Women's health covers a lot of ground, and much of it is easier to talk about with time and privacy. Our women's health service offers unhurried, confidential consultations on everyday and long-term concerns, from contraception and cervical screening to menopause support and pelvic health, with clinicians who look after women at every stage of life.
What you can come to us about
- Periods: heavy, painful, irregular or absent periods, and bleeding between periods or after sex
- Contraception: choosing a method, changing one that does not suit you, and advice before stopping
- Cervical screening: smear tests, and questions about a result you have had
- Menopause and perimenopause: hot flushes, poor sleep, low mood, brain fog, vaginal dryness, and a discussion of the options, hormonal and non-hormonal
- Pelvic health: pelvic pain, bladder leaks, prolapse, recurrent thrush or urine infections
- Breast concerns: a lump, pain or a change in the skin or nipple
- Sexual health: discomfort during sex, loss of libido, testing for infections
What happens at the appointment
The clinician starts by listening: what is happening, how long it has been going on and how it affects your life. An examination is offered only when it would help and only with your agreement, and you can ask for a chaperone or bring someone with you. Tests can often be arranged at the same visit, for example swabs, blood tests for hormones, iron or thyroid, or a pelvic ultrasound scan. You leave with an explanation and a plan, and where a medicine is appropriate, a prescription.
Preparing for your visit
It helps to bring the date of your last period, a note of your cycle over the last few months, the names of any medicines or contraception you use and the date and result of your last smear. For a cervical screening test, book for a day when you are not bleeding. None of this is essential: come as you are if the problem cannot wait.
When it needs more
Some problems need a gynaecologist, a breast clinic or a fertility unit. Our clinicians can arrange the first investigations and a referral, so that you arrive with results in hand. For conception and gynaecological conditions, see also gynaecology and fertility.
Do not wait with these
See a doctor promptly for bleeding after the menopause, a new breast lump, bleeding after sex, persistent bloating or a change that simply does not feel right. Most turn out to have a simple explanation, and checking is always reasonable.
Common questions
Can I ask to see a woman? Tell us when you book and we will arrange it wherever we can.
Is it confidential? Yes. Nothing is shared with your NHS GP, a partner or a family member without your consent, except in the rare situations where the law requires it.
Can I come just to talk things through? Yes. A consultation does not have to include an examination or a test.
