There are many aspects of your health that you should be looking after as much as possible, and this doesn’t just stop at any point. Your health needs and your susceptibility to various conditions and diseases will change once you reach a certain age.
Private gynaecology offers specialised and rapid-access medical care for the female reproductive system.
This includes all aspects of said system from the uterus to the ovaries, to the fallopian tubes and the cervix. It allows patients to bypass long waiting times on the NHS for consultation, diagnosis and treatment.
When it comes to your reproductive health, speed is often necessary to catch and deal with anything that could be potentially life-threatening. Specialist care is therefore usually recommended for persistent, new or severe symptoms when it comes to irregular periods, pelvic pain, fertility concerns and more.
For those looking at the option of going private for gynaecology, this guide will explain it all to help you weigh up whether it’s right for you or not.
When Should You See a Gynaecologist?
You should consider seeing a gynaecologist for an annual check-up or when you experience any symptoms that might be impacting your daily life. Key reasons why you might want to seek a referral sooner rather than later include:
Menstrual changes
Not everyone has the luxury of a normal period, whereby it’s typical in its regularity and doesn’t cause much in the way of discomfort. Whether it’s menstrual changes or it’s been something that’s happening for a while, a specialist approach might be necessary.
They can help to address changes like irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods or severe cramping.
Pelvic pain
Any type of pain that remains consistent in its efforts to attack the body is hard to cope with. Pelvic pain that’s persistent or severe in its pain/discomfort can be something a specialist can look at. This pain is often located in the lower abdomen or the vulva.
Menopause symptoms
Severe hot flushes, low libido, night sweats or post-menopausal bleeding can often be something of a concern when it comes to menopause symptoms. Having access to a specialist can help with resolving issues like these.
Sexual health and fertility
Any pain felt during intercourse, struggling with fertility or suspicious of potential STIs are all things that can be looked into further with a Private Gynaecology / Gynaecologist Near me.
Unusual discharge
The presence of unusual discharge can be worrying, and so it’s important to get it checked out to make sure it’s nothing serious. Anything from unexpected itching, burning or abnormal odours should ideally be checked out. Unusual Discharge: Unexpected itching, burning, or abnormal odour.
Other concerns
The appearance of urinary incontinence, prolapse and concerns regarding vaginal lumps are just some of the other issues that can be addressed through private gynaecologists.
“Red Flag” Symptoms
When you’re concerned about your reproductive system in general, knowing some of the red flags that will trigger you to get help fast is important.
Any post-menopausal bleeding that happens for 12+ months after periods stop should be looked into. If you’ve got persistent bloating or you feel full quickly, then it’s good to be aware of this as something that could be linked to your reproductive system.
Any new or unexpected vulval lumps or bleeding should also be addressed quickly.
Benefits of Private Gynaecology
So what are some of the benefits of going private instead of waiting for gynaecology services on the NHS?
Opting for private care provides several advantages over public health services. Private consultations will often occur within just a few days and have shorter waiting times for surgeries that typically take 4-6 weeks to action. This faster access can help patients get back on their feet a lot sooner and to spot problems before they become something more serious.
With private gynaecology, you can select your consultant and typically see the same expert for that continuity of care. That’s something that’s extremely important when it comes to improving your experiences in healthcare and for putting you at ease by seeing the same, familiar face each time.
You often get around 10-15 minutes of consultancy time during consultations on the NHS. However, by going private, you get more time available for detailed discussions.
With private gynaecology, you get access to on-site services that allow for same-day diagnosis. This includes ultrasound scans, blood tests and hysteroscopies. For those on the NHS, you may need to wait a while for a follow-up appointment to share the results.
To book a private appointment, you often don’t need a GP referral and can just go directly to the private gynaecologist.
What to Expect at a Private Gynaecologist Appointment
To prepare for your private gynaecologist appointment, it’s good to know what to expect. That way, you can feel like everything has been answered, and any concerns can be addressed without the need to continue worrying about it because it wasn’t mentioned.
- Consultation
A detailed discussion is good to have when it comes to your medical history, any concerns and symptoms you’ve been experiencing for a while or recently.
- Examination
Next is the examination. This may include a physical examination and a pelvic exam in some cases. An ultrasound scan is another method that is used to investigate the symptoms you’ve been experiencing in the hopes of finding a cause of the problem.
- Treatment plan
A personalised and comprehensive plan is often created immediately, with options to schedule any procedures necessary, quickly.
- Follow-up
There are clear pathways to your follow-up appointments, too, whether it’s receiving results or attending post-op or treatment to check on recovery and progress.
In general, you should bring a record of your menstrual cycle, where possible and any current medications you may be taking. A list of symptoms is good to have too, so that you can refer back to these notes as and when you need to.
It’s also best to avoid booking during your period unless the appointment itself is specifically for menstrual issues that need looking into.
A private specialist can be a great help and have it’s benefits, so if the option is available to you, it’s worth considering
