Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only. It has been compiled by faculty members of the UBC Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and reflects current knowledge and clinical practice in the field. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Our department supports a variety of initiatives and programs to improve public awareness, patient empowerment, and access to specialized care in women’s health. Explore the resources below for more information.
Chronic Pelvic Pain/Endometriosis
Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome can result when the pain has lasted for a long time and has become more severe than would be expected. As the woman tries to cope with the pain, she may undergo emotional and behavioural changes that may affect her relationships, mood, sleep patterns, appetite, and physical activity. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a combination of physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, and changes in behaviour. For more info visit: pelvicpain.org.
Gynaecologists who are experienced in working with endometriosis may be able to offer a preliminary diagnosis of endometriosis based on symptoms, pain mapping exams, and/or ultrasound findings. At our centre we offer advanced dynamic pelvic ultrasound which can allow the detection and diagnosis of advanced stages of endometriosis (deep disease and/or endometrioma cysts in the ovaries). We can also diagnose other associated painful conditions such as adenomyosis.
However, some types of endometriosis (superficial peritoneal) cannot be seen on ultrasound and the only way to definitively diagnose that type of endometriosis is through a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy.
Please visit here for patient resources: http://www.bcwomens.ca/health-info/sexual-reproductive-health/pelvic-pain-endometriosis#Patient–Resources
Gynecologic Cancer Initiative (GCI)
This is a province wide effort that brings together an interdisciplinary research team of scientists, clinicians, people with lived and living experience, and trainees. United by a shared mission, the GCI aims to accelerate transformative research in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship of gynecologic cancers to reduce the incidence, death and suffering by 50% by 2034. Central to this mission are GCI’s initiatives designed to share accessible, evidence-based information across the gynecologic cancer continuum.
The Gynecologic Oncology Sharing Hub (GOSH) Podcast is a platform for honest, evidence-based conversations about gynecologic cancers. Inspired by patient partner and cervical cancer survivor Nicole Keay, the podcast is co-hosted by Carly Allen (patient partner) and Sabrina Loyd-Ellis (MSc trainee), and produced by Sabine Halabi (PhD trainee). Through personal stories and expert insights, GOSH amplifies the voices of patients, survivors, researchers, and clinicians. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform. Video recordings are available on the GCI YouTube channel.
A 4-part video series co-created with patient partners and tailored for a primary audience of patients and families; the series brings research-informed content to life with empathy and awareness. Each episode explores a critical aspect of the gynecologic cancer journey, spanning prevention through to survivorship. Topics include hereditary cancer diagnoses, risk-reducing opportunistic salpingectomy for ovarian cancer, a patient’s experience with vulvar cancer, and the role of molecular classification in informing endometrial cancer treatment.
Gynecologic Cancers: Your Journey
This online resource offers guidance for patients navigating gynecologic cancer, combining practical information with expert- and patient-informed insights. It was developed collaboratively by GCI Principal Investigators and the Patient and Family Advisory Council and is hosted on the BC Cancer website.
GCI Instagram Follow GCI on Instagram for updates on the latest research, upcoming events, and community engagement initiatives.
Gynaecologic Cancer Prevention and Survivorship
At the Gynecologic Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Clinic, we are committed to caring for individuals who have experienced gynecologic cancer and those seeking prevention. Our philosophy is that patients should not only survive cancer treatment but also thrive in their post-treatment lives.
Patient Services and Programs – https://gpscancerprogram.org/
Support Services – https://gpscancerprogram.org/services/find-support/
Pregnancy and Parenting Resources
Child Health BC, in partnership with Perinatal Services BC, is working to make two important provincial resources more widely available through OBGYN clinics:
📘 Baby’s Best Chance – a guide to pregnancy and early parenting
📙 Toddler’s First Steps – a resource for families navigating the toddler years
These evidence-based books are widely used in public health and provide practical, accessible information for families. Expanding distribution through OBGYN practices will help ensure more patients have access to these valuable supports.
Learn more about the resources: Child Health BC.
Sexual Health and Genito-Pelvic Pain
The Sexual Health and Genito-Pelvic pain knowledge Empowerment Hub (SHAPE) is a pan-Canadian initiative dedicated to addressing the barriers to evidence-based information and treatment for sexual difficulties and genito-pelvic pain that affect the lives of countless individuals, especially women and gender-diverse people.
For further information – https://shapehub.ca/
Statement on Information Update on Autism and Vaccines
2 December 2025
The Reproductive Infectious Diseases section of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UBC wishes to dispel misinformation that has come from the US Secretary of Health, Dr. Robert F. Kennedy, via messaging from a newly appointed leadership at the US Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta.
In accordance with the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine and the Infectious Diseases Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, (Joint SMFM and IDSOG Statement on CDC Website Information Update on Autism and Vaccines – Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine) we want to reassure patients and care providers that vaccines are safe and highly effective. They do not cause autism.
The vaccines that have been studied and are particularly recommended in pregnancy for the prevention of adverse health outcomes for both the mother and the infant are the influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines in pregnancy for infant protection, Tdap (pertussis vaccine) and the RSVpreF vaccine are also safe and recommended. There is no evidence after many decades of research in vaccines in pregnancy and childhood that there is a link between vaccines and autism.
| Joint SMFM and IDSOG Statement on CDC Website Information Update on Autism and Vaccines |
| The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) and the Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology (IDSOG) are deeply troubled by the inaccurate and misleading information regarding vaccines and autism recently posted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. This action to further discredit the safety and effectiveness of vaccines appears to be part of a calculated disinformation campaign to sow distrust about vaccination among parents, pregnant people, and the general public. In fact, multiple reviews of the existing credible scientific research by experts over decades have repeatedly found no evidence that autism is caused by or related to vaccines given during pregnancy or early childhood. Evidence-based recommendations are based on well-designed scientific research that includes rigorous, peer-reviewed studies from reliable sources and is free from ideological bias. Even a small decline in overall maternal immunizations leads to increases in preterm birth, severe maternal illness, and infant hospitalizations. This ongoing, ill-conceived assault against science, public health, and evidence-based medicine will inevitably lead to rising rates of preventable illnesses and deaths among children and all Americans. |
Deborah Money, CM, BSc, MD, FRCSC, FCAHS
Professor & Head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Dr Victor Gomel Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
University of British Columbia
Clinician Scientist, Women’s Health Research Institute
Julianne van Schalkwyk MD, MSc, FRCSC
Site Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre
Clinical Professor
Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Infectious Diseases
University of British Columbia
Chelsea Elwood, B.M.ScH, M.Sc, MD,FRCSC
Medical Lead, Oak Tree Clinic
Antimicrobial Stewardship
BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre
Clinical Assistant Professor
University of British Columbia
Jeffrey Wong MD, FRCSC
Clinical Assistant Professor
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
University of British Columbia
Reproductive Infectious Diseases Specialist
B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Centre
Vulvar Health
The BC Centre for Vulvar Health (BCCVH) offers comprehensive care for individuals with complex and chronic vulvar issues. Conditions that affect vulvar health can also affect other aspects of health – including physical, emotional, sexual, and social. We believe that treatment from a multidisciplinary perspective is critical to improving the lives of affected individuals. Not only do we offer clinical care including medical and surgical treatments, we also offer educational interventions, pelvic floor physiotherapy, psychological and sexual therapy.
Vulvar conditions and patient handouts can be found here: https://www.bcvulvarhealth.ca/landing/vulvar-skin-conditions