Dear Doc Kate 1

As always, the lovely Dr Kate is in the house ready and waiting to answer all your medical concerns. This month she discusses the problem of over-produced prostaglandins and the dreaded period pain!

Dr Kate specialises in women's reproductive health and is a representative of MSIA - Marie Stopes International Australia. As the resident doctor at FEMAIL, she is here to advise and answer all your medical queries.

MSIA is part of the http://www.mariestopes.org.au Marie Stopes International partnership which works in 39 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe. Collectively they are a movement advocating for reproductive rights and providing services that improve and save peoples lives, making a real difference. Marie Stopes in Australia, plays a pivotal role in facilitating this within the Asia Pacific region.

So if you have a question or a concern - go to:

Dear Doctor




Dear Worried,

Don't reach for the panic button quite yet. It is quite normal for it to take longer than a few months for a couple to conceive. Actually about 50% of normal couples having unprotected sex at least twice a week, will probably become pregnant in 6 months, 80% in 1 year, and 90% in 2 years.

What you need to get pregnant is:

1. The right number of sperm at the right place at the right time
2. Ovulation of an egg
3. Patent tubes for the sperm and the egg to meet up.

The right time for sperm - is around the middle of your cycle (between periods) which is around the time most women ovulate. Sometimes women who take the pill take a few months to begin ovulating again - however if you are having regular periods, this is a good sign that you are ovulating.

If you are after further information, you and your partner should see your local doc. and discuss the issue further. You should also be aware of the few things that you can do to optimize the health of your baby - even before you conceive - see question 3.




Dear Lumpy,

What it sounds like is that you have a Bartholin's gland infection. Every women has glands near the entrance to the vagina, sometimes these glands can become infected, and swell up. These can become uncomfortable - and if they become quite infected - may need antibiotics, and sometimes may require draining of the infection.

I'd suggest having a check-up so that you can be sure firstly of what it is, and so that you can discuss if there is anything more you can do to prevent it swelling up again, and to have prompt treatment if it does.




Dear Mum to be,

The basic things to do are to keep healthy! Eat well, with good weight control, and regular exercise, and less of the bad stuff like smoking, alcohol and drugs.

It is also generally recommended to have folic acid supplements for about 3-4 months before conception, and continue on for about 12 weeks afterwards.

A few infections to avoid include Rubella - so you can check that you have had vaccination from this before you get pregnant, and also one called Lysteria. Lysteria can be bad for your baby and can be avoided by not eating unpastuerised dairy products, soft cheeses, and raw seafood.

If you have any significant family history, past or ongoing illnesses or are currently on any medications, then you should make sure you are fully aware of how this may or may not affect you and your baby.
The main risk associated with being older is the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome. There are also other genetic conditions that can be tested for during the pregnancy - including neural tube defects, which the folic acid is thought to reduce the risk of.

Also good to have a doctor that you trust and like from the start!