A patient consults with their GP

Persistent, heavy menstrual bleeding

Statewide referral criteria

Specialty: Gynaecology
Age group: Adult

Direct to an emergency department that can provide a gynaecology assessment:

  • Uncontrolled vaginal bleeding, or if the person is haemodynamically unstable

Criteria for referral to public hospital specialist clinic services

  • Persistent, heavy menstrual bleeding that has not responded to adequate trial of medical treatment.

Information to be included in the referral

Information that must be provided

  • Findings from physical examination
  • Past medical history (e.g. diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome)
  • Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound results. (Transabdominal pelvic ultrasound results can be provided for people who have not become sexually active, are a survivor of sexual assault or have declined a transvaginal pelvic ultrasound.)
  • Full blood count
  • Iron studies.

Provide if available

  • Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
  • Most recent human papillomavirus (HPV) and liquid-based cytology (LBC) co-test result or cervical screening test results

Additional comments

The Summary and referral information lists the information that should be included in a referral request.

Referrals should be made to suitable community-based services wherever possible (see 1800 My Options).

Where a public health service also operates a community health service or GP clinic, demand for reproductive health services should be met through these GP clinics.

Cervical screening test results may be provided from either self-collected or clinician collected samples.

Where appropriate and available the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.

Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for

Not applicable.

Updated

Where to get help

Patients
For information about your specific medical condition, care pathway and/or wait times, please contact your GP or health service that you have been referred to.

General Practitioners
If your query relates to a referral for a specialist clinic, please contact the relevant health service directly or refer to their website for guidance.

For all other queries
Email plannedcare@health.vic.gov.au.