Dr Fiona Li is a clinical researcher with an interest in improving patient outcomes and evidence-based care in benign gynaecology. Her current research is in menopause and its impact, and she is currently completing a PhD on management of postmenopausal vaginal symptoms. Her research has contributed novel data to evidence for energy-based treatments for vaginal symptoms associated with menopause which has guided change in national and international clinical guidelines and regulations. She is also exploring the clinical relevance of patient, physician and laboratory reported outcomes, and working with health economists to understand what is most important to patients in management of their symptoms. Her vision is to help guide patients and clinicians in management of vaginal symptoms of menopause, promote open conversations and awareness, and empower individuals navigating this significant life stage.
Fiona is also a current Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialty trainee (RANZCOG) and Conjoint Associate Lecturer with UNSW Sydney, and is passionate about teaching, improving quality of O&G training and education and advocating for junior doctor wellbeing.
Li F; Shyamsunder A; Hawes EN; Deans R; Abbott J, 2025, 'A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Energy-Based Devices for Postmenopausal Sexual Dysfunction.', J Minim Invasive Gynecol, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2025.05.019
Journal articles | 2025
Li FG; Abbott J, 2025, 'Laser for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: what we know and what we need to know', Climacteric, ahead-of-print, pp. 1 - 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2025.2455186
Journal articles | 2025
Li FG; Knapman BL; Nesbitt-Hawes E; Deans R; Abbott J, 2025, 'The effects of repeat fractional CO2 laser for postmenopausal vaginal symptoms following unblinding from a double-blind RCT.', Climacteric, pp. 1 - 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2025.2517131
Journal articles | 2024
Knapman BL; Li FG; Deans R; Nesbitt-Hawes E; Maheux-Lacroix S; Abbott J, 2024, 'Botulinum Toxin for the Management of Pelvic Floor Tension Myalgia and Persistent Pelvic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis', Obstetrics and Gynecology, 143, pp. E7 - E17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000005388
Nguyen K; McCormack L; Deans R; Nesbitt-Hawes E; Knapman B; Li F; Lim C; Abbott JA, 2024, 'A Prospective Study of Bladder Function Following Endometriosis Surgery With Up to Eight years Follow-up', Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 31, pp. 205 - 212.e4, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2023.11.020
Journal articles | 2023
Li FG; Abbott JA, 2023, '‘Vaginal Laser Therapy for GSM/VVA: Where We Stand Now–A Review by the EUGA Working Group on Laser’', Climacteric, 26, pp. 638, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2023.2259791
Journal articles | 2023
Li FG; Fuchs T; Deans R; McCormack L; Nesbitt-Hawes E; Abbott J; Farnsworth A, 2023, 'Vaginal epithelial histology before and after fractional CO2 laser in postmenopausal women: a double-blind, sham-controlled randomized trial', American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 229, pp. 278 - 278.e9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2023.05.005
Journal articles | 2023
McCormack L; Song S; Budden A; Ma C; Nguyen K; Li FG; Lim CY; Maheux-Lacroix S; Arnold A; Deans R; Won HR; Knapman B; Nesbitt-Hawes E; Abbott JA, 2023, 'Immediate versus delayed urinary catheter removal following non-hysterectomy benign gynaecological laparoscopy: a randomised trial', BJOG an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 130, pp. 1112 - 1119, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17442
Journal articles | 2022
Li FG; Maheux-Lacroix S; Deans R; Nesbitt-Hawes E; Budden A; Nguyen K; Lim CY; Song S; McCormack L; Lyons SD; Segelov E; Abbott JA, 2022, 'Effect of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser vs Sham Treatment on Symptom Severity in Women With Postmenopausal Vaginal Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial', Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey, 77, pp. 404 - 405, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ogx.0000852724.14994.6d
Journal articles | 2022
McCormack L; Nesbitt-Hawes E; Deans R; Alonso A; Lim C; Li F; Knapman B; Abbott JA, 2022, 'A review of gynaecological surgical practices for trainees and certified specialists in Australia by volume using MBS and AIHW databases', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 62, pp. 574 - 580, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajo.13523
Journal articles | 2021
Li F; Picard-Fortin V; Maheux-Lacroix S; Deans R; Nesbitt-Hawes E; McCormack L; Abbott J, 2021, 'The Efficacy of Vaginal Laser and Other Energy-based Treatments on Genital Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis', Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 28, pp. 668 - 683, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2020.08.001
Journal articles | 2021
Li FG; Maheux-Lacroix S; Deans R; Nesbitt-Hawes E; Budden A; Nguyen K; Lim CY; Song S; McCormack L; Lyons SD; Segelov E; Abbott JA, 2021, 'Effect of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser vs Sham Treatment on Symptom Severity in Women with Postmenopausal Vaginal Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial', JAMA Journal of the American Medical Association, 326, pp. 1381 - 1389, http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.14892
Journal articles | 2020
Li FG; Deans R; Nesbitt-Hawes E; Budden AK; McCormack L; Maheux-Lacroix S; Segelov E; Lyons SD; Abbott JA, 2020, 'Fractionated Laser for Vaginal Atrophy Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study', Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 27, pp. S69 - S69, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2020.08.590
Journal articles | 2017
Maheux-Lacroix S; Li F; Bujold E; Nesbitt-Hawes E; Deans R; Abbott J, 2017, 'Cesarean Scar Pregnancies: A Systematic Review of Treatment Options', Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 24, pp. 915 - 925, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2017.05.019
Journal articles | 2017
Maheux-Lacroix S; Li F; Bujold E; Nesbitt-Hawes E; Deans R; Abbott J, 2017, 'Cesarean Scar Pregnancies: A Systematic Review of Treatment Options', Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 24, pp. S17 - S17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2017.08.057
Journal articles | 2017
Maheux-Lacroix S; Li F; Laberge PY; Abbott J, 2017, 'A Systematic Review of Imaging for Polyps and Leiomyomas in Women with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding', Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 24, pp. S60 - S61, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2017.08.114
Journal articles | 2016
Maheux-Lacroix S; Li F; Laberge PY; Abbott J, 2016, 'Imaging for Polyps and Leiomyomas in Women With Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: A Systematic Review.', Obstet Gynecol, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000001776
Preprints | 2022
McCormack L; Song S; Budden A; Ma C; Nguyen K; Li F; Lim CY; Maheux-Lacroix S; Arnold A; Deans R; Won H; Knapman B; Hawes EN; Abbott J, 2022, Bladder Care Following Benign Non-Hysterectomy Gynecological Laparoscopy: A Randomized Clinical Trial, http://dx.doi.org/10.22541/au.166356908.88072835/v1
AGES Research Grant 2022, Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy & Surgery Society
NSW State Committee Trainee Research Grant 2022, RANZCOG
Winner, Women’s Health Publication Prize 2024, HDR category; UNSW Discipline of Women’s Health
Best Trainee Presentation; Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy & Surgery (AGES) Society 34th Annual Scientific Meeting 2024, Gold Coast, Australia
Early Career Research Scholarship 2022, Avant Foundation
First place in Clinical Division & People’s Choice in Clinical Division; 30th Tow Awards 2022, Tow Committee Randwick Clinical Campus
PhD top-up Scholarship 2022, Tow Committee, Randwick Hospital Campus
Best Free Communications; Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy & Surgery (AGES) Society 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting 2022, Melbourne, Australia
Second prize; UNSW 3 Minute Thesis Competition Finals 2022, UNSW Sydney: https://youtu.be/u9jNE1QuPCg
First prize; UNSW Faculty of Medicine 3 Minute Thesis Competition 2022, UNSW Sydney
Excellence in Higher Degree Research Award 2022; School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW Sydney
Outstanding New Presenter; Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy & Surgery (AGES) Society 30th Annual Scientific Meeting 2020, Sydney, Australia
