Women's Health Action - Publications - WHIS - Women's Health Information Service

fact sheets – information packs – pamphlets

a complete resource order booklet is available from Women's Health Action. Email them for a copy.

Fact Sheets are available on

Breast implants updated May 2005
Coming off Hormone Replacement Therapy - updated 2002 - online version available here
Cystitis NEW AND UPDATED
Depo-provera (for health workers)
Depo-provera (abridged)
Endometriosis
Frequently asked Questions on Hormone Replacement Therapy - online version available here
Hysterectomy NEW AND UPDATED 1999
IUCDs
Liposuction
Mirena (Fact Sheet June 2005)
Oral Contraceptives and Blood Clots online version available here
Osteoporosis - are you at risk? - online version available here
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - June 2005
Premenstrual Syndrome
Roaccutane (for health workers)
Roaccutane (abridged version)
Suggestions for Good Health at Mid-life and the Relief of Common Symptoms at Menopause online version available here
Tamoxifen NEW AND UPDATED
Uterine Fibroids

Cost: $NZ 50c per page, minimum $1.00 and available NZ only.

Information packs

For minimal cost we pack together the latest findings and research on a topics relating to women's health issues.

Packs are available now on:

Breast Implants; Caesarean Section; Hysterectomy;
Lichen Sclerosus; Menopause; Mirena; Natural Progesterone; Phyto-oestrogens;
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Pre-Menstrual Syndrome; Vulval Pain

Breast Implants

Breast Implants (Fact Sheet May 2005)
Breast Implants: Information for women considering breast implants UK Department of Health’s booklet
Local complications and Reoperations “Breast Implant Consumer Handbook 2004.” American Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Specific Issues to Consider “Breast Implant Consumer Handbook 2004.” American Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Breast Implants: A travesty of technology (Women’s Health WATCH 2005)
Breastfeeding and Breast Implants

Updated August 2005

Caesarean Section

Caesarean Section (Fact Sheet June 2005)
Recovery After a Caesarean Section (Fact Sheet June 2005)
Caesarean Section or Vaginal Birth – What difference does it make? (AIMS Journal 2002)
Caesarean Birth and VBAC (ICEA Position Statement and Review 2002)
Caesarean Section for Maternal Choice? (Midwifery Matters Spring 2002)
Recovery After Caesarean (booklet)
Do obstetric complications explain high caesarean section rates among women over 30? A retrospective analysis (BMJ 2001)
Choosing caesarean section (The Lancet November 2000)
Increase in caesarean sections may reflect medical control not women’s choice (BMJ November 1999)
Mother Care: Canadian Birth Professionals article
Breastfeeding After a Caesarean

Updated August 2005

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy pamphlet – Women’s Healthlink
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (WHA pamphlet August 2001)
Hysterectomy (Fact Sheet March 2005)
Vaginal Hysterectomy (Hospital Medicine January 2001)
Limit hysterectomy to valid indications (Prescribe International Feb 1997)
Hysterectomy and Sexuality (Women’s Health Queensland Wide 1998)
If You Absolutely Need a Hysterectomy (A Gynaecologist’s Second Opinion by William H. Parker )

Updated August 2005

Lichen Sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus - J Powell, F Wonjnarowska
Lichen sclerosus - National Women's Hospital
Lichensclerosus - C Ridley

Menopause

Good health
1. 1. Heart Health (pamphlet)
2. 2. Move it or lose it (pamphlet)
3. 3. Suggestions for Good Health at Midlife and the Relief of Common Symptoms at Menopause (Fact Sheet 2002)
Relief of menopause symptoms and osteoporosis
1. Help for Hot Flushes (pamphlet)
2. Vaginal Dryness (Fact Sheet, August 2003)
3. Osteoporosis – are you at risk? (Fact Sheet 2005)
4. Flyer for Gill Sanson’s book Midlife Energy and Happiness
HRT
1. Worried abut HRT? (leaflet)
2. HRT (pamphlet April 2004))
3. Frequently Asked Questions on HRT (Fact Sheet 2002)
4. Coming off HRT (Fact Sheet 2002)
5. Natural Hormones (Fact Sheet 2005)
6. Menopausal HRT and Risk of Ovarian Cancer (JAMA 2002 abstract)
7. The Truth about Hormones (Time July 2002)

Prepared with the assistance of a grant from JR McKenzie. Updatd August 2005

MIRENA

Mirena (Fact Sheet June 2005)
The Contraception Report: The Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System. Patient Update October 2001
Mirena Intrauterine System (IUS) Women’s Health UK
Research abstracts on Mirena 2002/2003
Some Consumer Feedback on Mirena

Updated August 2005

Natural Progesterone - includes

Some Basic Information on Natural Progesterone
Treating PMS without Side Effects
Menopause Corner - Natural Progesterone
Natural Progesterone - Help or Hyde?
The Progesterone Revolution
Progesterone vs. Progestins
Is Natural Progesterone the Missing Link in Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment?
Osteoporosis Reversal with Transdermal Progesterone
Natural progesterone cream improves the vasomotor symptoms of the menopause - Abstract

Phyto-oestrogens - includes

Is there a proven place for phytoestrogens in the menopause
The effect of Promensil, an isoflavone extract, on menopausal symptoms
Randomized placebo-controlled trial of an isoflavone supplement and menopausal symptoms in women
Phytoestrogens: Epidemiology and a Possible Role in Cancer Protection
Case-control study of phyto-oestrogens and breast cancer
Phyto-oestrogens and Western Diseases
A review of phytoestrogens and their effects in relation to menopausal symptoms
Phytoestrogens: 'Wonder Drugs' or Not?
Phytoestrogens May Help in Menopause Symptoms
Estrogenic Soybean Isoflavones and Chronic Disease
Soy Still Under Scrutiny
Better Than Vitamins
Woman Does Live by Bread Alone
Possible Tofu Link to Alzheimer's Disease
Does the Estrogen Source Reall~Make a Difference
Naturally Occurring Non-Steroidal Estrogens of Dietary Origin
Foods Rich in Phyto-Oestrogens
Statement By the Committee on The Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (Fact Sheet June 2005)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Verity April 2005)
When Hormones Run Riot (NEXT magazine February 2005)
Treatment of Insulin Resistance, the cause of PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (Continuing Medical Education, NZ Family Planning April 2005)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Leaven April-May 2005)

Updated August 2005

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome - pamphlet
You got a problem with that?
P M S - National Women's Hospital PMS clinic pamphlet
Pre-Menstrual Tension
PMS: The premenstrual syndrome
Not All In The Mind: A Look At Premenstrual Syndrome

Vulval Pain - includes:

Vulvodynia - An Overview: Including Questions and Answers
Deconstructing vulval pain
Vulvodynia - Inside Medicine Report 4. Vulvodynia- Diagnostic Patterns

Contact Women's Health Action for cost and orders

Pamphlets

Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT

Free in New Zealand, o'seas please contact WHA. Prepared April 2004

New Information about hormone repacement Therapy or HRT
What is HRT?
Menopause
A snapshot of the Women's Health Initiative study
How long is it safe to use HRT?
How to come off HRT?
Breast cancer and mammography
Vaginal dryness
Recommendations about HRT from the New Zealand Guidelines Group
Other information about HRT
Alternatives for hot flushes
Key Points
To keep healthy at mid-life
For more information

Cervical Screening: A Guide for Women in New Zealand

This detailed booklet about Cervical Screening is available from the National Screening Unit and their website at www.healthywomen.org.nz

Introduction
Section One - Having a cervical smear test
What is cervical screening?
How often should you have a cervical smear test?
Benefits of three-yearly cervical screening
When should you have cervical smear tests more often?
Who should have cervical smear tests?
Where do you go for cervical smear tests?
Where can you find a female cervical smear taker?
Having a cervical smear test if you are disabled
How much will a cervical smear test cost?
When should you have a cervical smear test?
How is a cervical smear test done?
How do you know when your next cervical smear test is due?
When and how will you get the results of your cervical smear tests?
How effective is a cervical smear test?
Testing of cervical smear samples
Results of cervical smear tests
What does an abnormal result mean?
Colposcopy
Treatment for abnormal cervical cells
Section Two - Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer
What causes cervical cell changes and cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer in New Zealand

Section Three - The National Cervical Screening Programme
The National Cervical Screening Programme
The National Cervical Screening Programme Register
How can you tell if the National Cervical Screening Programme is working well?
Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights
How do you make a complaint about any part of the programme?
Privacy Code
Glossary

Ultrasound booklet Ultrasound scans during pregnancy
Cost $NZ1.00+p&p not available o'seas unless in bulk purchase
Includes

What is ultrasound?
When is routine ultrasound screening carried out?
What is ultrasound used for?
- Routine Screening
- Social Uses of Ultrasound
- Medical Uses of Ultrasound
- Fetal Nuchal Translucency (NT) Screening
Benefits of ultrasound
Concerns about ultrasound
Ultrasound scans during pregnancy
Ethical concerns about ultrasound
Women's reactions to ultrasound
What the experts say about routine ultrasound
Useful contact groups

References used for Ultrasound pamphlet:

Murray Enkin et al. A guide to effective care in pregnancy and childbirth. 3rd edition. Oxford University Press 2000. Page 55.
RM Snijders et al. “UK multicentre project on assessment of risk of trisomy 21 by maternal age & fetal nuchal translucency thickness at 10-14 weeks of gestation.” British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 1998. 352(9125):343-6.
S Cicero et al. “Likelihood ratio for trisomy 21 in fetuses with absent nasal bone at the 11-14-week scan.” Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2004. Volume 23 Issue 3, pages 218-223.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. “Routine ultrasound screening in pregnancy.” Protocol, standards and training. London RCOG Press 2000.
SP Chauhan et al. “Limitations of Clinical and Sonographic Estimates of Birthweight: Experience with 1034 Parturients.” Obstetrics and Gynaecology 1998. Vol 91. No 1. 72-77.
L Bricker & JP Neilson. “Routine ultrasound in late pregnancy (after 24 weeks gestation).” The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006. Issue 1.
L Bricker & JP Neilson. “Routine Doppler ultrasound in pregnancy.” The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006. Issue 1.
L Bricker et al. “Ultrasound screening in pregnancy: a systematic review of the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and women’s views.” Health Technology Assessment 2000; Vol. 4: No 16: 1-193.
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. “Diagnostic Ultrasound Safety.” A summary of the technical report Exposure Criteria for Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound: II. Criteria Based on all Known Mechanisms 2002.
Safety Group of the British Medical Ultrasound Society. “Statement on the safe use, and potential hazards, of diagnostic ultrasound.” October 2002.

Vitamin K
does my new baby need it?
Information for parents

Cost $NZ1.00+p&p not available o'seas unless in bulk purchase
Includes

Vitamin K - does my new baby need it?
IT'S YOUR CHOICE
What is Vitamin K?
What is Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB)?
Which babies are at risk of VKDB?
What about Vitamin K in breast milk?
What about Vitamin K in infant formula milk?
So why give extra Vitamin K to babies?
How is Vitamin K given?
Is Vitamin K safe?
Vitamin K by mouth or injection?
WHat about natural alternatives?
Signs of VKDB
What NZ Health Professionals recommend
Key Points

References for Vitamin K pamphlet:

Marcia L. Buck. “Vitamin K for the Prevention of Bleeding in Newborns.” Pediatric Pharmacotherapy. Vol 7 No 10 October 2001.
Sara Wickham. “Vitamin K – An Alternative Perspective.” AIMS Journal Vol 13. No 2 Summer 2001
LG Israels, ED Israels. “Observation on vitamin K deficiency in the fetus and newborn: has nature made a mistake?” Semin Thromb Hemost 1995:21:357-63.
Lachlan Smith. “Intramuscular vitamin K in the newborn and childhood cancer – a literature review of evidence for best practice.” NZMSJ. March 2004; 20-23.
Committee on Fetus and Newborn, Policy Statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Controversies Concerning Vitamin K and the Newborn.” Pediatrics Vol 112 No.1 July 2003.
National Women’s Newborn Services Clinical Guideline – Vitamin K. www.adhb.govt.nz/newborn/Guidelines?Blood/VitaminK.htm Accessed 2 February 2006.
E Hey. “Vitamin K – what, why, and when.” Archives of Disease in Childhood Fetal and Neonatal Edition 2003; 88:F80
“Vitamin K in Colostrum and Breast milk” Midwifery Today Vol 1 Issue 41. October 1999.
Frank R. Greer et al. “Improving the Vitamin K Status of Breastfeeding Infants With Maternal Vitamin K Supplements.” Pediatrics Vol 99 No 1. January 1997. pp 88-92.
Frank R. Greer. “Are breastfed infants vitamin K deficient?” Advances in Experimental Medicine & Biology. 2001;501:391-5.
R von Kries et al. “Oral mixed micellar vitamin K for prevention of late vitamin K deficiency bleeding.” Archives of Disease in Childhood Fetal and Neonatal Edition 2003; 88:F109-12.
J Golding et al. “Factors associated with childhood cancer in a national cohort study.” British Journal of Cancer 1990;62:304-308.
J Golding et al. “Childhood cancer, intramuscular Vitamin K, and pethidine given during labour.” British Medical Journal 1992;305: 199-203.
R von Kries et al. “Vitamin K and childhood cancer: a population based case-control study in Lower Saxony, Germany.” British Medical Journal 1996;313: 199-203.
DH Olsen et al. “Vitamin K regimens and incidence of childhood cancer in Denmark.” British Medical Journal 1994; 308: 895-6.
R von Kries. “Neonatal Vitamin K prophylaxis: the Gordian knot still awaits untying.” British Medical Journal 1998;316: 161-2.

Recommended Medical Investigations & Treatments for Fibroids Information for women

Free in New Zealand, o'seas please contact WHA
Online version available
Includes

What are fibroids?
What causes fibroids?
Symptoms of fibroids
Diagnosing fibroids
Methods of diagnosing fibroids
Treatment of fibroids
Medical treatments
Medical treatments that don't work
Surgical treatments
New treatments - surgical and non-surgical
Complementary treatments
Glossary
Further information

This pamphlet has been endorsed by the RANZCOG and the RNZCGP.
This pamphlet, based on the NHC Guidelines has been prepared by Women's Health Action for the National Health Committee. July 2001

Recommended Medical Investigations and Treatments for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding - Information for Women
Free in New Zealand, o'seas please contact WHA
Online version availableIncludes

Introduction
Diagnosis & Investigations
Effective Treatments for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
- medical treatments
- surgical treatments
Flow chart for medical management
Glossary
Further Information

This pamphlet has been endorsed by the RANZCOG and the RNZCGP.
This pamphlet, based on the NHC Guidelines has been prepared by Women's Health Action for the National Health Committee. March 1999

Heart Health for women at mid-life and after - a guide to understanding and preventing cardiovascular disease
Cost $NZ1.00+p&p not available o'seas unless in bulk purchase
Includes:

Heart disease - not just a male problem
Heart disease in New Zealand
Basic heart facts
Cardiovascular deaths in New Zealand women
Gender politics of heart disease
Menopause and heart disease
Preventing heart disease
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Hormone replacement therapy and heart disease
Want to know more about your risk of heart disease
good news about hearts
Change what you eat
get those thighs and buttocks moving
references
what about alcohol

Move it or Lose it - A guide to exercise for women at mid-life and after
Cost $NZ1.00+p&p not available o'seas unless in bulk purchase
Includes:

The more we meed it, the less we do it
Golden rules for mid-life women
Burn off the kilos
Live longer, live better
How much is enough
What kind of exercise
Where to go

BreastScreen Aotearoa More about breast screening and the National Breast Screening Programme

This leaflet is available free throughout New Zealand/Aotearoa and available online

Contents:

Breast cancer in New Zealand

What are Mammograms?

What Mammograms can achieve

Benefits of mammography for women 50 and over

The National Breast Screening Programme

Mammography for women who are not part of the programme

Limitations and risks of screening

Techniques of diagnosing cancer

What happens if a cancer is found?

What causes breast cancer

Breast Self Help

Examination by a Doctor
References

Help for hot flushes
Cost $NZ1.00+p&p not available o'seas unless in bulk purchase
Includes:

Nutrition
Exercise
Herbs
Homeopathy
Acupuncture
Acupressure
Supplements
Hormone replacement therapy
Other drug treatments
The right clothes - day and night
Triggers for hot flushes
Self-help hints from women attending our workshops
Further reading about menopause
For help finding a therapist or natural healer

A woman's guide to hormone replacement therapy or HRT at the menopause
Cost $NZ4.00+p&p if o'seas
Online version now available - this should be read in conjunction with the new HRT key messages

Includes:

Hormone replacement therapy
Benefits of HRT
Menopause
Osteoporosis
Heart disease and HRT
Stroke and HRT
Possible drawbacks of HRT
Different HRT regimens
Forms of HRT
Premenopausal use of HRT
Who should not use HRT
Recommendations for HRT use

Mammography - all about breast cancer screening

Includes:

Breast cancer in New Zealand
Signs of breast cancer
What causes breast cancer?
What are mammograms?
Mammography in perspective
Disadvantages of screening
Breast self examination
Examination by a doctor
Techniques for diagnosing cancer
What happens when cancer is found?
References

You and Your Health Records - Your Rights Under the Privacy Act

Cost $NZ1.00+p&p not available o'seas unless in bulk purchase.
Online version available
Includes:

why look at my records;
what does the law say;
which type of records do I have access to under the new Privacy Act;
what do health records contain;
can I be refused any of my records; how do I see a copy of my records;
can I get a copy of my records;
can a health agency destroy my health records;
how long will it take to get my records;
what can I do if my records are not correct;
can anyone else obtain my records;
do I have to give a reason for seeing my records;
do I have to look at my records with a practitioner present; will I be charged;
can I look at my children's records;
am I able to obtain a deceased relative's records;
what if I have a problem obtaining health records;
if you have a problem with a privacy matter you can contact.