private gynaecology
I offer private gynaecological consultations for a wide range of problems on women's health. Please be assured of a friendly and confidential advice.
common gynaecological problems
Heavy periods
This is the one of the commonest problem women experience. It may range from being troublesome to being completely debilitating. It can significantly affect the physical, social and emotional quality of life of a woman. The commonest reason for heavy periods is due to hormonal imbalance. Occasionally it can be caused by fibroids (which are benign swellings from the muscle of the womb). Before the 1990s, hysterectomy was the only treatment available for this condition. Now with advances in medical management and technology, a number of new and less invasive treatment options are available. These are not only effective, but also help to avoid major surgery.
Painful periods
Most women experience mild crampy pain at the onset of periods. This is normal. However, if this pain starts a few days before the onset of periods, last through the periods and persists after the periods cease, it requires further investigations and treatment. It can be caused by a variety of causes including endometriosis (a condition when cells from the lining of your womb get deposited elsewhere in the pelvis), pelvic infection. If you are experiencing debilitating pain with periods that is not relieved by simple painkillers, you should seek specialist advice.
Urinary incontinence
This is a common gynaecological problem and particularly distressing. It refers to the leakage of urine when you don't intend to pass water. This can happen either when coughing, sneezing or laughing (stress incontinence) or leakage associated with a strong desire to pass urine (urge incontinence). The two conditions have different causes and are treated differently. Stress incontinence is due to a weakness in the muscle of the neck of your bladder. Urge incontinence is due to the bladder muscle contracting before the bladder is full. Both conditions are be treated initially by simple measures like advice on fluid intake and targeted pelvic physiotherapy. Some women may require surgery.
Prolapse
This is a common problem affecting many women and the incidence increases with ageing. Symptoms can range from feeling pressure or bulge in the vagina, urinary problems like urgency or difficulty in emptying the bladder. Prolonged difficult labours, big babies, prolonged cough or constipation can predispose to vaginal prolapse. This can be compounded by lack of estrogen after the menopause. There are varied treatment options and again treatment will be tailored to suit you individually. A small proportion of women will require surgery.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
This is collection of symptoms of irregular periods, abnormal hair growth on face, chin, breasts (hirsuitism), acne, weight gain and infertility. It can present in different ways in different people. Women affected by PCOS do not release an egg every month or do so inconsistently. There is hormonal imbalance causing the above symptoms. It can affect upto 20% of women. A diagnosis is made when you have atleast two of the above symptoms and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound scan. The ovaries look bigger and have multiple cysts within them. Treatment is aimed at minimising symptoms and again tailored to individual needs. Often the first step is weight reduction. Further investigations and treatment will depend on your individual circumstance and need.
This is the one of the commonest problem women experience. It may range from being troublesome to being completely debilitating. It can significantly affect the physical, social and emotional quality of life of a woman. The commonest reason for heavy periods is due to hormonal imbalance. Occasionally it can be caused by fibroids (which are benign swellings from the muscle of the womb). Before the 1990s, hysterectomy was the only treatment available for this condition. Now with advances in medical management and technology, a number of new and less invasive treatment options are available. These are not only effective, but also help to avoid major surgery.
Painful periods
Most women experience mild crampy pain at the onset of periods. This is normal. However, if this pain starts a few days before the onset of periods, last through the periods and persists after the periods cease, it requires further investigations and treatment. It can be caused by a variety of causes including endometriosis (a condition when cells from the lining of your womb get deposited elsewhere in the pelvis), pelvic infection. If you are experiencing debilitating pain with periods that is not relieved by simple painkillers, you should seek specialist advice.
Urinary incontinence
This is a common gynaecological problem and particularly distressing. It refers to the leakage of urine when you don't intend to pass water. This can happen either when coughing, sneezing or laughing (stress incontinence) or leakage associated with a strong desire to pass urine (urge incontinence). The two conditions have different causes and are treated differently. Stress incontinence is due to a weakness in the muscle of the neck of your bladder. Urge incontinence is due to the bladder muscle contracting before the bladder is full. Both conditions are be treated initially by simple measures like advice on fluid intake and targeted pelvic physiotherapy. Some women may require surgery.
Prolapse
This is a common problem affecting many women and the incidence increases with ageing. Symptoms can range from feeling pressure or bulge in the vagina, urinary problems like urgency or difficulty in emptying the bladder. Prolonged difficult labours, big babies, prolonged cough or constipation can predispose to vaginal prolapse. This can be compounded by lack of estrogen after the menopause. There are varied treatment options and again treatment will be tailored to suit you individually. A small proportion of women will require surgery.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
This is collection of symptoms of irregular periods, abnormal hair growth on face, chin, breasts (hirsuitism), acne, weight gain and infertility. It can present in different ways in different people. Women affected by PCOS do not release an egg every month or do so inconsistently. There is hormonal imbalance causing the above symptoms. It can affect upto 20% of women. A diagnosis is made when you have atleast two of the above symptoms and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound scan. The ovaries look bigger and have multiple cysts within them. Treatment is aimed at minimising symptoms and again tailored to individual needs. Often the first step is weight reduction. Further investigations and treatment will depend on your individual circumstance and need.
Copyright: Priscilla Devaseelan 2023
