Women's Health Conditions
HPV
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a very common group of viruses. They do not cause any problems in most people, but some types can cause genital warts or cancer.
HPV affects the skin. There are more than 100 different types. Most of the time HPV does not cause any problems.
Cancers linked to high-risk HPV include:
- cervical cancer
- anal cancer
- penile cancer
- vulval cancer
- vaginal cancer
- some types of head and neck cancer
You can have HPV for many years without it causing problems.
You can have it even if you have not been sexually active or had a new partner for many years.
A 2021 study published in The Lancet has shown that the HPV vaccine has dramatically reduced cervical cancer rates by almost 90% in women in their 20s who were offered it at ages 12 to 13. Their findings show that the vaccines have almost eliminated cervical cancer in women born since September 1, 1995.
Have you had your HPV vaccine ask your GP? As all Females remain eligible for HPV vaccine up to their twenty-fifth birthday. All males born on/ after 1 September 2006 are eligible up to their twenty-fifth birthday.
Read more information about HPV.
Cervical cancer and cervical screening
Each year, more than 3,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK. This type of cancer can affect people of all ages. Very early-stage cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms. It is usually found and treated because of cervical screening tests (this includes a smear test).
Some of the common symptoms of cervical cancer can include:
- Vaginal bleeding unusual for you
- Changes in vaginal discharge
- Pain or discomfort during sex
- Pain in your lower back or pelvis.
Talk to your GP or practice nurse and get the symptoms checked if you experience them. These symptoms can be embarrassing, but your GP or practice nurse will understand. The earlier cervical cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.
There are also preventative measures in place that will help lower your chances of getting cervical cancer these are.
Screening is offered to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. It helps protect them against cervical cancer.
Are you up to date with your cervical screening? If not speak to your GP to arrange an appointment.
Read more about cervical screening.
Breast cancer and breast screening
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50, but younger women can also get breast cancer. About 1 in 7 women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. There's a good chance of recovery if it's detected at an early stage. For this reason, it's vital that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always have any changes examined by a GP.
Anyone registered with a GP as female will be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 71. You'll automatically get your first invite for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53. Then you'll be invited every 3 years until you turn 71. If you're a trans man, trans woman or are non-binary you may be invited automatically, or you may need to talk to your GP surgery or call the local breast screening service to ask for an appointment.
You need to be registered with a GP surgery to be invited for breast screening.
If you are eligible for Breast Screening, registered with a GP and live in Southend and have not received an invite then please contact South Essex Breast Screening Service
- Nightingale Centre, Southend Hospital NHS Trust, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff on Sea, Essex, SS0 0RY
Telephone: 01702 385024
Read more information about breast screening.
Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy
Every experience of menopause is different; symptoms can last months or years and can change over time. For many, these are debilitating symptoms that adversely affect their daily life, work, relationships, and future health. 1 in 10 women quit their job because of menopause symptoms. Many more make other significant changes like reducing their hours or passing up promotions.
If menopause symptoms amount to a disability, an employer will be under a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments; this may include access to a desk fan etc. Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, workers are protected from discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the basis of protected characteristics including disability, age and sex.
This means that direct or indirect discrimination because of a disability is against the law.
Under health and safety legislation, employers also have a legal obligation to conduct an assessment of their workplace risks.
The Local Implementation of the National Women’s Health Strategy for 2024/2025 from the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (MSEICS) outlines the following with regards to menopause care:
The majority of menopause care and treatment takes place in primary care, unless there are circumstances where a referral is needed to a menopause specialist.
Through development of the WHH, MSEICS will:
- Review training and education provision to ensure best practice in menopause care is delivered to a high quality across the system.
- Review and improve pathways to access existing menopause specialist care.
- Support providers to develop provision of specialist advice to support high-quality referrals for primary care professionals.
- Recognising that MSEICS is an anchor institution we will establish support for our workforce in terms of robust policies, awareness training, a support structure and access to information.
No time to step back: the goverment's Menopause Employment Champion