what you need to know
A selection of links, handouts, book recommendations, and generally useful information. Think something is out of date? Can’t find some information you want? Let us know! We are always updating our website with new resources.
Welcome!
Whether you are a new prenatal patient, gynecology patient, or patient of the sex medicine clinic, we hope you’ll find some useful information here.
Patient forms are found just below. You can also jump right to:
Patient Forms
This questionnaire must be filled out prior to giving birth, having surgery, or being admitted to hospital for any reason.
We ask all our new gynecology patients who have not yet gone through menopause to fill out this form prior to their initial assessment.
We ask all our new gynecology patients who have already gone through menopause to fill out this form prior to their initial assessment.
We ask all our new gynecology patients whose chief concern is prolapse or incontinence to fill out this form prior to their initial assessment.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy
If you need pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment in Peterborough, we highly recommend Pulse Physiotherapy, Holistic Health Physiotherapy, Propel Physiotherapy or Trent Health In Motion! You don’t need a referral in order to make an appointment (although you may need one for insurance coverage). All four practices are also active on social media, where you can get more general tips as well as a sense of what to expect if you do proceed with a full assessment: @pulsepelvicphysio, @holistichealthphysio, @propelphysiotherapy, and @trenthealthinmotion.
Periods & pelvic pain
For good general information, we love yourperiod.ca and gynqi.com.
Problem periods? Some common causes include fibroids, endometriosis, and adenomyosis. This handout provides a great summary of medical management options for problematic periods.
Other gynecologic diseases that we see in our practices include polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial cancer.
For chronic pelvic pain, we often recommend these pain management modules from TAPMI.
Pregnancy loss
What can you expect after a miscarriage or stillbirth? This handout provides some of the essential information that nobody wants to need.
You may also find this handout from the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network useful if you have questions about milk production following a loss.
We are always moved and proud to support the Peterborough Butterfly Run, a local organization which supports families and individuals who have experienced pregnancy loss, infant loss, or infertility.
Prolapse & incontinence
PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE - a brief overview
PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPY -
If you need pelvic floor physiotherapy assessment in Peterborough, we highly recommend Pulse Physiotherapy, Holistic Health Physiotherapy, Trent Health In Motion, or Propel Physiotherapy! You don’t need a referral in order to make an appointment (although you may need one for insurance coverage). All four practices are also active on social media, where you can get more general tips as well as a sense of what to expect if you do proceed with a full assessment: @pulsepelvicphysio, @holistichealthphysio, @trenthealthinmotion, @propelphysiotherapy.
URGENCY INCONTINENCE - also known as overactive bladder
You may also wish to check out some patient resources from the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction here.
Fertility
At Evolve we are general gynecologists and thus not qualified to provide most fertility treatment. We can arrange limited fertility testing and, where appropriate, prescribe oral medications to promote ovulation.
The closest fertility clinics to our office are Lakeridge Fertility in Whitby and Dream Fertility in Oshawa. Of course, we are happy to refer to other fertility clinics as desired.
For patients completing letrozole treatment with us, the cycle worksheet may be found here.
If you are trying to conceive or planning to start trying soon, we recommend starting a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid as this reduces the risk of certain birth defects.
Menopause
Menopauseandu.ca is a fantastic general resource for all things menopause.
We also love these handouts from GYNQI.com:
VASOMOTOR SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE - including, but not limited to, hot flashes
COST OF VMS TREATMENTS - in Canada specifically
GENITOURINARY SYNDROME OF MENOPAUSE
MENOPAUSAL HORMONE THERAPY - previously known as hormone replacement therapy
The Canadian Menopause Society has created a series of videos addressing key topics in menopause:
Non-pharmacologic treatments for vasomotor symptoms of menopause
Benefits of menopausal hormone therapy
Mood and cognition in menopause
Finally, you may wish to check out this handout from the CMS on bioidentical hormone therapy.
Pregnancy & prenatal care
We recommend PregnancyInfo.ca as a great general starting place, but have also prepared and collated a number of more specific handouts which you may find helpful. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this one page handout on pregnancy milestones for a quick overview of routine prenatal care.
IN GENERAL - some information on nutrition and exercise in pregnancy, folic acid supplementation, and mental health
EARLY ON - you may wish to know more about genetic screening or use of ultrasound
MID-PREGNANCY - learn more about blood type & Rh factor, sign up for prenatal classes, screen for gestational diabetes, read about safety of vaccines in pregnancy, consider the pros & cons of travel in pregnancy
THIRD TRIMESTER - be aware of fetal movements, know how to approach pelvic pain in pregnancy, understand how to access maternity leave, write a birth plan, screen for group B streptococcus
LABOUR - know the stages of labour & your options for pain relief, learn and ask questions about oxytocin use, understand what happens at a cesarean section, understand the pros & cons of trial of labour after cesarean section, consider the pros & cons of induction of labour, understand options with regards to assisted vaginal birth
AFTER BIRTH - some information on chest- or breastfeeding, as well as information regarding newborn circumcision
Birth control
Not sure where to start? Try this contraception questionnaire from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. Prefer more of a detailed run-down? Check this out.
And then of course, we can never say enough good things about Sexandu.ca!
What can you expect during an IUD insertion?
Finally - missed a pill or skipped a shot? Not sure if you can still count on your birth control to prevent pregnancy? Or just not sure how to catch back up again? We love Stay On Schedule.
Surgery
What to expect at surgery:
TOTAL LAPAROSCOPIC HYSTERECTOMY
(If you’re getting confused between the different types & routes of hysterectomy, these handouts may help clarify things. Hint: there’s no such thing as a “partial hysterectomy.”)
ANTERIOR & POSTERIOR VAGINAL REPAIR
SACROSPINOUS LIGAMENT SUSPENSION
Sexual medicine
Food for thought:
SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE - In people of all genders, desire is a complex phenomenon!
DIVERSITY MATRIX - How do you see yourself? How has that changed over time?
THEORY OF LOVE - Where do your various relationships fall?
Common sexual dysfunctions:
Some treatment options for sexual dysfunctions:
MINDFULNESS EXERCISES
Mindfulness has been shown to be beneficial in treating many different sexual dysfunctions. The meditations linked here are from Dr. Lori Brotto’s excellent book Better Sex Through Mindfulness. You may wish to start with simple breath, body scan, or bathing meditations. Sexual sensation, pleasurable touch, and couples’ meditations are more specific. Genital pain meditations may be helpful for those with sexual pain.
Some classic sex medicine literature:
GARDEN OF DESIRES - Please note we do not receive any money if you choose to purchase this, or any, book. It is listed here for your interest and education.
