Gynaecological Treatments
Gynecologists give reproductive and sexual health services that include pelvic exams, Pap tests, cancer screenings, and testing and treatment for vaginal infections. They diagnose and treat reproductive system disorders such as endometriosis, infertility, ovarian cysts, and pelvic pain.
Treatment Specialties
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition defined by the presence of a large number of harmless cysts (fluid filled sacs) in a woman’s ovaries and that hamper a ovulation. It is one of the commonest hormonal conditions, affecting up to 20% of women.
Although the exact cause of PCOS is unknown there is a genetic link and it runs in families.. It is also associated with having abnormal levels of insulin and testosterone in the body. Being overweight can increases the body’s insulin levels which in turn can cause a woman’s body to produce more, abnormal levels of testosterone.
You may be diagnosed with PCOS if you have at least two of the following symptoms:
Heavy and/or irregular periods
No periods at all
Excessive Acne
Hirsutism (excessive hair growth)
Hair loss (alopaecia)
Obesity
Difficulty conceiving
Some women with polycystic ovaries have no symptoms and are only diagnosed with the condition when they experience difficulties becoming pregnant. Others may have some, but not all, of the symptoms, which may be mild, moderate or severe. Your symptoms may also change over time and can be affected by a number of other factors such as diet and life-style.
Having PCOS can increase the risks of developing other conditions later in life. These include Type 2 diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and stroke.
PCOS is usually diagnosed after discussing your symptoms with your consultant and having a pelvic ultrasound scan. This should ideally be carried out shortly after your period along with a blood test to measure the levels of various hormones in your blood including the male hormone testosterone. Management and treatment is done after careful diagnosis and thorough evaluation.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis happens when uterine tissue (the tissue that normally grows inside the uterus) grows outside on/in other organs in the body. It is most common in women in their 30s and 40s with symptoms usually improving during and after the menopause. In most cases, endometriosis affects the:
Fallopian tubes
Ovaries
Outside surface of the womb
Inside the pelvic cavity
It can also affect the:
Vagina
Cervix
Vulva
Bowel
Bladder
Rectum
In very rare cases, it can also affect other parts of the body including the lungs, skin and brain.
Symptoms include:
Very painful periods, often becoming worse with time
Lower back and pelvic pain
Pain during/after sexual intercourse
Stomach pain, including pain when having bowel movements or urinating during periods. Diarrhoea, bloating, constipation, or nausea during periods is also documented
Spotting/bleeding between periods
Fatigue
Fertility problems
Endometriosis is diagnosed through a pelvic examination, ultrasound scan and laparascopy surgery.
Although it is not yet possible to cure the condition, medication that contains hormones can be used to control endometriosis and sometimes you may be offered surgery to remove some of the tissue to improve your fertility. The most commonly used type of surgery is laparoscopy, which is usually, combined with laser surgery to target and precisely remove the small growths in the pelvis or abdomen. Laparotomy involves making a larger cut in the abdomen and is used if the endometriosis is very extensive and involves very large cysts being removed
Endometriosis can cause infertility, especially if it damages the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Depending upon the damage, Assisted Reproductive Techniques are offered. Endometriosis is unlikely to cause problems once you are pregnant and being pregnant can sometimes reduce your symptoms.
Recurrent Miscarriages
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectet adipisc elit, sed do eiusm por incididunt ut labore et dolore nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in
Hysteroscopy Surgery
Hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to look inside your uterus in order to diagnose and treat causes of abnormal bleeding. Hysteroscopy is done using a hysteroscope, a thin, lighted tube that is inserted into the vagina to examine the cervix and inside of the uterus. Hysteroscopy can be either diagnostic or operative.
Hysteroscopies are done to correct conditions in a woman’s uterus. These include Polyps and Fibroids, Adhesions, Septums and Abnormal bleeding. Careful advice and guidance will be given at BGIC prior to this treatment and risks/benefits will be discussed thoroughly.
Laparoscopy
This procedure is also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery.
Large incisions can be avoided during laparoscopy because the surgeon uses an instrument called a laparoscope. This is a small tube that has a light source and a camera, which relays images of the inside of the abdomen or pelvis to a television monitor. The advantages of this technique are that patients have short recovery periods in hospital, minimal scarring and less or nil post-operative pain/bleeding.
Colposcopy
A colposcopy is a procedure to find out whether there are abnormal cells on or in a woman's cervix or vagina. In some women, the presence of "abnormal cells" carries the risk of developing cervical cancer.
This procedure helps the doctor to closely examine your cervix, vagina and vulva for signs of disease. During colposcopy, your doctor uses a special instrument called a colposcope. An abnormal Pap Smear Test will precipitate a Colposcopy recommendation by your doctor. An unusual area of cells seen on colposcopy will be sent to the lab for biopsy.
Women’s health screening
At the BGIC we offer women’s health screening for a wide variety of gynaecological conditions, including early stage cancers. Diagnosing disease at an early stage can make it more treatable and prevent it from developing into a life threatening condition. Our health screens vary depending on your age, your family history and any particular concerns you may have.
During a typical screening visit, the consultant will obtain a detailed and thorough history and then examine your breasts and pelvis. Related investigations that may be recommended include:
Cervical screening to detect the early signs of cervical cancer
A pelvic ultrasound scan
Blood testing to check your hormone levels
A sexual health screening if required: this involves screening for sexually transmitted diseases including chlamydia, gonorrhoeae, HIV and syphilis.
Cervical screening test
A cervical screening test (previously known as a ‘smear test’) is a method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervical and usually takes around five minutes to perform. A speculum will be gently inserted into your vagina so the doctor can examine the cervix, and a small soft brush is used to take some cells from the surface. The sample of cervical cells is then examined under a microscope to see whether there are any abnormalities.
Pelvic ultrasound scan
A pelvic ultrasound scan is used to examine the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce an image of the inside of your body. It is painless and doesn’t use any radiation making it infinitely safer than an Xray
Hormonal Assessments
Hormonal assessments are carried out to check for imbalances that can cause symptoms including weight gain, lack of energy and decreased libido. Hormone blood tests are also carried out at the Agora as part of fertility screening and to discover whether you are entering the menopause. Hormones that we check for include:
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinising hormone (LH)
Oestradiol
Prolactin
Thyroid
Testosterone
Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH)
Progesterone
Menopause
Menopause is when a woman stops ovulating and having periods. The average age of the menopause is around 51. If you reach the menopause before the age of 40, it’s known as a ‘premature menopause’. Menopause is characterized by declining levels of Oestrogen and when levels are nil, the woman is said to have gone through menopause.
Symptoms of the menopause include:
Hot flushes
Mood swings
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Whilst menopause is natural ageing sometimes the symptoms can be rather severe and treatment can be offered to ease them. These include advice about the advantages and risks of hormone replacement therapy, as well as offering a diet and life-style program to help reduce symptoms. We also offer advice about fertility services available for women who have had a premature menopause.
English
Arabic