Gynaecologist Dr Margreet Stegeman will speak about vulva health at this year’s Women's Health Information Day on Sunday.
Photo by
Bree Harding
“Women are often so busy caring for others that their own health takes a back seat,” gynaecologist Dr Deb Karmakar said.
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Dr Karmakar is one of many specialists giving his time to this year’s Shepparton Women’s Health Centre Women’s Health Information Day.
The 11th annual event will be held this Sunday afternoon, October 18, at Kialla Golf Club.
Dr Karmakar will be speaking on the topic of pelvic floor health.
“We have gynaecologists, a pelvic floor physiotherapist, a GP and a paediatrician contributing this year, offering a broad perspective on women’s and children’s health across different stages of life,” he said.
“From pelvic floor and vulval health, to physiotherapy, motherhood and children’s wellbeing, it’s about connecting the different aspects of healthcare rather than looking at them in isolation.”
Gynaecologist Dr Deb Karmakar (left), pictured with Shepparton Women's Health Centre practice nurses Maddison Barrett, Nicole Brannigan and Kathy Cahill, will speak about pelvic floor health at this year’s Women’s Health Information Day.
Dr Karmakar said many women often didn’t have their health concerns investigated because of shame, stigma or simply not knowing where to turn.
“I’ll be discussing pelvic floor weakness and pelvic organ prolapse,” he said.
“These common conditions can affect very personal aspects of life — bladder and bowel function, sexual wellbeing, confidence and everyday activities.”
Dr Karmakar said pelvic floor problems often followed childbirth and came with ageing, but they were also found more in farming communities where many have a history of physically demanding work and heavy lifting.
“Many women quietly accept them as inevitable,” he said.
“I’ll touch on what the evidence tells us about these activities, including high-impact exercise, and how women can remain active while looking after their pelvic health.
“Just because something is common doesn’t mean you have to put up with it.
“Pelvic floor problems may not be life-threatening, but they can certainly be life-limiting.”
Gynaecologist and Shepparton Women’s Health Centre partner Dr Margreet Stegeman gets involved with the women’s health day as a way to give back to the community.
“As a women’s health centre, I find it important to make the women of the Goulburn Valley as health literate as possible so women can speak up for themselves,” Dr Stegeman said.
“Women’s health is and has been neglected for far too long, and the more you know about your body, the better and easier it will be to voice your concerns and stand up for yourself.”
Dr Stegeman will be talking about the vulva area; an area she says is not often talked about.
“I’ll talk about anatomy in relation to issues that can arise and what good vulva hygiene is,” she said.
Women’s physiotherapist Dr Fiona Wieland will also speak on the day about “gadgets and gizmos”, while Q&A panellists gynaecologist Dr Ali Mohamed, general practitioner Dr Jessica Hetherington and paediatrician Dr Saghi Elmi will discuss women’s and children’s health in their ‘Bump to Babes and Beyond’ segment, with the MC for the afternoon general practitioner Dr Cristina Tolentino.
The event doubles as a MND Victoria fundraiser, to honour the memory of Karen Gladigau, a much-loved member of the Shepparton community and the SWHC team.
It starts at 2pm on Sunday, October 18.
Afternoon tea provided by Soroptimist International Shepparton will be available, with a glass of bubbles offered on arrival.
There will also be raffle tickets, fresh flowers and MND merchandise for sale.
Organisers would appreciate a $5 donation to the cause.
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