Gynaecological & reproductive health
Women’s health: medicines & conditions
Women’s health covers contraception, menopause, periods and the reproductive system. Its medicines are largely hormonal — using or adjusting oestrogen and progestogen — to prevent pregnancy, ease menopausal symptoms or regulate the menstrual cycle.
Education and reference only. This hub explains which medicines relate to the women’s health and why — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
About the women’s health
This group includes the combined and progestogen-only contraceptives, long-acting methods, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause, and treatments for heavy or painful periods. Choices are personal and shaped by individual risks and preferences — for example, whether oestrogen is suitable, the balance of benefits and risks of HRT, and which contraceptive fits a person’s circumstances. The themes that matter are individualised choice through shared decision-making, understanding the specific benefits and risks of hormonal treatment, and regular review.
What this covers
- Contraception (including long-acting methods)
- Menopause and HRT
- Heavy or painful periods
- Reproductive and gynaecological health
Conditions in this area
Women’s health conditions (77)
Each links to a dose-free guide showing which medicine classes are used and how treatment is approached.
Reproductive health Adenomyosis A condition where womb-lining tissue grows into the muscular wall of the womb, causing heavy, painful periods and pelvic… Reproductive health Amenorrhoea (absent periods) When periods do not start, or stop for several months, in someone not pregnant or past the menopause — with many causes,… Reproductive health Androgen insensitivity syndrome A genetic condition where the body does not respond fully to male hormones (androgens), affecting sex development — wher… Reproductive health Bacterial vaginosis A common imbalance in the normal vaginal bacteria — causing a thin grey discharge and a fishy odour rather than itching … Reproductive health Bartholin's cyst A fluid-filled swelling near the vaginal opening from a blocked gland — often painless, but can become a painful abscess… Reproductive health Bleeding after sex Vaginal bleeding after sex, which usually has a minor cause but should always be checked, as it can occasionally signal … Reproductive health Blood in semen Blood in the semen, which is usually harmless and settles on its own — but should be checked, especially in older men or… Reproductive health Breast abscess A painful collection of pus in the breast, often following mastitis (especially when breastfeeding) — needing prompt tre… Reproductive health Breast cancer The most common cancer in women (and rare in men), where finding it early — through awareness of changes and screening —… Reproductive health Breast lump A common finding that is most often harmless, but any new breast lump should always be checked promptly to be sure.… Reproductive health Breast pain A very common symptom, usually not a sign of anything serious — often linked to hormonal changes — but persistent or one… Reproductive health Breastfeeding mastitis Painful inflammation of breast tissue during breastfeeding, causing a red, hot, tender area and flu-like symptoms — ofte… Reproductive health Cervical ectropion A common, harmless condition where the soft glandular cells from inside the cervix are present on its outer surface, som… Reproductive health Cervical polyps Small, usually harmless growths on the cervix that can cause bleeding or discharge — easily removed if needed, though an… Reproductive health Differences in sex development A group of conditions where a person’s sex characteristics (such as chromosomes, hormones, or anatomy) develop different… Reproductive health Ectopic pregnancy A pregnancy that implants outside the womb, usually in a fallopian tube — a potentially life-threatening emergency that … Reproductive health Endometriosis A long-term condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the womb, causing painful and often heavy pe… Reproductive health Female genital mutilation (FGM) A harmful practice involving deliberate injury to a girl’s or woman’s genitals for non-medical reasons — which is illega… Reproductive health Female infertility Difficulty becoming pregnant due to factors affecting a woman's fertility — with many treatable causes, assessed and man… Reproductive health Fibrocystic breast changes Common, harmless changes that make the breasts feel lumpy, ropey or tender, often varying with the menstrual cycle — nee… Reproductive health Fibroids (uterine fibroids) Common non-cancerous growths in the muscle of the womb that often cause no symptoms, but can lead to heavy or prolonged … Reproductive health Gestational hypertension High blood pressure that develops during pregnancy, needing monitoring because it can progress to pre-eclampsia — usuall… Reproductive health Gynaecomastia Enlargement of breast tissue in men and boys, usually due to a hormone imbalance — often harmless and settling on its ow… Reproductive health Heavy periods Menstrual bleeding heavy enough to interfere with everyday life and to risk iron-deficiency anaemia, usually treatable w… Reproductive health Hirsutism Unwanted, male-pattern hair growth in women, often linked to hormones — commonly due to polycystic ovary syndrome, and m… Reproductive health Hydrocele A build-up of fluid around a testicle causing painless scrotal swelling — common and usually harmless, often needing no … Reproductive health Hyperemesis gravidarum Severe, persistent nausea and vomiting in pregnancy that goes far beyond normal "morning sickness", causing dehydration,… Reproductive health Itchy vulva Itching of the vulva (the external female genital area), which is common and usually has a treatable cause — from thrush… Reproductive health Labial fusion A common, usually harmless condition in young girls where the skin folds around the vaginal opening stick together — whi… Reproductive health Lichen sclerosus A long-term inflammatory skin condition, usually affecting the genital and anal skin, causing itching, soreness and whit… Reproductive health Low sex drive A reduced interest in sex, which is very common, affects all genders, and usually has an identifiable and treatable caus… Reproductive health Low sperm count When semen contains fewer sperm than normal, which can affect fertility — where assessment can find causes, some treatab… Reproductive health Male infertility Difficulty fathering a child due to factors affecting sperm or the male reproductive system — a common contributor to co… Reproductive health Mastitis A painful inflammation of breast tissue most common in breastfeeding women, where the key to recovery is keeping the bre… Reproductive health Menopause The natural stage when periods stop as oestrogen levels fall, often bringing symptoms such as hot flushes and mood chang… Reproductive health Miscarriage The loss of a pregnancy in the first 23 weeks, most often in the early weeks — common and usually not caused by anything… Reproductive health Molar pregnancy A rare pregnancy complication where abnormal tissue grows in the womb instead of a normal pregnancy — needing treatment … Reproductive health Morning sickness Very common nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy that, despite its name, can happen at any time of day — usually harml… Reproductive health Nipple discharge Fluid from the nipple, which often has a harmless cause but should be checked — especially if it is from one nipple, blo… Reproductive health Obstetric cholestasis A liver condition of pregnancy causing intense itching, usually without a rash — needing monitoring, as it can affect th… Reproductive health Ovarian cysts Fluid-filled sacs that form on or in an ovary — very common, usually harmless "functional" cysts linked to the menstrual… Reproductive health Ovarian torsion A twisting of an ovary that cuts off its blood supply, causing sudden severe pelvic pain — a surgical emergency needing … Reproductive health Overactive bladder & urge incontinence A common pattern of urinary urgency, frequency and sometimes leakage caused by the bladder muscle contracting when it sh… Reproductive health Ovulation pain A common, usually harmless one-sided lower tummy pain around the middle of the menstrual cycle, when an egg is released … Reproductive health Paget's disease of the nipple A rare skin change of the nipple that can be a sign of an underlying breast cancer — so a persistent, eczema-like rash o… Reproductive health Painful sex Pain during or after sex, which is common and usually has a treatable cause — physical, hormonal or psychological — and … Reproductive health Paraphimosis A medical emergency where a retracted foreskin becomes stuck behind the head of the penis and cannot be pulled forward, … Reproductive health Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy Pain in the pelvic joints during pregnancy, common and not harmful to the baby — usually improved with physiotherapy, su… Reproductive health Pelvic inflammatory disease An infection of the upper female reproductive organs — the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries — usually caused by a sexua… Reproductive health Pelvic organ prolapse When one or more of the pelvic organs (such as the bladder, womb or bowel) drop down into the vagina due to weakened sup… Reproductive health Perimenopause The years leading up to the menopause, when hormone levels fluctuate and cause symptoms like irregular periods, hot flus… Reproductive health Perineal tear A common tear of the skin and tissues between the vagina and anus during a vaginal birth — most are minor and heal well,… Reproductive health Period pain Cramping lower-tummy pain around the time of a period, driven largely by natural chemicals called prostaglandins, and us… Reproductive health Peyronie's disease A condition where scar tissue forms in the penis, causing a curve and sometimes pain during erections — which may stabil… Reproductive health Phimosis A foreskin that is too tight to pull back over the head of the penis — normal in young boys, but sometimes causing sympt… Reproductive health PIP breast implants Breast implants made by a company (PIP) that used unapproved industrial-grade silicone and were more prone to rupture — … Reproductive health Placenta praevia A pregnancy condition where the placenta lies low in the womb, covering or near the cervix, which can cause bleeding — m… Reproductive health Polycystic ovary syndrome A common hormonal condition causing irregular periods, signs of raised male-type hormones such as acne or excess hair, a… Reproductive health Polyhydramnios Too much fluid around the baby in the womb during pregnancy — often with no clear cause and no problems, but sometimes l… Reproductive health Pre-eclampsia A pregnancy condition involving high blood pressure and protein in the urine that can become serious for mother and baby… Reproductive health Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) When the ovaries stop working normally before the age of 40, causing menopausal symptoms and affecting fertility — manag… Reproductive health Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Physical and emotional symptoms in the days before a period that ease once it starts — managed with lifestyle measures f… Reproductive health Prostate cancer The most common cancer in men, often slow-growing and treatable — where symptoms may be absent early, so men should be a… Reproductive health Round ligament pain A common, harmless sharp or aching pain low in the bump or groin during pregnancy, caused by stretching of the ligaments… Reproductive health Stillbirth The loss of a baby before or during birth after 24 weeks of pregnancy — a devastating experience where compassionate car… Reproductive health Testicular pain Pain in one or both testicles, which has many causes — most treatable — but sudden severe pain is an emergency needing i… Reproductive health Testicular torsion A surgical emergency in which a testicle twists and cuts off its own blood supply, causing sudden severe pain — it needs… Reproductive health Undescended testicle When a baby boy's testicle has not moved down into the scrotum, common in newborns (especially if premature) — usually c… Reproductive health Uterine fibroids Common non-cancerous growths of muscle in or around the womb that can cause heavy periods, pain or pressure — managed wi… Reproductive health Vaginal cancer A rare cancer of the vagina, often linked to HPV, whose symptoms include unusual bleeding or discharge — so these should… Reproductive health Vaginal dryness Dryness, soreness, itching and discomfort of the vaginal tissues — very common after the menopause when oestrogen levels… Reproductive health Vaginal thrush A common and usually harmless yeast infection of the vagina and vulva causing itching, soreness and a thick white discha… Reproductive health Vaginismus An involuntary tightening of the muscles around the vagina that makes penetration painful or impossible — a treatable co… Reproductive health Vaginitis Inflammation or irritation of the vagina, causing itching, discomfort or changes in discharge — usually due to common, t… Reproductive health Varicocele Enlarged veins within the scrotum, similar to varicose veins in the leg — common and often harmless, but sometimes causi… Reproductive health Vulval cancer A rare cancer of the external female genitals, causing symptoms such as a persistent itch, lump or sore — so persistent … Reproductive health Vulvodynia Persistent, unexplained pain or discomfort of the vulva (the area around the opening of the vagina) — a real and treatab…
Medicine classes
Medicines for the women’s health (6)
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Bladder antimuscarinics Women's health Calm an overactive bladder and urgency — weighed against anticholinergic side-effects.… Combined hormonal contraception Women's health Oestrogen-plus-progestogen contraception — highly effective, with specific eligibility checks.… Emergency contraception Women's health Prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure — and the sooner, the better.… Long-acting reversible contraception Women's health Highly effective, low-maintenance contraception that lasts months to years and is quickly reversible.… Menopausal hormone therapy (HRT) Women's health Relieves menopausal symptoms and protects bone — with an individualised benefit–risk discussion.… Progestogen-only contraception Women's health Oestrogen-free contraception suitable when combined methods are not — including while breastfeeding.…
By active ingredient
Common women’s health medicines by name
Individual, dose-free guides to specific active ingredients (and their brands) in this area:
Clinical formulas & tools
Calculators used in this area
Risk scores and formulas that inform assessment and treatment decisions for the women’s health:
Answers
Women’s health: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for the women’s health?
This system includes 6 medicine classes — such as bladder antimuscarinics, combined hormonal contraception, emergency contraception, long-acting reversible contraception. Each links to a full, dose-free guide covering what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects and interactions.
Which conditions affect the women’s health?
Common conditions in this area include Adenomyosis, Amenorrhoea (absent periods), Androgen insensitivity syndrome, Bacterial vaginosis, Bartholin's cyst and more. Each condition page shows the medicine classes used to treat it and why.
Do these pages give doses?
No. Every page on this site is dose-free. We explain which medicines are used and why, but doses depend on the individual and the exact product — always confirm with your prescriber, the BNF and the product labelling.
Is this a substitute for medical advice?
No — it is education and reference only. It helps you understand this body system and its treatments, but decisions about your own care should always be made with a qualified clinician.
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