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Sexual health

HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis: a guide for primary care

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an oral combination tablet, taken either daily or around... View Article

May 2024

Contraception: which option for which patient?

Prescribing contraception is a core part of primary care practice. A patient’s co-morbidities and concurrent medicines can influence... View Article

July 2021

Condoms: advising on the options

Condoms are the only form of contraception that protects against both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy.... View Article

July 2021

Oral contraceptives: selecting a pill

Oral contraceptive pills are a safe and effective contraceptive method widely used in New Zealand. For patients using a combined... View Article

July 2021

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injections: an intermediate option

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injections are a form of hormonal contraception administered every 13 weeks for optimal effect.... View Article

July 2021

Long-acting contraceptives: implants and IUCs

Long-acting reversible contraceptives include progestogen (levonorgestrel) implants and copper or levonorgestrel intrauterine... View Article

July 2021

News item: access to levonorgestrel intrauterine devices/systems widened

From 1 November, 2019, levonorgestrel intrauterine devices (IUDs; also known as levonorgestrel intrauterine systems or LIUS),... View Article

October 2019

Emerging issues in the management of chlamydia and gonorrhoea

New evidence suggests that a seven-day course of doxycycline may be more appropriate than a stat dose of azithromycin as a first-line... View Article

April 2019

Mycoplasma genitalium: considerations for testing and treatment in primary care

Mycoplasma genitalium infection is a potential cause of urethritis in males and cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in... View Article

April 2019

Syphilis rates continue to rise

New Zealand is in the midst of a syphilis epidemic. Men who have sex with men are at the greatest risk, however, cases among heterosexual... View Article

April 2019

HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): a how-to guide

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily oral tablet that, when taken as prescribed, can... View Article

April 2019

HPV vaccination: getting the programme back on track

Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection provides safe and effective protection from genital warts, most cervical... View Article

March 2019

Access to HPV vaccine widened

The human papillomavirus virus (HPV) vaccine reduces the incidence of HPV-related diseases, including genital warts and cervical... View Article

November 2016

Addressing mental health and wellbeing in young people

This is the first of a series of articles which will examine the diverse theme of mental health in young people. Adolescence is... View Article

October 2015

Prescribing testosterone in ageing males: why you shouldn’t read this article

Testosterone supplementation may be an appropriate treatment for males with clinical features of androgen deficiency and early... View Article

August 2015

News Updates

Reminder: Most broad-spectrum antibiotics do not interact with combined oral contraceptives | Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir... View Article

June 2014

A “how-to guide” for a sexual health check-up

Good sexual health is about achieving both physical and psychological wellbeing, free from disease, coercion or abuse. Reaching... View Article

April 2013

Syphilis: testing for “the great imitator”

Over one hundred people per year in New Zealand are diagnosed with syphilis. While this only represents a small number of patients,... View Article

June 2012

Contraception in early adolescence

Young people are having sex. Advice about sexual health and contraception should be considered for all adolescents, including... View Article

April 2011

Selected topics in Men’s health

Erectile dysfunction | Gynaecomastia | Late-onset hypogonadism | Delayed puberty in males View Article

September 2010

Selected topics in Women’s health

Laboratory investigation of amenorrhoea | Polycystic ovary syndrome | An overview of dysfunctional uterine bleeding | Perimenopause... View Article

September 2010

Non-occupational exposure to Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Rates of HIV infection are increasing in New Zealand, especially among men who have sex with other men. GPs are often the first... View Article

December 2009

Lets talk about sex

There are many reasons why sexual health is not discussed during a general practice consultation, such as lack of time and possible... View Article

April 2009

Treatment of sexually transmitted and other genital infections

A summary of pharmacological treatment and management of common sexually transmitted and other genital infections including chlamydia,... View Article

April 2009

Testing for STIs - four case scenarios

A series of four case studies that illustrate the importance of patient history and background when testing for STIs. View Article

March 2009

Sexually transmitted infections - what testing is needed and when?

This article provides an overview of some infections affecting the genital area, including some non-sexually transmitted infections.... View Article

March 2009

Sexually transmitted infections in New Zealand

Chlamydia remains the most commonly diagnosed STI in New Zealand, according to the annual STI Surveillance Report. Although not... View Article

February 2009

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common disorder that affects many New Zealand men, with both organic and psychogenic causes. Persistent... View Article

April 2008

Syphilis

Resurgence of syphilis in NZ? Syphilis had been considered a rarity in New Zealand, but over the last few years the ESR Annual... View Article

March 2007

Substance misuse in adolescents: alcohol, cannabis & other drugs

The risk of injury or death during adolescence is two to three times higher than it is during childhood. The main reason for this... View Article

February 2012