What this area covers
RANZCOG runs certificate programs in women's health for GPs and other doctors, with written assessment. Check the RANZCOG Certificate and Procedural Examinations page for current formats and dates. This page is for GPs and junior doctors completing a RANZCOG women's health certificate.
High-yield topics
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| LARC | Implant and IUDs, most effective |
| Combined methods | Contraindications such as migraine with aura |
| Emergency | Copper IUD, ulipristal, levonorgestrel |
| Eligibility | UKMEC categories |
| Special groups | Adolescents, postpartum, perimenopause |
Worked example
Worked question · Emergency contraception
What is the most effective emergency contraception?
- A Copper IUD
- B Levonorgestrel pill
- C Ulipristal pill
- D Combined pill
- E Condom
Show the reasoning
Answer A. A copper IUD inserted within 5 days is the most effective emergency contraception and provides ongoing contraception.
A short study plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Core guidance |
| 2 | Common presentations |
| 3 | Timed questions and review |
Do a short timed set most days and review every explanation, including the options you ruled out.
Common traps
- Using outdated screening intervals.
- Missing contraindications.
- Not safety-netting.
Free sample contraception questions
Questions from our Women's health bank. Choose your answer, then open the explanation.
A woman missed two active combined pills in week 1 of a pack and had unprotected sex 2 days ago. What is the advice?
- ATake a pill now, condoms 7 days, consider EC
- BStop the pack and wait for a period
- CTake four pills at once
- DStart a new pack in 2 weeks
- ENo action needed after two missed pills in the first week
Show answer and explanation
Answer A. Missing two or more pills (more than 48 hours late) counts as missed. Take the most recent missed pill now, continue the pack, use condoms for 7 days, and consider emergency contraception if unprotected sex occurred in the hormone-free interval or week 1.
Learning point: Two or more missed COC pills: take one now, condoms 7 days, EC if missed in week 1 after sex.
A woman has thin grey discharge with a fishy odour. pH is 5.0. What is the treatment?
- ADouching daily
- BOral metronidazole for 7 days
- CClotrimazole pessary
- DDoxycycline
- EPartner treatment for all male partners
Show answer and explanation
Answer B. Bacterial vaginosis (Amsel criteria: thin discharge, pH over 4.5, clue cells, positive whiff test) is treated with oral metronidazole 400 mg twice daily for 7 days or vaginal clindamycin or metronidazole gel. Treatment of male partners is not routinely recommended, though partner treatment is being studied for recurrence.
Learning point: BV: metronidazole 400 mg bd 7 days; avoid douching.
A woman with an etonogestrel implant for 4 months has frequent irregular bleeding. STI tests and cervical screening are normal. What is a reasonable option?
- AHysterectomy
- BA 3-month course of the combined pill
- CRemove the implant immediately in all cases
- DStart tranexamic acid for life
- EInsert a second implant
Show answer and explanation
Answer B. Unscheduled bleeding is the main reason for implant removal. After excluding pregnancy, STIs and cervical pathology, options include a short course of a combined pill (if no contraindications), a progestogen-only pill, or NSAIDs. Many women have improved bleeding over time.
Learning point: Implant bleeding: exclude STI and pathology, then short COC course or NSAIDs.
Practise more contraception questions free
Every contraception subtopic in our bank
The bank holds 20 contraception questions across 20 subtopics. You can filter by any of them, build a custom block and track your accuracy subtopic by subtopic.
- Bacterial vaginosis1
- Chlamydia treatment1
- Contraception after 401
- Contraceptive implant bleeding1
- Copper IUD side effects1
- DMPA and bone density1
- Enzyme-inducing medicines1
- Genital herpes first episode1
- Gonorrhoea treatment1
- Herpes in late pregnancy1
- HPV vaccine1
- IUD insertion and STI risk1
- Missed combined pill1
- Partner notification1
- Pelvic inflammatory disease1
- Progestogen-only pill timing1
- Quick start contraception1
- Syphilis treatment1
- Trichomonas1
- Vulvovaginal candidiasis1
Common questions
Who runs the certificates?
RANZCOG runs its women's health certificate programs; check its website for current details.
Is this relevant to GPs?
Yes. The topics reflect everyday general practice.
Sources
Clinical content is summarised from current Australian guidance at the date above. Guidelines change, so always check the latest edition.