CONDITIONS

Many women are familiar with the broad range of health issues specific to the female body and the reproductive system.

From the onset of menstruation, often at a very young age, through puberty, sexual matters, childbirth or fertility problems, to menopause and beyond, women live with on-going changes to their body that can, at times, affect their health.

The following list defines some of the conditions that Dr Heron treats regularly – some will be very familiar, and others less well-known:

• Abnormal smears: they don’t always mean cancer 
• Cervical dysplasia: non-cancerous cells growing on the cervix (the entrance to the uterus)
• Endometriosis: tissue from the uterus grows in other parts of the body
• Fibroids: commonly-occurring, non-cancerous growths in the uterus
• Gynaecological cancer: all cancers of the reproductive organs and genitals
• Hormonal problems: a myriad of problems caused by hormonal imbalance
• Infertility: when ‘trying for a baby’ becomes a problem
• Menopause: nature’s ‘change of life’ for older women
• Menstrual problems: the natural cycle that can bring monthly problems
• Ovarian cysts: growths in the ovaries that can disappear on their own – or with surgical help
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a hormone imbalance with a wide range of symptoms 
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS):that ‘just-before-my-period’ feeling…
• Prolapse - bladder or uterus: weak pelvic muscles cause these organs to drop, or bulge, into   the vagina
• Sexual problems: emotional or physical issues blocking a happy sex life
• Urine incontinence: that involuntary ‘leak’ during a sneeze, laugh or cough
• Vaginal infections: common conditions experienced by many women