Ask the gynaecology consultants at Spire Healthcare your questions on all things gynaecology - £200 voucher to be won

[LucyBMumsnet]

Gynaecology isn’t a topic that’s likely to come up in everyday conversation. However, many people are seeking answers to their gynae-related questions and finding the right time or person to ask can be a challenge. That’s why Spire Healthcare has recruited a panel of gynaecology experts who will be here to answer your questions about all things related to gynaecology.

Here’s what Spire Healthcare has to say: “Spire Healthcare is a leading independent hospital group in the United Kingdom, with 39 private hospitals and eight clinics across England, Wales and Scotland. Working in partnership with around 7,500 experienced consultants, Spire Healthcare delivered tailored, personalised care to almost 750,000 inpatients, outpatients and day case patients in 2020.

The Group’s well located and scalable hospitals have delivered successful and award-winning clinical outcomes, positioning the Group well with patients, consultants, the NHS, GPs and Private Medical Insurance providers. 90% of Spire Healthcare’s hospitals are rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC (or the equivalent in Scotland and Wales).”

Want to find out more about who will be answering your questions? Read about the panel of experts below:

Dr Gail Busby
Dr Gail Busby is a Consultant Gynaecologist specialising in paediatric, adolescent and adult gynaecology conditions. She qualified in Trinidad in 1996, before amassing a wealth of experience at Liverpool and London. Her clinical interests include menstrual disorders, endometriosis, laparoscopic surgery, hysteroscopy and post-menopausal problems.

Mrs Sarah Hussain
Sarah has been a consultant gynaecologist for 33 years. She has a special interest in incontinence, prolapse of vagina and uterus, heavy and painful periods and abnormal bleeding, menopause, endometriosis and fibroids.

Mr Mohamed Mabrouk
Mohamad is a Consultant Gynaecologist and adjunct professor in Gynaecology in the University of Southern Denmark. His special interests are endometriosis, advanced laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery and menstrual disorders. He has extensive experience in laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis and is dedicated to helping women with endometriosis have a better quality of life and improve their fertility.

Maybe you have a question about recovery after childbirth or strengthening your pelvic floor muscles? Perhaps you’d like information on the things all women should know about their health or if they should have regular gynaecology check-ups? Whether your question is about menstrual disorders, childbirth injuries or incontinence, post it on the thread below. The expert consultants from Spire Healthcare will be back in July to answer a selection of your questions.

Everyone who shares a question on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

Do kegel balls really help to strengthen pelvic floor muscles?

What causes menstrual inconsistencies, especially for someone that has always been regular?

Are products like femfresh a good buy?

Where would you say is a good place to look for info on intimate health? Or are there any good books around?

When should you start doing pelvic floor exercises?

I enthusiastically began at 6 weeks with an app and it gave me really bad cramps, so worried about miscarriage I quit again straight away (I did it for 3 days in a row and every day the cramps were directly related to it). Now I don't know when it is safe to pick it back up.

My daughter was born with an anterior anus and thus has a very very minimal perineum, This also has a mucosa open line, like a slit on it (from birth and has never infected or granulated).
She was fully investigated to make sure bowels and bottom worked ok, but investigating consultant told me after mapping that she would need a c section if she has children, but nothing more was said regarding any gynaecological aspect. Should she be investigated further at any point?
Thanks for your time.

I’ve had a copper coil fitted on 3 separate occasions, every time I get constant thrush. I’ve had swabs taken which confirm there’s nothing else going on but it’s really irritating and sore. I’ve tried everything going oral capsules, pessaries, creams, gels, yoghurt! There’s no respite from it but does tend to get worse in the lead up to my period. Any advice?

2 Questions
1 why do Americans commonly see a gynaecologist for things and we don't?
2 What do you know about increased bleeding/menstruation post covid jab? I have currently have x 1 AZ jab (second next week) I am 43, with Mirena coil haven't bled for 8 years + and suddenly spotting.

Just been diagnosed with a large complex cyst in my right ovary. It’s 5x3cm. I’m in the 6 week waiting period for a follow up scan.
I’m experiencing extreme exhaustion, especially the first couple of days of my period. Could this possibly be linked?

Please can you tell me more about having a Tilted Uterus? I recently stumbled across this term and looked it up - it seems to explain why tampons don't work for me (leaking and blood only on one side when I remove) and why when I'm on my period, nothing comes out when I'm lying down at night, even when the flow is heavy. Are there any other symptoms or things that might be affected by a tilted uterus? Thank you

In an ideal world would you recommend all women to have a gynaecology health review appointment and how often would you schedule it?
I’ve had various issues over the years but always wondered if a proactive rather than reactive approach would’ve helped more.
Thanks

I'm taking oral HRT - would it be sensible from a risk point of view to change to using the gel instead?

I have mild-moderate rectocele and am waiting for physio. Is there anything I can do while waiting?

How do you distinguish between rectal prolapse and haemorrhoids? I am concerned I have the former.

Wondering when these questions are going to be looked at ?

@RuthTopp

Wondering when these questions are going to be looked at ?

Hi @RuthTopp,

The consultants will be back by the end of July with the answers to a selection of questions from the thread

@LucyBMumsnet
Thanks.

How often should you have a gynaecological check up? It doesn’t seem to be a standard thing in the UK. I have no cervix/uterus/ovaries due to prior surgery so no longer have regular smears.

Thanks all for asking your questions and for your patience if you're eagerly awaiting an answer. There is a slight delay but the team at Spire Healthcare will be answering a selection of the questions from this thread ASAP - we're expecting this to be next week.

Hi everyone. Thanks for posting your questions on this thread. We'll be answering a selection of these over the next hour or so. We hope that the answers are helpful to you!

• Mohamed, Sarah and Gail

@OnTheBenchOfDoom

My diagnosis of endometriosis was confirmed 20 years ago via laparoscopy. Prior to that I have had all the medication you can have plus a chemical menopause when I was 27 then finally the laparoscopy when I was no longer under the NHS but a private patient.

Is there anything that helps with the fatigue at all? I haven't worked for the last 17 years because of being ridiculously tired every day in the afternoon. This affects holidays, weekends away, even day trips.

I don't have many of the other symptoms anymore, just pain around ovulation and severe pain when I am on my period. I manage this with a TENs machine and a massage gun and sheer determination. It is like being in labour every month. I really should go to the GP to get prescription pain meds but quite frankly having been fobbed off for 10 years prior to the endo diagnosis I am scared I will have to beg for pain relief. I am sure I am not alone in this fear.

Anything for the fatigue would help.

Dear @OnTheBenchOfDoom, thank you for your question.

A common symptom of endometriosis is fatigue. When the womb wall is affected (adenomyosis), you may also have heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual blood contains high levels of iron, consequently a person with endometriosis will lose more blood and therefore will lose more iron which will increase the chances of having anaemia. This would explain the constant feeling exhausted.

My advice would be, in addition to addressing endometriosis and adenomyosis, to try having a more balanced diet, and/or try adapting your diet to include more iron - rich foods. Another advice would be to take supplements to stabilise the nutrients lost.

• Mohamed

@ohdannyboy

I was treated for an ovarian cyst, which was only found because of my 2nd pregnancy, during a routine scan. I had the cyst drained laprascopically, but as I did not feel or had any symptoms what are the chances of it coming back - I was due to have a follow-up scan to see if the cyst had gone - but the appointment did not materialise, my doctor just said - it's in the system and not to worry - but I am

Dear @ohdannyboy, thank you for your question.

It depends on the nature of the cysts. For some cysts (like endometriosis cysts), it is better to remove the cyst wall rather than draining the fluid inside. In these cases, drainage is not as efficient as excision and there’s evidence that removing cysts with excision gives a lower probability for it to recur.

• Mohamed

@SnowyMouse

Is it worth trying a mirena coil for heavy/painful periods?

Dear @SnowyMouse, thank you for your question.

According to some scientific trials, Mirena coils reduce period pain over 3 years, with improvements between the first 12-18 months. But there are still some side effects that come with it such as headaches, acne, breast tenderness and others, my advice would be to discuss this with your GP, have a diagnosis for the cause of your heavy periods first. If the cause is treatable surgically (polpy or fibroid, etc.), to treat the cause before making any decisions.

• Mohamed

@ImaHogg

I am 48 and for the last 6+ years I have had uterine polyps which cause heavy periods and have resulted in me having ferritin levels of 5. I have had 2 hysteroscopies to have them removed and a deeper removal via day surgery however they keep growing back. I have been told my only option is a Mirena coil but I really don’t want hormonal treatment as I have never taken anything like that. I am due another hysteroscopy (I have been waiting over 9 months due to Covid so have no idea when this will be?) when I do have the procedure the gynaecologist said he will put in a mirena, he never asked what I want! Are there any other options for me? I can’t keep going on having heavy bleeding each month, I dread my period.

Dear @ImaHogg, thank you for your question.

As treating doctors, our role is to give you options and the final choice is definitely yours. One of the options is the use of Mirena coil, which could be effective in a reasonable percentage of the cases.

Another option would be endometrial ablation, which means local destruction of the womb lining. My advice would be to discuss with your doctor all the options available so that you can make an informed choice.

• Mohamed

@movinggoalposts

Since having long Covid I have developed a number of ovarian cysts which come and go quite quickly. Is this happening to other women or just me?

Dear @movinggoalposts, thank you for your question.

These cysts could be functional cysts which are usually harmless and don’t give discomfort. Usually they heal on their own in a few months. So you are not the only one.

• Mohamed