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 |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Clinical over 45; tests rarely needed |
| MHT | Progestogen needed with a uterus |
| Non-hormonal | SSRIs, SNRIs, gabapentin |
| POI | Before 40; hormone therapy |
| Bone health | Osteoporosis risk |
Worked example
Worked question · MHT
A woman with a uterus starts MHT. What must be included?
- A A progestogen
- B Testosterone gel
- C Low-dose thyroxine
- D An SSRI
- E A statin
Show the reasoning
Answer A. A progestogen protects the endometrium from oestrogen-driven hyperplasia.
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- Using outdated screening intervals.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 menopause questions
Questions from our Women's health bank. Choose your answer, then open the explanation.
A 51-year-old has had no periods for 13 months and has hot flushes. Is a blood test needed to diagnose menopause?
- AYes, a pelvic ultrasound is required to confirm it
- BYes, FSH on two occasions is required
- CYes, AMH is required
- DNo, it is a clinical diagnosis
- EYes, oestradiol must be undetectable
Show answer and explanation
Answer D. In women over 45, menopause is diagnosed clinically after 12 months of amenorrhoea (or by symptoms in perimenopause). FSH testing is not needed and is unreliable in perimenopause; it may help in women under 45 or with hormonal contraception confusing the picture.
Learning point: Menopause over 45 is a clinical diagnosis; FSH only helps under 45.
A 56-year-old on continuous combined MHT for 2 years develops new vaginal bleeding. What is needed?
- ASwitch to oestrogen alone
- BDouble the progestogen dose
- CInvestigate (ultrasound, sampling)
- DReassure, as bleeding is normal on MHT at any stage
- EStop MHT and do nothing else
Show answer and explanation
Answer C. Bleeding is common in the first 3 to 6 months of continuous combined MHT. New bleeding after that, or persistent bleeding, needs investigation (transvaginal ultrasound and endometrial sampling) to exclude endometrial pathology.
Learning point: New bleeding after 6 months of continuous combined MHT: ultrasound and endometrial sampling.
A 34-year-old has 8 months of amenorrhoea and hot flushes. FSH is 68 IU/L on two tests 6 weeks apart. Pregnancy test is negative. What is the diagnosis and key treatment?
- ANormal menopause; no treatment needed
- BPCOS; metformin and the combined pill
- CEarly perimenopause; review in a year
- DHypothalamic amenorrhoea; weight gain and stress reduction only
- EPOI; hormones until about age 51
Show answer and explanation
Answer E. Premature ovarian insufficiency (under 40) is diagnosed by amenorrhoea of 4 months or more and FSH over 25 IU/L on two occasions. Hormone therapy (MHT or COC) is recommended until about 51 to protect bone and cardiovascular health and relieve symptoms. Karyotype and fragile X testing are recommended.
Learning point: POI (under 40): amenorrhoea plus FSH over 25 twice; give hormones until about 51.
Practise more menopause questions free
Every menopause subtopic in our bank
The bank holds 20 menopause questions across 20 subtopics. You can filter by any of them, build a custom block and track your accuracy subtopic by subtopic.
- Bioidentical compounded hormones1
- Bleeding on MHT1
- Body-identical progesterone1
- Cardiovascular risk and menopause1
- Contraindications to MHT1
- Diagnosing menopause1
- Duration of MHT1
- Fezolinetant1
- MHT and breast cancer risk1
- Non-hormonal hot flush treatment1
- Osteoporosis prevention at menopause1
- Perimenopausal contraception1
- Premature ovarian insufficiency1
- Sleep and mood at menopause1
- Surgical menopause1
- Testosterone for women1
- Tibolone1
- Transdermal oestrogen1
- Vaginal atrophy1
- Weight gain at midlife1
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.