📋 What’s changed in women’s health in 2025
There have been some significant updates to Medicare and the PBS this year that directly benefit women:
- Yaz and Yasmin oral contraceptives are now PBS-listed for the first time in 30 years — significantly reducing out-of-pocket costs for around 50,000 women annually
- Ryeqo (a combination treatment for endometriosis) is now PBS-listed, making it more affordable for women managing endometriosis
- Expanded Medicare coverage for menopause consultations and hormone therapy management
- 11 new Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics have opened nationally, bringing the total to 33
Ask your GP at Southport Metro whether any of these changes affect your current treatment or options.
Not sure if the new changes affect you? Book a chat with one of our GPs and we’ll work through it together.
Book an appointmentWomen’s health services at Southport Metro
Our GPs provide a full range of women’s health services in one place, so you don’t need multiple referrals or separate clinics for different parts of your care.
🔬 Cervical screening
The Cervical Screening Test (CST) replaced the old Pap smear in 2017 and is now recommended every 5 years from age 25. It tests for the human papillomavirus (HPV) which is the main cause of cervical cancer. Don’t put it off — it takes minutes and it saves lives.
💊 Contraception
We provide advice, prescriptions, and fitting for all forms of contraception including the pill, IUD, implant, injection, and emergency contraception. With new PBS listings in 2025, several options are now more affordable than before.
🌡️ Menopause and perimenopause
Hot flushes, sleep disruption, mood changes, and brain fog are common around menopause — but they’re not something you just have to put up with. Our GPs can discuss hormone replacement therapy (HRT), non-hormonal options, and lifestyle strategies.
🩺 PCOS management
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects around 1 in 10 women and can cause irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth, and difficulty conceiving. It’s very manageable with the right support — your GP can coordinate your care and refer to specialists when needed.
🔴 Endometriosis
Endometriosis affects 1 in 9 Australian women and takes an average of 6 to 7 years to diagnose. If you have painful periods, pelvic pain, or pain during sex, don’t dismiss it as normal. Come in and talk to a GP who will take it seriously.
🤰 Preconception and fertility
If you’re thinking about having a baby, a preconception health check is a great starting point. We can check your immunity, discuss folate and supplements, review medications, and address any underlying health conditions before you start trying.
🧠 Mental health
Perinatal anxiety and depression, postnatal mental health, and the mental health impacts of hormonal changes are all areas our GPs understand well. We have onsite psychology and can develop Mental Health Treatment Plans.
🎗️ Breast health
Breast examination, referrals for mammograms, and discussion of your personal breast cancer risk are all part of routine women’s health care. If you’ve noticed any changes, come in promptly — don’t wait for your next scheduled check.
Overdue for a cervical screen, need contraception advice, or want to talk through your options? We’re here 7 days.
Book an appointmentWomen’s health across every life stage
What you need from your GP changes as you get older. Here’s a quick guide to what’s relevant at each stage.
Teens and 20s
Contraception, period health, HPV vaccination, first cervical screen at 25, STI checks, mental health
30s and 40s
Preconception planning, PCOS and endometriosis management, fertility, cervical screening, breast health
50s and beyond
Perimenopause and menopause, HRT, bone density, cardiovascular risk, breast screening, cervical screening until 74
Whatever stage of life you’re at, we can help. Book a women’s health appointment today.
Book nowEndometriosis and PCOS — conditions that deserve more attention
Two of the most common — and most under-recognised — conditions in women’s health are endometriosis and PCOS. Both are highly manageable with the right care, but both are frequently dismissed or delayed in diagnosis.
Signs that are worth talking to a GP about
- Periods that are very painful, heavy, or irregular
- Pelvic pain outside of your period
- Pain during or after sex
- Difficulty conceiving after 12 months of trying
- Acne, excess facial or body hair, or hair thinning
- Bloating that cycles with your period
- Unexplained fatigue
These symptoms are sometimes normalised — by friends, family, and unfortunately sometimes by the medical system. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth getting a proper assessment. Our GPs will take the time to listen.
Been dismissed before? Come and talk to a GP who will actually listen. No referral needed.
Book an appointmentMenopause — it’s not just hot flushes
Perimenopause can start in your early 40s, often well before periods stop. Symptoms vary widely and include disrupted sleep, brain fog, mood changes, joint pain, vaginal dryness, and reduced libido — alongside the hot flushes that most people associate with menopause.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is now recognised as safe and effective for most women when managed appropriately. The outdated concerns about HRT from research done in the early 2000s have largely been revisited — current evidence supports its use for symptom management and long-term bone and cardiovascular health.
If you’re in perimenopause or menopause and managing symptoms on your own, it’s worth having a proper conversation with a GP. There are more options than most people realise.
Managing menopause symptoms? There are more options than most people know about. Come in for a chat.
Book a menopause consultOur female GPs and women’s health specialists
We have several GPs with specific training and interest in women’s health, including a GP with qualifications in sexual and reproductive health.
Dr Nora Cairo
Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners with a Diploma in Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. Specialist interest in women’s health, contraception, and reproductive medicine.
Dr Sarah Morrell
Special interest in women’s health and paediatrics. Experienced in cervical screening, contraception, perimenopause, and the full range of women’s health presentations.
Dr Valerie Tan
Provides a full range of GP services including women’s health. Also speaks Mandarin.
Dr Joanna Hsing
Provides GP care with an interest in integrative approaches including medical acupuncture. Speaks Mandarin and Cantonese.
Want to see a specific GP? Check availability and book directly online.
See who’s availableWhat our GPs can do for you
In one appointment, your GP can:
- Perform or arrange cervical screening
- Prescribe or discuss all forms of contraception including IUD fitting referral
- Assess and manage menopause and perimenopause symptoms including HRT
- Investigate and manage PCOS, endometriosis, and other hormonal conditions
- Refer to gynaecologists, endocrinologists, and specialists when needed
- Arrange breast examination and mammogram referrals
- Develop a Mental Health Treatment Plan if needed
- Coordinate with our onsite dietitian and psychologist for holistic care
- Complete preconception health checks and fertility assessments
Want to see a female GP specifically? Just mention it when booking and we’ll match you with the right doctor.
Book with a female GPRelated services at our clinic
Your health, on your terms
Whether it’s a routine check or something you’ve been putting off — our GPs are here for you. Open 7 days at Australia Fair Metro, Southport. No referral needed.
Medical disclaimer
The information on this page is intended as general health information only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Every person’s health situation is different — please consult one of our GPs or a qualified health professional before making decisions about your health. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 000 immediately. Southport Metro Medical Centre makes every effort to ensure the information on this page is current and accurate, but health guidelines and recommendations can change. Last reviewed June 2026.