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 |
|---|---|
| Heavy bleeding | LNG-IUD first-line |
| Dysmenorrhoea | NSAIDs and hormones |
| Amenorrhoea | Pregnancy test first |
| PMDD | SSRIs and hormonal options |
| Postmenopausal bleeding | Ultrasound and biopsy |
Worked example
Worked question · Amenorrhoea
What is the first test in secondary amenorrhoea?
- A Pregnancy test
- B Pelvic MRI
- C Karyotype analysis
- D Diagnostic laparoscopy
- E Serum CA-125
Show the reasoning
Answer A. Always exclude pregnancy first, then check FSH, LH, prolactin and TSH.
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- Using outdated screening intervals.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 menstrual disorders questions
Questions from our Women's health bank. Choose your answer, then open the explanation.
A 30-year-old has severe mood changes and irritability in the 10 days before each period, resolving with menstruation and affecting relationships. What is effective treatment?
- AAlprazolam during the luteal phase each month
- BAn SSRI
- CGnRH analogue as first-line
- DVitamin B6 as the only treatment
- EA progestogen-only pill continuously
Show answer and explanation
Answer B. PMDD is confirmed by prospective symptom diaries over 2 cycles. SSRIs (continuous or luteal-phase only) are effective first-line, along with CBT and a drospirenone-containing COC. GnRH analogues or surgery are reserved for refractory cases.
Learning point: PMDD: symptom diary, SSRI (luteal or continuous), CBT, drospirenone COC.
A 62-year-old has an episode of vaginal bleeding. Transvaginal ultrasound shows endometrial thickness of 9 mm. What is next?
- AEndometrial sampling
- BTranexamic acid and review only if bleeding recurs
- CStart progestogen therapy without sampling
- DRepeat ultrasound in 2 years
- EReassure and review in a year
Show answer and explanation
Answer A. In postmenopausal bleeding, an endometrial thickness above 4 mm needs histological assessment (pipelle biopsy or hysteroscopy and curettage) to exclude endometrial cancer. Persistent bleeding needs sampling regardless of thickness.
Learning point: Postmenopausal bleeding with endometrium over 4 mm: biopsy or hysteroscopy.
A 40-year-old with fibroids has heavy periods and Hb 105 g/L. She wants to keep her uterus. Which treatment can reduce bleeding medically?
- AIgnoring the anaemia
- BTranexamic acid or LNG-IUD
- COral antibiotics
- DLong-term opioids
- EHysterectomy as the only option
Show answer and explanation
Answer B. Options for fibroid-related heavy bleeding include tranexamic acid, NSAIDs, LNG-IUD (if the cavity is not distorted), and GnRH analogues before surgery. Myomectomy or uterine artery embolisation preserve the uterus. Iron should be replaced.
Learning point: Fibroid bleeding: tranexamic acid, NSAIDs, LNG-IUD; myomectomy or UAE to preserve uterus; treat iron.
Practise more menstrual disorders questions free
Every menstrual disorders subtopic in our bank
The bank holds 12 menstrual disorders questions across 12 subtopics. You can filter by any of them, build a custom block and track your accuracy subtopic by subtopic.
- Endometrial cancer risk1
- Endometriosis first-line1
- Heavy menstrual bleeding investigation1
- Hyperprolactinaemia1
- Intermenstrual bleeding on the pill1
- PMDD treatment1
- Postmenopausal bleeding1
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder1
- Primary amenorrhoea1
- Primary dysmenorrhoea1
- Secondary amenorrhoea tests1
- Uterine fibroids1
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.