to  leak out urine. This explains the sudden ‘urge to go’ and it can be difficult to reach the toilet in time. Incontinence is common, but it can be treated, more effectively managed and often cured.

Resources

For more information on incontinence please log on to www.jeanhailes.org.au or call tollfree on 1800 151 441. You can also try the National Continence Helpline, tollfree on 1800 33 00 66 or www.continence.org.au

Ovarian Health Study

The Ovarian Health Study seeks healthy women, at least five years past their last menstrual period, to  take part in a study to set parameters for a health program for postmenopausal women to check their  ovaries.

Three hundred women have already enrolled, with  another 200  needed by the end of this year. Women who qualify for the study will have a blood test and  a highly sensitive gynaecological ultrasound test of their ovaries on entry into the study, and one year later.

This study is a collaboration between the National Australia Bank Ovarian Research Foundation, Monash University, Prince Henry’s Institute and the  Jean Hailes Foundation for  Women’s Health.

It is funded by the National Australia Bank Ovarian Research Foundation, Diagnostic Systems Laboratories Inc and Inhibin Pty Ltd.Early results already tell us that the study will provide important information for women’s health in  the future.

About the Ovarian Health Study

While there are screening programs to assess the breast or  cervical health of postmenopausal women, little is known about the ovaries of healthy postmenopausal women, as there are currently no assessment programs for disease of the ovaries. This  study will test healthy postmenopausal women.

Resources

For more information about the study log on to www.orcf.com.au or contact (03) 9544 0599.

For information on ovarian cancer log on to www.ovariancancer.net.au or contact 1300 660 334 (toll-free).

Exercise training study for women struggling to manage their weight with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

We are looking for women with PCOS to participate in a  12-week training study.

Are you:

• A premenopausal female aged 18–40 years
• Diagnosed with PCOS
• Not participating in any regular exercise
• A non-smoker

Level of involvement:

• Trial lasts up to six months (during which time no medication for the condition can be taken)
• Two sets of strength tests and two fitness tests
• Two insulin clamps with four muscle biopsies
• Two measures of cardiovascular function)
• Two DEXA and CT scans
• 12 weeks of professionally supervised exercise training (1 x 1 hour session three times a week)

For further information please contact:

Dr Nigel Stepto Department of Physiology Clayton, Vic. 3168 Tel. (03) 9905 2543

Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Background

In Australia seven in 100 women suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. A key feature of  PCOS is an abnormal metabolism, and many women struggle to manage their body weight problem. Women with PCOS often also have irregular periods and fertility problems. They are also at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and potentially heart disease. Exercise training is a well-established lifestyle intervention that is successful at preventing and treating these conditions, but little is known about the role of exercise training for the treatment and management of PCOS.

Resources

For further information on PCOS please log on  to www.jeanhailes.org.au or call tollfree on  1800 151 441 for a free booklet by Diabetes Australia – Victoria.

You can also contact the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association of Australia on (02) 8250 0222, or www.posaa.asn.au

Sue Ismiel Study results

Research is all about finding solid evidence-based answers, but the real value for women across Australia is the translation of that research into practical information.

The Sue Ismiel International Study into Women’s Health and Hormones looked at 1423 Australian women aged 18–75 to  establish a base platform for hormone levels for women at different ages and  stages of life.

These results were published in the very prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association  (JAMA) in July. They showed that a simple hormone blood test for a woman (previously assumed to provide insight into sexual function and to guide treatment for low libido) was in fact not useful, either in further understanding the problem or in  determining how to  treat her condition.

While we may not have a simple test for sexual dysfunction, the Sue Ismiel Study is significant because it has shown just how complex women’s hormones can be. It offers valuable new insights into women’s sexual health and wellbeing – an  area that has not been well researched before.

This study also offers women greater understanding of issues like sexuality, depression and hormones. Through our national education program for women and health professionals we can now develop practical resources and tips to enable women to improve their wellbeing and  quality of life.

If you would like to discuss low libido or desire issues, the  first step is to see your health practitioner to determine the possible contribution of other issues such as depression, thyroid dysfunction, iron  deficiency, relationship issues and  stress.

I’d like to personally thank Sue Ismiel for her foresight and generosity in funding this world-class research. Our partnership has paved the way forward for better wellbeing for Australian women.

Janet Michelmore,
AO Director

What’s new

for women

New health fact sheets

The Jean Hailes Education Unit has just released a  range of easy-to-understand fact sheets on a wide variety of women’s health issues. Eighteen fact sheets are now available and can be ordered by calling tollfree on 1800 151 441 or can be downloaded at www.jeanhailes.org.au.

Please note that fact sheets are free for individuals, with nominal charges to  organisations for multiple copies

.… also in other languages

The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health will soon launch multilingual fact sheets on menopause and midlife health. The fact sheets will be available in eight languages including: Greek, Italian, Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, Bosnian and Tagalog (Filipino).

There is very little up-to-date written material on menopause in other languages. You will be able to download the fact sheets from the Jean  Hailes website. They should be available early in the new  year.

for health professionals

Training reaches out to remote communities

A new pilot project will see up to 30 health professionals across Victoria being trained in women’s health to reach out to remote communities with up-to-date, relevant information for women aged 35+. Once the pilot is complete, we hope to reach out across Australia with a similar training model.

For more information please contact Robyn Metcalfe at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or  tollfree on 1800 151 441.

Strong bones = healthy women

The website – and corresponding CD-ROM – www.bonehealthforlife.org.au are a  source of pride for osteoporosis educator and program manager Nikki McGrath. After all, she has co-produced both resources, which reach out to health professionals and women alike, to provide practical advice to improve bone health and to prevent and manage osteoporosis.

Nikki’s work closely reflects an issue near to her heart. While  working as a nurse she began to experience rheumatoid arthritis, a risk factor for osteoporosis. More recently, she slipped in the bathroom and broke her arm – the result of a heavy fall, not just her brittle bones. With two young children, Nikki balances family and a healthy lifestyle. Here, she chats about her passion for life, work  and family.

What are your passions?

Keeping future generations healthy. I am amazed our children will have a lower life expectancy than we do if the  obesity crisis isn’t controlled. As primary carers, parents can directly impact the food our children eat by  controlling what goes in the pantry.

Why have you chosen women’s health?

Women are fabulous at seeking out health  information, but  sometimes we find it difficult to put theory  into practice. I try to provide practical information so it is  easier for women to make healthier choices.

What are you enthusiastic about?

I love spending time with my family. Our children are five and seven and are like sponges, just absorbing everything they see and hear. While I don’t have the answers to all the ‘why’ questions, being part of their life journey is what it’s all about.

What do you find challenging?

The same old challenge that many women experience – family vs work vs ‘me’ time.

What inspires you at work?

Being a registered nurse, I used to see extremely sick people. Being at the other end of the continuum now, in  a  health promotion role, is  so rewarding. I am so lucky to  have access to the  latest research in women’s health and to  be  able to pass this on to other women.

Resources

The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health has just a few Bone Health for Life CD-ROMs available for  sale for just $10.

Log on to www.jeanhailes.org.au and click on the shopping trolley. There’s more great advice on  bone health from the Jean Hailes website: www.bonehealthforlife.org.au

Hot tips for bone health A balanced diet rich in calcium is the go. Try to have two or three serves of dairy products each day. These could include a glass of low-fat milk, a  tub of low-fat yoghurt or some cheese. Stop smoking. Limit alcohol and caffeine intake. Make sure you get enough vitamin D through sunlight, fortified dairy products, egg yolks, saltwater fish and cod liver oil.
Do some weight-bearing activity, which is any activity that requires the bones to fully support the  body’s weight. Try walking, dancing or tennis. Include strength training, which is working with weights. Be physically active at least 30 minutes each day of  the week.
Hot tips for physical activity Start slowly and progress gradually. Do something you like. Short duration, intense physical activity builds  bone most efficiently. Two short physical activity sessions separated by eight hours are better than one long one. If activity is to be reduced, it is better to reduce the length rather than the number of  sessions per week. Activity that improves posture and balance will help protect from falls. Keep a physical activity diary and schedule your activity in at the start of  each week. Be aware of pain – if it hurts stop doing it.

This resource was developed with the support of the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.

Due to recent changes in Australian privacy laws your permission is required for The Jean Hailes Foundation to continue sending you information about our activities. You will continue to receive information unless you indicate otherwise. If you wish to be removed from our mailing list, or would like to make changes or additions to your contact details, please contact us on 03 9562 6771 (1800 151 441 tollfree).
The Jean Hailes Foundation magazine is designed to be informative and educational. It is not intended that The Jean Hailes Foundation magazine provide specific medical advice or replace advice from your health professional. The Jean Hailes Foundation does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or the use of information or advice) which is provided in this magazine or incorporated into it by reference. Information is provided on the basis that all persons reading the magazine undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. 

Content created December 01, 2005