Women’s Health, Menopause and
Your Future Health.
Because your quality of life matters and nothing is too embarrassing to share with me.
Women’s Health and Menopause
I cover a range of traditional ‘Women’s Health’ symptoms that can be treated directly with the help of a simple scan or blood tests.
I also provide specialist Menopause consultations to dicsuss both hormonal and non- hormonal treatments.
I’m not able to offer a full gynaecology service (as I am not a gynaecologist!) but if you’re struggling to get in with your GP or wish to discuss any current treatments in more detail, I should be able to help.
Menopause Consultations
The perimenopause and beyond can be such a tricky time of life to navigate; Work stress, children of all ages, ageing parents, relationship issues- you name it, it’s happening while you’re undergoing one of the most physiologically challenging phases of your life. Thanks for that, Mother Nature…just what we all needed!
Because it is a complex and uncertain time, you might find you’re really in need of some extra support. If you feel like the lynch-pin in your life right now, its because you probably are…You can’t afford to be functioning at anything less than 100%, right? But who has your back? It often feels like nobody, and it needn’t be that way.
During your menopause consultation, we will explore all aspects of your physical and emotional symptoms and how they may be impacting your day to day life as well as your overall health. But the menopause transition is not just hot flushes, poor sleep and brain fog. As time passes, our bodies change both inside and out- Our cardiovascular, gastro, hormonal and neurological systems all undergo changes so that the things we used to do and rely on for health are now different – it’s important your health at this time is not purely dominated by typically associated symptoms of ‘The Menopause’.
Whether you have symptoms of the early perimenopause or you’re well into the post menopausal phase and still having symptoms, I can help you find the best way forward to optimise both your health and wellbeing. There may be a place for lifestyle adjustments, Estrogen replacement (HRT), testosterone, non- hormonal medications, psychosexual counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy and/or taking a look at your wider health like blood pressure, cholesterol and autoimmune conditions which may be provoked during the menopause transition…We can decide on this together during your consultation.
***Please note I do not prescribe testosterone gel without a current (within 3 months) blood test and future follow up appointment arranged.
**I do not prescribe doses of estrogen above the recommended and/or licensed amounts.
Women’s Health Conditions covered:
- Heavy/painful menstrual bleeding
- Painful Sex
- Low libido
- Vulval and vaginal symptoms
- Recurrent ‘UTI’
- Prolapse and pessaries
- Hormonal imbalance
- PMS/PMDD
- Contraceptive choices
- Cyclical symptoms
Prolapse and Pessary Service
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) can be a really debilitating symptom to live with. It can be very uncomfortable, embarrassing and sometimes just an absolute nuisance. If you would like your symptoms assessing, a prolapse confirmed/diagnosing or alternative treatments discussed please book in for a specific Pelvic Floor Assessment.
Read more here…
A Pelvic Floor assessment consists of a thorough history, physical exam and sizing up for a pessary if this is what you choose and discussion around the risks and benefits of these is essential to getting things right for you.
I will not place a new pessary on a first visit unless you already have your own or you are suitable for an average size (62-74mm) thick or thin ‘ring’ pessary (as I have these in stock and are included (up to 3) in the price of the consultation). I will only know what size and type is suitable following a physical assessment.
I only order in ‘cube’ pessaries which are £60 per item or self managing ‘folding’ rings as a alternative which are approximately £70 per item. Folding rings are usually fitted following success with a fixed ring so we definitely have the sizing right.
I am happy to order in other types of pessaries which have already been fitted by a qualified provider, and you are just wanting it replaced.
If a pessary is not fitted on your first visit (for example if you are not suitable for a ring pessary or it falls our straight away) then a single follow up appointment is recommended at a later date.
Longer term management of pelvic organ pessaries involves regular (6monthly) physical exams to ensure there is no tissue damage being done and to change the pessary to avoid breakdown of the constituent materials as recommended by the manufacturers. You can book stand alone follow up appointments for this if you wish.
Please take a look at my Blog Post on Pelvic Organ Prolapse to clarify any questions you may have. Alternatively please email me drgillian@lincolnshirewomensclinic.co.uk if you remain unsure.
GENERAL PRACTICE
Although the Lincolnshire Women’s Clinic is not set up as an independent GP service, I am still able to offer consultations within the scope of my General Practice. This may be to offer another opinion, discuss a medication, provide an explanation or interpret self ordered blood tests or scans.
LIFESTYLE and FUTURE HEALTH
More women are becoming aware of how their current lifestyle and family history/genetics can impact their Future Health. I have a lot of requests to discuss things like blood pressure, statins or alternative cholesterol medications and osteoporosis. Some women are often symptomatic of underlying conditions, without even realising it as they may have always been dismissed as ‘anxiety’ or just something they should get used to living with. Sometimes a discussion like this is prompted by the death or illness of a family member – and it is certainly worth a consultation if you think your genetics put you at higher risk of a future health event- there is so much we can do to prevent declining health as we age!