Oxford Women's Health

05/08/2026

02/08/2026

Did you know that the same nerve endings stimulated during or**sm can also trigger pain for people during s*x? Known as dyspareunia, painful s*x is a common condition that can lead to isolation and affect a person’s physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.

In 2007, Australian researchers found that up to 20% of women aged between 16 and 59 experience physical pain during s*x. In addition, it is estimated that up to 85% of post-menopausal women live with Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), which is caused by low estrogen levels.

In the latest Oxford Women’s Health newsletter, Gynaecologist Olivia Smart and Pelvic Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist Niamh Clerkin discuss ways to treat painful s*x and learn to rediscover pleasure.

Openly discussing your s*xual health with a specialist and/or General Practitioner is often the first step to accessing support. If you would like to speak with someone about this topic, please give our friendly team a call on 03 379 0555.

Read more here https://tinyurl.com/4pane682

30/07/2026

You may have heard of the fibremaxxing trend, which encourages people to increase their fibre intake.

While fibre is essential to a healthy diet, Oxford Women’s Health Nutrition Consultant and Dietitian Kate Collins, says people who are trying to raise their fibre intake are often already consuming the right amount. At the other end of the scale, are people who are unsure what constitutes a fibre source. The good news is that increasing fibre in your diet is as simple as eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Rather than increasing fibre all in one go, Kate says it can help to spread it throughout the day. For example, instead of putting chia seeds on your cereal, add them to yoghurt for an afternoon snack.

Read more here: https://www.mindfood.com/article/why-fibermaxxing-is-a-growing-trend/

Read more from Kate here: https://tinyurl.com/4pane682

28/07/2026

According to Oxford Women’s Health Nutrition Consultant and Dietitian Kate Collins, there are four key micronutrients to have on your radar if you live with pelvic pain.

These include iron, vitamin D, magnesium, and Omega-3. If your periods are quite heavy, it is essential to maintain good iron levels and magnesium will help provide muscle contraction support.

Vitamin D is another important nutrient with anti-inflammatory properties. All it takes to ensure adequate levels is 20 minutes of ‘safe sunshine’ a day, so roll up your sleeves and take your lunch break outside.

Omega-3 is also helpful for endometriosis symptoms because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Increasing fish in your diet is a good start, and an Omega-3 supplement can be beneficial for endometriosis patients.

Read more here https://tinyurl.com/4pane682

26/07/2026

Niki Bezzant has shared her surprise at discovering she has osteopenia – a precursor to osteoporosis.

She explains that after menopause, the drop in estrogen can result in quite rapid bone loss. In fact, up to 10% of bone density can be lost in the first five years post-menopause.

Niki is now focusing on strength, impact, and balance training, alongside making sure she gets adequate levels of calcium and vitamin D.

Read the full story, here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/health/360997880/i-thought-i-was-top-it-niki-bezzants-shock-diagnosis

23/07/2026

Known as dyspareunia, painful s*x is a common condition but one that we shouldn’t have to suffer with.

In our latest newsletter, Oxford Women’s Health Gynaecologist Olivia Smart and Pelvic Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist Niamh Clerkin discuss ways to treat painful s*x and how to learn to rediscover pleasure.

Read the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/4pane682

21/07/2026

Did you know there is a connection between the food we eat and pelvic pain?

The bowel and uterus sit side-by-side, so if the bowel becomes full, bloated, or irritated, it can increase the pain from endometriosis or painful periods.

In our latest newsletter, Oxford Women’s Health Nutrition Consultant and Dietitian Kate Collins warns people not to adopt harmful, restrictive diets to ease their symptoms. Instead, it is much better to work alongside a dietitian to get the basics of bowel health right.

Read the full story here: https://tinyurl.com/4pane682

To make an appointment with Kate or our other dietitian Sara Widdowson, please call 03 379 0555 to book an appointment.

19/07/2026

At the end of May, some members of our team travelled to Lake Tekapo to present at Breathe Tekapo.

Gynaecologist Dr Olivia Smart, Dietitian Sara Widdowson, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist Hazel Cutler, and Mindful Physiotherapist Jo Hopkinson-Haigh together delivered an interactive two-hour workshop titled “The Wisdom of Your Body: Exploring, Restoring and Rebalancing Through Menopause and Midlife.”

The session explored some key aspects of women's health during midlife, including understanding hormonal changes, pelvic floor health, the importance of connection and community, and the vital role that protein and fibre play in supporting overall wellbeing and gut health.

The feedback from attendees was very positive and our team were grateful for the opportunity to share knowledge, answer questions, and support women in navigating this important stage of life.

16/07/2026

Oxford Women’s Health’s multidisciplinary approach means people can receive the care and support they need all in one place.

Our team are leaders in the treatment of pelvic pain, endometriosis, abnormal and heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic floor prolapse, and urinary incontinence.

If you would like to learn more about our specialist services, visit our website www.oxfordwomenshealth.co.nz

15/07/2026

The Oxford Women’s Health winter newsletter is out now!

In this issue we:

- Discuss what can be done to support people experiencing painful s*x
- Take a closer look at the link between pelvic pain and diet
- Explain how to tell when perimenopause has begun
- Update you on the name change for PCOS
- And more!

Read the full newsletter here: https://createsend.com/t/d-BE5914968BBCEE452540EF23F30FEDED