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Women's Health

No matter what age you are, if you are a woman you have some special care needs. Your clinical team can help you with contraceptive advice, sexual health care, cervical (pap) smears and breast checks, pregnancy planning, pregnancy and postnatal care, counselling, lifestyle health support, incontinence, management of menopause, skin checks and identification and management of osteoporosis.

It can be hard to find time to look after yourself if you are busy with work, family and social commitments. But there are some things you can do to keep your health and risk factors for illness and disease in check...

  • If you are aged between 20 and 70, it is highly recommended to have a cervical smear at the recommended intervals (currently this is ervey 5 years) even if you have had an HPV vaccination
  • Be familiar with your skin so that you can easily identify anything unusual, like a new spot or changes in an old spot
  • Be familiar with your breasts so that you can easily identify any new lumps
  • Reflect on your lifestyle habits, such as your nutrition, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption
  • Reflect on your mental health, especially if you are, or are about to become, a new mother

If you have concerns about any of these, you should make an appointment to see your GP. Your GP can also review your risk factors for heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.

 

MENOPAUSE & WOMEN'S HEALTH CLINIC - with Dr Karyn Forbes

Dr Karyn Forbes runs a dedicated Menopause and Women's Health Clinic at KFP. Karyn is a member of the Australasian Menopause Society and holds a Family Planning Association National Certificate in Reproductive and Sexual Health. She is also a qualified practitioner for IUD (Mirena/Kyleena) and Implanon insertions  (Learn more about Karyn here).

Karyn has a passion for caring for women throughout their lifespan, and in particular during the perimenopause and menopausal transition. She offers a rounded and supportive approach to this stage of midlife health and wellbeing and considers each woman's unique health needs, identifying areas for optimisation and offering tailored and evidence-based treatment goals. Karyn also offers consultations to all women for contraceptive related services, including IUD (Mirena/Kyleena) and Implanon, as well as for sexual health and menstrual concerns.

"I love helping women to feel their best"

Karyn offers dedicated women's health consultations as part of her Menopause and Women's Health Clinic. These consultations are available to new and existing patients and include the following services:

  • Perimenopause and Menopause consultations and evidence-based management options
  • Review of existing health and optimisation of health across the female midlife
  • Contraception advice and management, including IUD (Mirena / Kyleena) advice and insertions
  • Sexual Health
  • Menstrual concerns

 

MENOPAUSE CLINIC

For more information about Dr Karyn's Menopause Clinic please click on the buttons below:

WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?

Menopause refers to the final menstrual period. A woman is considered to be post-menopausal when they have not had a period for 12 months. The average age of menopause is 51, but it can occur naturally between the ages of 45 and 55. For most women, it is a natural process where the ovaries gradually stop functioning and producing hormones required for reproduction. 

You can find some excellent information on Menopause here: Jean Hailes: What is Menopause?

WHAT IS PERIMENOPAUSE?

It takes time for the menopause to happen. Over a period of about 5–10 years, the hormones that control the menstrual cycle start to become imbalanced and slowly reduce. This marks the start of the transition to menopause. 

WHAT SORT OF SYMPTOMS COULD I EXPERIENCE?

Periods may become irregular and sometimes heavier. You may also experience hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, irritability, poor sleep, aching joints, itchy skin, dry vagina, weight gain (typically around the abdomen and breasts) and lowered libido.

Dr Karyn understands the hormonal changes and challenges throughout this time and that each woman's experience is unique. Dr Karyn offers a supportive approach to this stage of midlife health and wellbeing and, where desired, can develop a tailored, evidence-based treatment plan to suit your health goals.

WHAT IF I DON'T GET PERIODS?

For some women, if they have had a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), if they are using a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) or if they have had an ablation, they may not be experiencing a regular menstrual cycle and therefore may not know where they are in their menopausal transition. Dr Karyn will review your symptoms and may suggest some further testing if indicated.

DO I NEED MY HORMONES CHECKED?

Usually not. A blood test may be suggested to further investigate your symptoms if other causes may be indicated. 

WHAT ABOUT HRT (HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY)?

There are some specific situations where Hormone Replacement Therapy may be advised. For most women undergoing natural menopause, the decision to take hormone replacement is a personal one. Each woman's experience of menopause is unique. There are safe and effective treatments available to alleviate symptoms and help you feel your best. Dr Karyn offers an evidence-based approach and tailors treatment plans to the specific needs of each woman.

IS HRT SAFE?

Under construction - information coming!

WHAT ABOUT BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES?

Under construction - information coming!

WOMEN'S HEALTH CLINIC

For more information about Dr Karyn's Women's Health Clinic, please click on the buttons below:

WHAT CONTRACEPTION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Under construction - information coming!

WHAT IS AN IUD?

Under construction - information coming!

HOW TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT IN THE MENOPAUSE OR WOMEN'S HEALTH CLINIC

MAKING AN APPOINTMENT

New patients to KFP and existing patients are welcome to make an appointment with Dr Karyn Forbes in the Menopause Clinic or Women's Health Clinic.

Dr Karyn can provide feedback to your usual GP, if requested, to ensure your care is streamlined and collaborative.

Appointments can be made by:

  • Contacting reception on 4956 0888 to request an appointment in the Menopause or Women's Health Clinic
  • Using our Online Booking Platform via AutoMed Systems and selecting the appointment type that matches your needs

Initial consultations require a 30 minute appointment. Follow-up consultations will be advised by Dr Karyn, if required.

WHAT DOES AN APPOINTMENT COST?

All consultations will attract a private fee.

A standard Initial Consultation (30 minute booking) has an out-of-pocket cost of approximately $167. You will need to pay the full fee of $250 at the conclusion of your initial consultation and we will process your Medicare rebate of approximately $83 directly back onto your debit card (immediate) or into your bank account (allow 48 hours).

IUD insertions cost:

Under construction - information coming!

IUD services require 3 consultations:

  1. Pre-assessment consultation
  2. Insertion procedure
  3. Follow-up consultation

Under construction - information coming!