Family Planning and Contraception & Adolescent Gynaecology Dr Chris Arthur
Family Planning and Contraception & Adolescent Gynaecology
Speaker: Dr. Chris Arthur (Obstetrician & Gynecologist)
Overview: A overview covering HPG axis development, primary and secondary amenorrhea evaluation, adolescent PCOS, and contraceptive options.
Key Takeaways:
HPG Axis & Puberty: Explains the central regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and the physiological sequence of pubertal development.
Primary Amenorrhea Evaluation: Warranted at age 15 (or 3 years post-thelarche); structured by assessing secondary sexual characteristics (breast development indicating estrogen) and serum FSH to differentiate central failure from gonadal dysgenesis (e.g., Turner or Swyer syndrome) or anatomical absence (MRKH).
Adolescent PCOS Framing: Re-conceptualizes PCOS as a central endocrine/metabolic disorder rather than a primary gynaecological disease, requiring long-term lifestyle and metabolic management.
Contraception Overview: Details long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), highlighting that Implanon NXT has the lowest failure rate, alongside combined and progestin-only oral pills.
14 Sept 2026
Breast Health Screening Dr Maree Kekeff
Breast Health Screening
Speaker: Dr. Maree Kekeff (Specialist Breast Surgeon)
Overview: A complete update on population screening guidelines, diagnostic triple assessment, breast density implications, and contrast-enhanced imaging.
Key Takeaways:
Screening vs. Diagnostic Pathways: Asymptomatic population screening (BreastScreen) targets women aged 50–74; any patient presenting with a clinical symptom (lump, nipple discharge, skin changes) requires a diagnostic pathway with triple assessment.
Breast Density Challenges: Category C and D dense breasts mask lesions on standard 2D mammography ("like X-raying concrete") and independently increase lifetime breast cancer risk.
Contrast-Enhanced Mammography (CEM): Functions as a highly sensitive alternative to MRI for dense breasts or equivocal lesions, offering superior detection of early microcalcifications.
HRT & Breast Cancer: MHT does not initiate breast cancer but can act as "fuel on a fire" for existing hormone-receptor-positive cells; MHT is generally safe in women with dense breasts if appropriate surveillance is maintained.
14 Sept 2026
Fertility, Family Planning and Breast health Screening Panel Discussion Dr Kee Ong, Dr Chris Arthur, Dr Maree Kekeff
Fertility, Family Planning and Breast Health Screening Panel Discussion
Panelists: Dr. Kee Ong, Dr. Chris Arthur, Dr. Maree Kekeff
Overview: A panel discussion addressing screening protocols for dense breasts, adolescent contraceptive selection, PCOS ovulation induction, and anabolic steroid recovery.
Key Takeaways:
Dense Breast Screening: Women with Category C/D breast density and a family history of breast cancer should undergo specialized surveillance (such as contrast-enhanced mammography or MRI) starting 10 years earlier than the affected first-degree relative or from age 40.
Adolescent Contraception & Stature: Progestin-only options or levonorgestrel IUDs (Kyleena/Mirena) can be used in adolescents with severe dysmenorrhea without adversely impacting linear growth.
PCOS Ovulation Induction: Metformin, Letrozole, and GLP-1 receptor agonists play valuable roles in managing cycle irregularity, metabolic status, and ovulation induction in PCOS.
Anabolic Steroid-Induced Azoospermia: Exogenous anabolic steroids suppress gonadotropins (FSH/LH); cessation typically allows spermatogenesis recovery within ~6 months.
14 Sept 2026
First Trimester & Screening Dr Jackie Chua
Dr. Jackie Chua (Director, Queensland Ultrasound for Women)
Overview: An essential overview of early pregnancy ultrasound, gestational age calculation, early pregnancy loss diagnosis, and first-trimester screening protocols.
Key Takeaways:
Accurate Gestational Dating: Transvaginal ultrasound measuring Crown-Rump Length (CRL) provides the most reliable gestational dating (precision of ±3–5 days) and should be used to re-date pregnancies if discrepancy with last menstrual period exceeds 5 days.
Pregnancy Loss Diagnostic Criteria: Miscarriage is definitively confirmed on transvaginal scan when a mean gestational sac diameter is ≥25 mm without a fetal pole, or a fetal pole measures ≥7 mm without cardiac activity.
Caesarean Scar & Ectopic Pregnancies: Caesarean section scar pregnancies are an increasingly frequent medical emergency due to rising surgical delivery rates, requiring early transvaginal detection to avoid severe hemorrhage or uterine rupture.
Aneuploidy & Pre-Eclampsia Screening: Highlights the combined 11–14 week ultrasound scan, Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), and first-trimester pre-eclampsia screening (mean arterial pressure, uterine artery Doppler, and PLGF blood testing) to identify candidates for nightly low-dose aspirin (150 mg).
14 Sept 2026
Gynaecological Cancer Screening Dr Sowmya Sharma
Gynaecological Cancer Screening
Speaker: Dr. Sowmya Sharma (Lead Cytopathologist & Anatomical Pathologist)
Overview: An update on the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP), self-collection expansion, cytological discordance, and red flags across gynaecological cancers.
Key Takeaways:
National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP): 5-yearly primary HPV screening for asymptomatic women aged 25–74, with universal availability of self-collected vaginal swabs.
Resolving Discordant LBC & Biopsy: Discordance between Liquid-Based Cytology showing possible high-grade lesions and negative colposcopy biopsy often stems from benign mimickers (atrophy, immature metaplasia), requiring clinico-pathological review.
Screening Exit Guidelines (>75 Years): Patients over 75 with no screening in the prior 5 years require an exit CST (self-collected or clinician-collected) before leaving the program.
Malignancy Red Flags: Summarizes presenting signs for endometrial cancer (postmenopausal bleeding), vulvar cancer (persistent non-healing ulcers/itching), and ovarian cancer (vague bloating, altered bowel habits)
14 Sept 2026
The Menopause Transition Dr Miriam Lee
The Menopause Transition
Speaker: Dr. Miriam Lee (Obstetrician & Gynecologist)
Overview: An in-depth breakdown of perimenopausal endocrinology, the diagnostic limits of AMH, Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), and MHT safety in older women.
Key Takeaways:
Perimenopause Physiology: Begins roughly 4 years prior to natural menopause and is marked by significant hormonal fluctuations and cycle lengthening driven by declining follicular reserve.
AMH Myths: Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) measures the primordial follicle pool but cannot accurately predict the exact age or timing of natural menopause, particularly in younger women.
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI): Diagnosed in women under 40 with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism; requires full replacement-dose estrogen and progesterone until the average age of natural menopause (50–51 years) to preserve bone, cardiovascular, and brain health.
MHT in Older Women: Initiating MHT in women over 60–70 years carries an unfavorable risk-benefit profile, including elevated cardiovascular events, making cautious individualization necessary
14 Sept 2026
Endometriosis & Chronic Pelvic Pain Dr Mikhail Sarofim
Endometriosis & Chronic Pelvic Pain
Speaker: Dr. Mikhail Sarofim (Obstetrician & Gynecologist, Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon)
Overview: Clinical assessment of chronic pelvic pain, specialized imaging, advanced excision surgery, and multidisciplinary management of endometriosis.
Key Takeaways:
Differential Diagnosis: Differentiates cyclical pelvic pain from overlapping non-gynaecological causes such as irritable bowel syndrome, bladder pain syndrome, and pelvic floor hypertonicity.
Role of Specialized Imaging: Specialized transvaginal ultrasound and MRI excel at mapping deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) nodules and endometriomas, though normal imaging does not rule out superficial peritoneal disease.
Surgical Principles: Complete surgical excision is significantly superior to ablation for symptom relief and reducing disease recurrence; repeat surgeries should be minimized to prevent adhesion formation and diminishing returns.
Post-Operative Suppression: Hormonal suppression following surgery is strongly recommended to reduce disease recurrence (which reaches 30–50% at 5 years without suppression).
14 Sept 2026
Womens health Panel Discussion Dr Jackie Chua, Dr Sowmya Sharma, Dr Miriam Lee, Dr Mikhail Sarofim
Women's Health Panel Discussion
Panelists: Dr. Jackie Chua, Dr. Sowmya Sharma, Dr. Miriam Lee, Dr. Mikhail Sarofim
Overview: An interdisciplinary Q&A panel addressing complex clinical dilemmas in pelvic pain, severe endometriosis, premature ovarian insufficiency, and pre-eclampsia screening.
Key Takeaways:
Empirical Endometriosis Management: Commencing empirical hormonal therapy for suspected pelvic pain is encouraged in primary care, as a normal transvaginal scan or MRI does not rule out superficial peritoneal endometriosis.
MHT in Severe Endometriosis: Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) should not be withheld from symptomatic women with a history of severe endometriosis; combining continuous progesterone with estrogen helps protect against disease recurrence.
Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) & Fertility Hopes: For women with POI who hold hope for spontaneous pregnancy, micronized progesterone should be selected over medroxyprogesterone acetate for endometrial protection.
Pre-Eclampsia Screening Logistics: Optimal screening combines mean arterial pressure, uterine artery pulsatility index, and PLGF blood testing, best performed at or after 11 weeks gestation.
14 Sept 2026
Weight Management in the Perimenopausal - Menopausal Woman Dr Angela Kwong
Weight Management in the Perimenopausal/Menopausal Woman
Speaker: Dr. Angela Kwong (General Practitioner, Obesity Management Lead)
Overview: Exploring the hormonal drivers of menopausal weight gain, insulin resistance assessment, GLP-1 receptor agonist titration, and holistic lifestyle strategies.
Key Takeaways:
Hormonal Mechanisms of Weight Gain: Estrogen receptor loss across brain, adipose, muscle, and liver tissue alters body composition, driving central visceral adiposity independently of energy balance.
Insulin Resistance: Fasting insulin levels ≥10 mIU/L indicate established insulin resistance, which can be managed with Metformin titration.
GLP-1 Titration & Bi-Weekly Dosing: To manage peak-concentration gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, fatigue), bi-weekly split dosing (half-dose twice weekly) maintains steady therapeutic levels and improves patient tolerability.
Multidisciplinary Interventions: Emphasizes optimizing dietary protein, dietary fiber, and functional resistance training/Pilates over extreme weightlifting that can aggravate joint conditions.
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