News – Page 6 – Women's Health by Dr Lee Say Fatt

Benign ovarian cysts

June 15, 2021September 20, 2020 by Dr Lee Say Fatt

The ovaries are the female reproductive organs that contain eggs and will release them on a regular basis (usually monthly in the majority of the women). It also produces female and male hormones. An ovarian cyst is abnor¬mal growth in the ovary and can be either solid or cystic. It can be divided into either a benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) type. Benign or non-cancerous cysts do not invade neighboring tissue the way malignant cyst does. The exceptionally large ovarian cyst often turns out to be benign.

The term ovarian cyst refers to abnormal growth in the ovary that contains mainly fluid, although occasionally some solid component may be present as well.

Symptoms and signs

Breast Cancer: The importance of Self Breast Examination

January 9, 2021September 10, 2020 by Dr Lee Say Fatt

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women. In Malaysia, the overall lifetime risk of developing Breast cancer is 1 in 27, with 1 in 22 for Chinese, 1 in 23 for Indians and 1 in 30 for Malays.

Breast cancer is curable if detected early and treated appropriately. One must be mindful of how our breast feels. What is normal for one person, may not be normal for someone else. Only YOU know what is normal for You. Hence Self Breast Examination (SBE) is particularly important. It is quite easy to do and can be done by any woman independently. Self Breast Examination is best done 10 days after one’s period or if you are post-menopause, then pick any day of the month as a routine.

Steps to check your breast

Step 1 – Stand in front of the mirror and look at your breast (picture 1). Look for changes in shape and size, any dimpling in the skin, any hyper pigmentation. Look at your nipple and look for skin changes. Raised both your hands above your head and look to see if your breast moves symmetrically. Then bend forward to see the shape and size again

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

September 23, 2020August 28, 2020 by Dr Lee Say Fatt

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is an x-ray examination that is used to evaluate the uterine cavity and to check for patency of the fallopian tubes (whether the tubes are blocked).

INDICATIONS (REASONS FOR PROCEDURE)

Infertility (difficulty in conceiving).
Confirm tubal and uterine abnormalities.
Recurrent miscarriages.
Follow-up to some surgical procedures.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS TO THE PROCEDURE

Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Pregnancy.
Recent curettage or active genital tract infection.

Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)

September 23, 2020August 9, 2020 by Dr Lee Say Fatt

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus (womb) resulting in inability to become pregnant and immediate cessation of menstruation. It is a common operation and may involve removal of the cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes at the same time.
Please discuss all aspects of this surgical procedure, its risks and benefits, and any possible alternative therapies. Your health care provider will help you decide which type of hysterectomy is appropriate for you, depending on your indications for surgery and your medical history.

Types of hysterectomy

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

August 9, 2020July 31, 2020 by Dr Lee Say Fatt

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) refers to a spectrum of clinical problems due to hormonal and metabolic imbalance, which can affect the reproductive and endocrine systems.

How Common?

PCOS affects 5-10% of all women of childbearing age regardless of race or nationality. It may begin during puberty and become more severe with time.

Hysteroscopy (diagnostic and operative)

June 25, 2024July 24, 2020 by Dr Lee Say Fatt

The hysteroscope is a small lighted telescope used for visual examination of the cervix and the uterus to help diagnose and treat abnormalities in the cervical canal or the uterine cavity. If it is used to look for the cause of the presenting problem, it is term as diagnostic hysteroscopy. If it involves some form of surgical procedures such as removal of growths (endometrial polyps or fibroids), removal of the lining or separation of adhesions, then it is called operative hysteroscopy. In many cases, both procedures are done concurrently – the so-called “see and treat” approach.

Reasons for the procedure

Evaluation and treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding.
To look for the displaced and removal of the intrauterine device (IUD).
Evaluation for infertility (difficulty in conceiving) or recurrent miscarriage.
Uterine polyps, fibroids or adhesions (which is called Ashermann’s syndrome).
Obstructed fallopian tubes.
Congenital malformations of the uterus

Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

July 26, 2020July 18, 2020 by Dr Lee Say Fatt

Dr. William Morton demonstrated the first public administration of ether anaesthesia in the operating theatre of the Massachusetts General Hospital on the 16th October 1846
That day is remembered as a milestone in anaesthesia and celebrated as World Anaesthesia Day.
From that date onward, many progresses have been made in the field of anaesthesia, and more so specifically for the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology.

On the 16th August 1897, a German surgeon by the name of Dr. August Bier administered the first spinal anaesthetic. Spinal anaesthesia becomes one of the most popular methods of administering a patient pain free from surgery of the lower limbs, lower abdomen and Caesarean sections and is still widely used.

Suction evacuation for miscarriage

July 24, 2020July 12, 2020 by Dr Lee Say Fatt

Suction & evacuation is a technique of emptying the uterus of a pregnancy. It can be used to terminate a pregnancy or to remove a fetus that has died. It involves the removal of a fetus and accompanying tissue of the pregnancy from the uterus with instrumental evacuation through the vagina and is usually performed in the first trimester of pregnancy.