Amenorrhoea is the term for the lack of menstrual function in women. This means that the woman experiences no menstrual bleeds and will be infertile. Amenorrhoea may be primary amenorrhoea or secondary amenorrhoea. Primary amenorrhoea is when the woman has never had a menstrual cycle or menstrual bleed. It occurs in about 3 in 1000...

What is infertility? Infertility is a condition or disease affecting the reproductive system that prevents successful pregnancy. It is typically diagnosed after a couple has had 6 to 12 months of unprotected, well-timed (around the time of ovulation) intercourse without a pregnancy occurring or when a woman has been unable to carry a pregnancy that...

Allergies – What are they? Allergies (also known as ‘hypersensitivities’) are overreactions of the immune system to substances that do not cause reactions in most people. Hypersensitivities are grouped into four types, I, II, III and IV. These classifications are based on what parts of the immune system are activated and how long it takes...

Note: This article addresses diabetes mellitus, not diabetes insipidus. Although the two share the same reference term “diabetes” (which means increased urine production linked to a siphon (the kidneys), diabetes insipidus is much rarer and has a different underlying cause. What is it? Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the level of glucose (sugar)...

What is it? Cancer of the uterine cervix (cervical cancer) is caused by an uncontrolled growth of cells in the cervix. The cervix is the narrowed lower portion of a woman’s uterus (womb). It is shaped like a cone and connects the uterus to the vagina. The uterine cervix is often referred to as the...

Asthma is a chronic (long term) inflammatory lung disease which leads to constriction (narrowing) of the airways. It is not known why this inflammation develops but asthma tends to be more common in those with a family history of asthma, children whose parents were smokers and also in those with a past history of allergic...

Arthritis is a disease characterised by inflammation of one or more joints. This inflammation may be the body’s response to an injury (such as a fracture), an infection (either viral or bacterial), or gradual wear and tear on the joints. Arthritis is also common in the skin disease psoriasis as well as in autoimmune disorders,...

Anaemia is a disease that occurs when the number of red blood cells (RBCs) and/or the amount of haemoglobin found in the red blood cells falls below normal. Red blood cells and the haemoglobin contained within them are necessary for moving oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Without an adequate supply...