Not sure if your symptoms are ‘normal’? Ask the London Gynaecology specialists - £200 voucher to be won!

[CeriMumsnet]

Whether it’s telling yourself that heavy periods are “just one of those things”, dealing with pelvic pain that you’ve learnt to push through or experiencing symptoms that don’t quite feel right, for so many women, gynaecological health comes with unanswered questions. And too often, those questions are minimised, delayed or quietly worried about alone.

That’s why three specialist consultants from London Gynaecology are here to help.

From contraception and fertility, to fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS, painful periods and early pregnancy concerns, London Gynaecology experts Mez, Ora and Baljinder will be answering your questions openly and honestly, offering clarity, reassurance and practical next steps.

Share your question by 4 March for expert gynaecologist advice and a chance to win a £200 voucher (T&Cs). The London Gynaecology specialists will be online in from the end of Feb to answer your questions.

About the Experts
Mehrnoosh Aref-Adib (Mez), MRCOG
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Mez supports women with both common and complex gynaecological concerns, from fibroids, endometriosis and PCOS to ovarian cysts, heavy or painful periods, early pregnancy concerns and abnormal smear results. With particular expertise in ultrasound scanning, colposcopy and minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery, she focuses on using the least invasive approach appropriate, helping women feel informed and in control of their treatment decisions. Recently referenced on the Blended podcast hosted by Kate Ferdinand, Mez is known for her calm, clear and reassuring approach.

Ora Jesner, MBBS FRCOG
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Ora specialises in urgent and early pregnancy gynaecological care. Women often see her for early pregnancy pain or bleeding, concerns about miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, as well as fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis and vulval symptoms. She leads the Emergency Gynaecology Unit at Whipps Cross Hospital and offers outpatient hysteroscopy, minimally invasive surgery and contraception procedures, including coil insertion and removal. As a mother of four, Ora understands first-hand the emotional and practical realities of navigating health concerns while caring for a family.

Baljinder Kaur Chohan (Bajinder), MBBS BSc BA MRCOG DFSRH
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Baljinder supports women with a wide range of gynaecological and early pregnancy concerns, including menstrual problems, pelvic pain, PCOS, fibroids, contraception advice and early pregnancy assessment with ultrasound. With over eight years’ experience as a consultant at Royal Berkshire Hospital, where she also holds a joint Clinical Lead role, Baljinder combines clinical expertise with deep empathy. As a mother of two, she appreciates the challenge of managing your own health while juggling work, children and everything else life throws at you.

Whatever I've read online seems to indicate that PCOS comes with weight gain. Is it possible to have PCOS if you're slim? Asking this for my sister.

What age can I expect my Daughter to experience symptoms of these hormonal changes?

Why is it that some people have pain during ovulation and others don't? One of my daughters says her ovulation pain is much worse than her period pain and her period pain is already bad, whereas my other daughter doesn't get ovulation pain and her period pain she says is bearable most of the time.

I'm 47 and my cycles are getting shorter and shorter. It's quite an inconvenience with sports and holidays. How long can I expect it to be like this and is it safe for me to use period-delaying medication?

I'm 57 and bleeding twice a month. This has been going on for years. I never stopped bleeding I went from a normal monthly cycle to this. I have had my hrt adjusted but nothing has changed. Should I be worried?

Why is it that some people start menopause much earlier than others? Is there any particular reason or is it random?

What is some advice that you can give that is generally not known?

At 45 is it normal part of perimenopause to have a continuous bleed for several months?

I’m 41 and I think in perimenopause, my cycles have changed and now range from 24-37 days. My biggest issue is now pink spotting which now happens for four or five days after my period ends. This has only happened for the last 9/10 cycles. Is it something I should get checked out, or to be expected at this stage of life?

My periods are extremely heavy, I can go through 3 super tampax in a day -plus pads for leakage - but they are not always so heavy - why would this be - not much pain, just heavy flow for the first 3 days - last a week in total. (I am 37)

I had an ovarian cyst removed 8 years ago - no symptoms, it was found during an dating ultrasound scan for my 2nd DC , (the cyst was drained first - and came back so was removed). Can they come back, would I be prone to cysts, or could be just be one of those things ??

I have suffered with Adenomyosis my entire life. Some months are better than others and I have no idea why that is. I’ve listened to doctors and ran trials of elimination to get to the root cause I.e cutting out drinking for 1-month, or no sugar for 1-month etc. and it’s still just so unpredictable. I would like to know a few things:

Will having this condition affect my chance of getting pregnant and if not, what should I expect from pregnancy and post pregnancy with this condition?

What would you suggest I do to help improve my pain outside of diet and exercise - is there any supplements that could help? Open to anything at this point.

I’m 48 have had increasingly heavy periods for the past few years which I managed with Tranexamic acid. Their frequency has recently increased to approximately 2 periods per month which is accompanied by cramping throughout that time and beyond.
I’ve had scans for fibroids but none seen. Is this just a normal part of peri? Would going on HRT help? I don’t have any other major symptoms.

My DN 13 is on NSAID's for her really heavy periods, how would this effect her long term and is there any safe hormonal treatment?

I'm 47 and for 20 years I been having an itch in the left labia only..comes just before the period or at night simetimes, was told its hormonal. Went private years back and had a sample of skin taken and nothing found. I'm worried about vulval
cancer..what do you recommend?

Before going for a c section with my son they tried to induce me the pain through the balloons was unbearable I was told whilst they were being taken out that there is no way they should have gone in and they must have been forced. Needless to say it didn’t work and wouldn’t be put through another “round” of them trying I had to have a section. Well since this (16months ago) whenever I have intercourse with my partner the pain is ridiculous I feel like I’m being torn again. Could they have done damage to my insides during the balloon episode?? I was literally screaming down the gas and air.

Can you have a fibroid without heavy bleeding?

Is having a 9-10 period (bleeding every day of it) normal? The first 4-5 days are extremely heavy then it gets lighter but still lasts 9-10 days every month. I also have extremely painful pms and build up to ovulation/ovulation day each month. My GP says it’s normal but no one else I know has had periods like it. They’ve always been heavy but the 9-10 day periods only started after my periods restarted after my third child (2nd c section) so they’ve been going on for just over 2.5 years.

Hi, I'm 42. I've been on HRT for 3.5 years (100mg) and the coil for just over 2 years as I couldn't absorb the progesterone tablets (crohn's). I didn't have a period for 1 year and 9 months and then out of nowhere had bleeding varying from spotting, watery blood, clots, really heavy and sometimes dark brown. I have now been bleeding every day since Christmas 2025. My coil is still in situ. The doctors won't text my hotmone levels but are at a loss as to what it could be.
Could I be reaching the end of perimenopause?
Thank you

I've had a large fibroid in my womb removed 3 years ago, is it likely I'll get more I'm 62

That’s really not heavy, I have to change my super max tampon every hour on my heaviest day and night. Three times a day is the lighter end of my cycle.

Since I turned forty I have had issues with the skin on my vulva tearing and splitting. It makes sex incredibly painful. My GP won’t consider any form of hormonal therapy because I’m still under 45 and just tells me to moisturise the area. I do this but it doesn’t make much difference. What could help with this? I feel very at sea with it all.

Should I start HRT (estrogen gel) if I have had abnormal cell changes over a year ago?

If you have an IUD with no periods, do you still get changes in hormone levels each month? Is it possible to still experience PMT like symptoms, for example? (Even if you don't actually bleed). Thank you.

My periods became light and infrequent by age 43 and I was having lots of perimenopause symptoms. I started HRT a few months ago and they are heavy and regular again. Is this normal?