Award-winning author Denise Dowdell-Stent shares her experience battling poor gynaecological health

Despite many ups and downs, Denise sought comfort in her “amazing Consultant”, who helped her find the positive in every aspect of her healthcare journey. She describes fistula repair surgery, which she underwent after experiencing multiple fistulas, as “completely effective". Denise has also benefitted from specialist physiotherapy. 

Battling gynaecological health conditions can be devastating, but there are treatment options available to help you manage your condition effectively. We talk more about how to access various gynaecological treatment options through our network of over 50 hospitals.

Denise's journey began with Batholin's cyst

Denise firstly experienced a Bartholin's cyst, a fluid-filled sac that can form inside your vagina's opening.

Although a Bartholin's cyst can appear as a small, painless lump, it can sometimes increase in size, causing intense pain and discomfort.

Denise said: “The cyst formed quickly and swelled to the size of an orange. The vaginal cysts were very painful. It was a feeling of pressure combined with an intense localised pain.”

Without the right treatment, a Bartholin's cyst can sometimes become infected, causing an abscess (a painful puss-filled lump) to form in one of your Bartholin's glands. These are small glands that sit behind your labia (the lips that surround your vagina).

Denise was admitted to her local hospital where she had the cyst marsupialised (cyst removal) under general anaesthesia.

Seeking marsupialisation treatment for a Bartholin's cyst

If you suspect you might have a Bartholin's cyst, you can seek treatment (including marsupilisation treatment) with one of our Consultant Gynaecologists today by calling us on 0808 101 0337 or booking your appointment online.

Complications from Crohn's disease led to Denise's vaginal fistulas

Months after her Bartholin's cyst formed, Denise was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. This is a form of inflammatory bowel disease which causes inflammation in parts of your digestive system. Denise suffered complications from Crohn's disease, which caused her to develop fistulas in her rectum and vagina.

“I developed multiple fistulas that started in my rectal area and branched out in different directions-three of which were in my vaginal area," explains Denise.

Fistulas are an abnormal tract or passage that can form between two different surfaces of your body.

Most fistulas can form on the wall of your intestine and connect different parts of your bowel together, or your bowel to another area of your body, such as your vagina, bladder or the skin around your anus.

Denise's fistula treatment was "completely effective"

As part of her treatment for multiple fistulas, Denise had fresh setons (surgical thread) placed into her fistulas to allow them to drain and heal. She was also advised to have a temporary ileostomy to prevent further infection.

An ileostomy is when your small intestine is diverted through a surgical opening in your abdomen, which is also referred to as a stoma. A special bag is placed over your stoma to collect waste products (faeces), which would normally exit your body through your rectum or anus.

The fistula repair surgery that Denise received is known as a fistulotomy. It involves making an incision across your fistula to allow it drain and heal as a flat scar.

Denise underwent multiple fistulotomies as each of her fistulas needed to be treated one at a time. This chapter of Denise's healthcare journey took a more positive turn, despite the hardship.

She describes the fistula repair treatment as “completely effective", and continues:

“My consultant was amazing. I healed remarkably fast. I think it is important to find a surgeon or doctor that maintains a positive outlook even when you have something serious. It is vital that you have a consultant that encourages you and believes you will get better.”

Anal fistula surgery with our Consultants

We offer surgical treatment for anal fistulas across our network of hospitals.

If you would like to get in touch with a specialist to learn more about our fistula treatment services, please call us directly or book your appointment online.

Denise has also benefitted from physiotherapy

Multiple surgeries in Denise's vaginal area have led to extensive nerve damage. She thinks this nerve damage has caused her to experience vulvodynia (unexplained pain in your vulva):

“My gynaecological health problems have had a huge impact on all areas of my life because of the surgeries that I had in my vaginal area. The numerous surgical interventions have caused a lot of nerve damage. I think this is what has triggered my vulvodynia, which is now an ongoing problem.” 

Denise has seen a gynaecologist for her vulvodynia and following this, she has benefitted from a specialised form of pelvic floor physiotherapy to alleviate her pain.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy for vulvodynia with us

We offer pelvic floor physiotherapy for many conditions, including urinary incontinence, pelvic pain and vulvodynia.

If you are struggling with debilitating vulval or pelvic pain, you can speak to a specialist today by calling us or booking your appointment online.

Although Denise continues to battle with gynaecological issues, prescription medication and pelvic floor physiotherapy have helped alleviate her pain and improve her quality of life.

She is also committed to raising awareness about gynaecological health problems.

“I feel so many people suffer needlessly due to fear of the unknown, or a lack of knowledge about their symptoms. This is especially true for gynaecological and gastroenterological problems, where people are embarrassed to speak about their symptoms, or are uncomfortable consulting a male physician. It's essential that people learn not to be embarrassed by their bodies and to break the taboos."