Women's health toolkit

References and resources

RCGP eLearning

• Antenatal care: eLearning

• Antiphospholipid syndrome

• Bloating and Other Abdominal Symptoms: Could it be Ovarian Cancer?

• Breast cancer prevention CyP

• Breast Cancer Screening – the Essentials

• Cervical Screening Update

• Contraception

• Early diagnosis of endometrial and cervical cancer

• Gynaecology and Women’s Health Hub

• Heavy menstrual bleeding

• HRT and breast cancer risk CyP

• Lactational atrophic vulvovaginitis

• Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP)

• Over the counter treatment of the menopause CyP

• Perinatal mental health

• Pregnancy loss and child bereavement

• Sexual and reproductive needs of the LGBT community

• Sexual health in primary care

• Vulval cancer

• What is the best method for managing early miscarriage?

• Women’s Health Library

Other RCGP resources

• RCGP curriculum guide. Gynaecology and breast.

• RCGP. GP curriculum.

• RCGP. Confidentiality and young people toolkit. 2014.

British Menopause Society

• British Menopause Society. BMS Consensus Statements.

• BMS Tools for clinicians.

FSRH

• FSRH. FSRH Statement: NHS data shows contraception provision shows signs of recovery post pandemic in community clinics and GP practices. September 2022.

• FSRH. UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use. 2016.

• FSRH. Contraceptive counselling free online course.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Combined Hormonal Contraception. October 2023.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Progestogen-only Pills. July 2023.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Progestogen-only Implant. July 2023.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Progestogen-only Injectable. July 2023.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Intrauterine contraception. July 2023.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Barrier Methods for Contraception and STI Prevention. October 2015.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Male and Female Sterilisation. September 2014.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Contraception for Women Aged over 40 Years. July 2023.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Contraceptive Choices for Young People. May 2019.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Emergency Contraception. July 2023.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Quick Starting Contraception. April 2017.

• FSRH CEU Guidance: Drug Interactions with Hormonal Contraception. May 2022.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Contraception After Pregnancy. October 2020.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Fertility Awareness Methods. June 2015.

• FSRH CEU Guidance: Supporting Contraceptive Choices for Individuals Who Have or Have Had Breast Cancer. November 2023.

• FSRH Clinical Guideline: Problematic Bleeding with Hormonal Contraception. July 2015.

NICE CKS pages

• NICE CKS. Antenatal care – uncomplicated pregnancy. February 2023.

• NICE CKS. Breast cancer – managing FH. December 2018.

• NICE CKS. Cervical Cancer and HPV. February 2022.

• NICE CKS. Chlamydia – uncomplicated genital. April 2022.

• NICE CKS. Contraception – assessment. July 2023.

• NICE CKS. Depression – antenatal and postnatal. April 2022.

• NICE CKS. Dysmenorrhoea. October 2023.

• NICE CKS. Endometriosis. October 2023.

• NICE CKS. Fibroids. July 2022.

• NICE CKS. Gonorrhoea. August 2022.

• NICE CKS. Herpes simplex – genital. January 2023.

• NICE CKS. HIV infection and AIDS. May 2021.

• NICE CKS. Hypertension in pregnancy. May 2022.

• NICE CKS. Infertility. July 2023.

• NICE CKS. Menopause. September 2022.

• NICE CKS. Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding). March 2023.

• NICE CKS. Miscarriage. October 2023.

• NICE CKS. Ovarian cancer. August 2023.

• NICE CKS. Polycystic ovary syndrome. July 2023.

• NICE CKS. Premenstrual syndrome. May 2019.

• NICE CKS. Pruritus vulvae. October 2022.

• NICE CKS. Syphilis. December 2019.

• NICE CKS. Trichomoniasis. November 2023.

• NICE CKS. Warts – anogenital. November 2022.

• NICE CKS scenario. Antenatal care-uncomplicated pregnancy. February 2023.

NICE guidelines

• NICE NG201. Antenatal care. August 2021.

• NICE NG73. Endometriosis: diagnosis and management. September 2017.

• NICE CG164. Familial breast cancer: classification, care and managing breast cancer and related risks in people with a family history of breast cancer. November 2023.

• NICE CG156. Fertility problems: assessment and treatment. September 2017.

• NICE NG88. Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management.

• NICE CG30. Long-acting reversible contraception. July 2019.

• NICE NG23. Menopause: diagnosis and management. December 2019.

• NICE PH38. Type 2 diabetes: prevention in people at high risk. September 2017.

• NICE NG123. Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women: management. June 2019.

• NICE PH27. Weight management before, during and after pregnancy. July 2010.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• GP infant feeding network. Galactogogues. October 2019.

• Specialist pharmacy service. The principles of prescribing in pregnancy. July 2021.

• Specialist pharmacy service. Questions to ask when giving advice on medicines and breastfeeding. December 2020.

• The breastfeeding network. Drugs in breastmilk factsheets.

• UK teratology information service. Best use of medicines in pregnancy. 2023.

• UK teratology information service. Evidence-based safety information about medication, vaccine, chemical and radiological exposures in pregnancy.

RCOG, RCPsych, RCoA and RCPCH resources

• RCOG. About mesh.

• RCOG. Green-top guideline no 34. The Management of Ovarian Cysts in Postmenopausal Women. July 2016.

• RCOG Green top guideline no 53. Female Genital Mutilation and its Management. July 2015.

• RCOG. Green-top guideline no 62. Management of Suspected Ovarian Masses in Premenopausal Women. 2011.

• RCOG. Managing premenstrual syndrome. March 2018.

• RCOG. Pelvic organ prolapse. 2013.

• RCOG. Treatment for symptoms of the menopause.

• RCPsych. Postpartum psychosis for carers. November 2018.

• RCPsych. Perinatal mental health services: recommendations for the provision of services for childbearing women. 2021.

• RCPCH. Safeguarding guidance for children and young people under 18 accessing early medical abortion services.

• Royal College of Anaesthetists. Bulletin. As we were – the obstetric flying squad. January 2020.

Primary care women’s health forum

• Primary care women’s health forum. Patient pathways. September 2023.

• PCWHF. Conservative management of prolapse. Competency framework for primary care.

• Rock my menopause.

• Primary care women’s health forum. Guidance on management and prescribing HRT for GPs.

ESHRE

• European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. Endometriosis. 2022.

• European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. International evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 2023.

Patient support groups/charities and patient information leaflets

• Barnardo’s. Female genital mutilation.

• Child Bereavement UK.

• Contraception choices. Contraceptive methods.

• Daisy network.

• Endometriosis UK.

• Menopause Matters.

• Metropolitan police. FGM support organisations.

• Mind. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. August 2021.

• NAPS

• NSPCC. Female genital mutilation.

• Rock my menopause.

• Sands

• Tommy’s. Your rights and benefits after a stillbirth. February 2022.

• Tommy’s. What happens if I’m pregnant over the age of 40? September 2020.

• Women’s Health Concern.

• Women’s Health Concern. Period pain. November 2022.

Government publications and web pages

• Department for Education. How the Period Products Scheme is removing barriers in education. September 2023.

• Department of Health and Social Care. Women's Health Strategy for England. August 2022.

• Department of Health and Social Care. FGM: mandatory reporting in healthcare. January 2017.

• Department of Health and Social Care. Women’s health hubs: core specification. July 2023.

• Medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency. Off-label or unlicensed use of medicines: prescribers’ responsibilities. December 2014.

• Public Health England. Health of women before and during pregnancy: health behaviours, risk factors and inequalities. 2019.

• UK Health Security Agency. Sexually transmitted infections and screening for chlamydia in England: 2022 report. October 2023.

NHS

• NHS Better Health. Start for life.

• NHS. HPV vaccine. September 2023.

• NHS. Vaginal cancer. Causes. November 2023.

• NHS. Antiphospholipid syndrome – diagnosis. June 2022.

• NHS. Pelvic organ prolapse. 2021.

NHS England

• NHS England. NHS sets ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. November 2023.

• NHS England. Female genital mutilation. A guide for healthcare professionals.

• NHS England. Mesh working group.

Cancer Research UK

• Cancer Research UK. Fallopian tube cancer.

• Cancer Research UK. Women’s cancers (gynaecological cancer).

Other resources and references

• BASHH. UK National Guideline for consultations requiring sexual history taking. 2019.

• BMA. The law and ethics of abortion. BMA views. March 2023.

• British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy. All accredited endometriosis centres.

• British Society of Urogynaecology. Mesh information leaflets.

• MBRRACE-UK. Lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2019-21. October 2023.

• Medical Protection. Abortion Act amendments – what they mean for you. September 2022.

• Menstrual health coalition. Heavy menstrual bleeding – breaking silence and stigma. 2020.

• Personalised care institute. Shared decision making. November 2020.

• Plan International UK. Break the barriers: girls’ experiences of menstruation in the UK. June 2018.

• Saint Mary’s Managed Clinical Service. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Pathway guide – ovarian cysts.

• United Kingdom continence society. UK Clinical Guideline for best practice in the use of vaginal pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse. 2021.

• World Health Organization. Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative.

Academic papers

• Dixon S, Ranger TA, Burchardt J et al. Exploring the interface between adolescent dysmenorrhoea and endometriosis: a protocol for a cohort and nested case-control study within the QResearch Database. BMJ Open. 2023 Feb 14;13(2):e069984.

• Dutton B, Kai J. Women's experiences of heavy menstrual bleeding and medical treatment: a qualitative study in primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2023 Mar 30;73(729):e294-e301.

• Edwards SK, Bates CM, Lewis F, Sethi G, Grover D. 2014 UK national guideline on the management of vulval conditions. Int J STD AIDS. 2015 Aug;26(9):611-24

• Falcaro M, Castañon A, Ndlela B et al. The effects of the national HPV vaccination programme in England, UK, on cervical cancer and grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia incidence: a register-based observational study. Lancet. 2021 Dec 4;398(10316):2084-2092.

• Keeling D, Mackie I, Moore GW et al; British Committee for Standards in Haematology. Guidelines on the investigation and management of antiphospholipid syndrome. Br J Haematol. 2012 Apr;157(1):47-58.

• Kiran A, Geary RS, Gurol-Urganci I, et al. Sociodemographic differences in symptom severity and duration among women referred to secondary care for menorrhagia in England and Wales: a cohort study from the National Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Audit. BMJ Open 2018;8:e018444.

• Lee SI, Azcoaga-Lorenzo A, Agrawal U et al, MuM-PreDiCT Group. Epidemiology of pre-existing multimorbidity in pregnant women in the UK in 2018: a population-based cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Feb 11;22(1):120

• Lewis FM, Tatnall FM, Velangi SS et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of lichen sclerosus, 2018. Br J Dermatol. 2018 Apr;178(4):839-853.

• Maughan BC, Marin M, Han J et al. Venous Thromboembolism During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: Risk Factors, Diagnostic Testing, and Treatment. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2022 Jul;77(7):433-444.