A holistic approach to gynaecology

What is a holistic approach to gynaecology?

Gynaecology is the study and care of the female reproductive system, covering the uterus, ovaries, cervix and vagina. The functions, disorders and diseases of the system come under the discipline of gynaecology.

Many women experience gynaecological problems over the course of their life, and they are extremely common. Issues can include chronic pain, vaginismus, polycystic ovarian syndrome, heavy menstrual bleeding and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, amongst other issues. Women often experience more than one of these conditions alongside each other.

Holistic medicine treats the body as a whole and appreciates the interconnectedness of every part of it. Holistic therapies are sometimes used alongside other medical treatments, or sometimes used on their own. This means that a holistic approach to gynaecology can be an effective treatment route that enhances your wellbeing by tackling several related issues together.

Common holistic therapies include physiotherapy, psychology, acupuncture, diet and mindfulness. Treatments are multidisciplinary are take a bi-psycho-social approach, since everyone experiences gynaecological issues differently. Other factors such as lifestyle and family history are also taken into consideration.

Why do consultants often use a holistic approach to gynaecology?

"Consultants often choose to use a holistic approach to gynaecology because these conditions usually affect more than one part of the reproductive system, and symptoms often overlap. It is near impossible to have just one gynaecological condition and it's not difficult to understand why this is," explains Dr Winston De Mellow, pain consultant and trustee of The Vulval Pain Society.

If you experience symptoms of these conditions, you are more likely to also experience symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), multiple allergies, recurrent cystitis, chronic fatigue and migraines.

“This is broadly because these conditions all serve the same nerve supply physiologically,” he continues. “They also impact your nerves and physiological structure, which has a knock-on effect on your overall health and wellbeing."

The benefits of a holistic approach to gynaecology

There are many benefits of taking a holistic approach to gynaecology, which gives each person a unique plan to reduce their personal symptoms.

“It is always important to treat patients individually and holistically, as everyone is different - what works well for one woman may not improve symptoms at all for another,” explains Miss Gaity Ahmad, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician with Circle Health Group.

“There is good evidence that simple lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise can significantly improve gynaecological conditions such as pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding,” she continues. “Practicing mindfulness, meditation and yoga have also been shown to help patients with chronic conditions.”

Holistic therapies are low-risk options and can be employed when symptoms first arise. This may avoid other, more serious treatments being necessary, such as medication or surgery, which can be disruptive, invasive and painful.

Why do women's health conditions take so long to diagnose?

Women suffering with common gynaecological conditions often wait for years before a diagnosis is established. “Perhaps this is because chronic gynaecological conditions are usually not life-threatening or life-limiting, so once ‘serious’ causes of symptoms are ruled out, efforts to make a diagnosis are reduced and the symptoms are normalised,” explains Miss Gaity.

This means it can take a long time to find the right pain management method for women. Because pain is subjective and each person’s body reacts differently, many women are stuck in a vicious cycle and are unable to find a solution.

Many patients also report feeling dismissed throughout their gynaecological diagnosis journey, and feelings of shame and embarrassment are common. The social stigma associated with gynaecological issues, means that many women delay seeking treatment or are not taken seriously when they do.

However, as Miss Gaity notes, this need not be the case. “This should not be accepted, as suffering with these conditions can have a serious and detrimental impact on a woman’s quality of life, and there are plenty of treatment options available.”  

Why we need more accessible information for women’s health conditions

Raising awareness and improving education for women’s health conditions is important. It will allow women to be diagnosed faster and enable researchers to find new ways to treat disorders. It will also help to reduce stigma – if people can talk openly about these issues, then they will realise they are completely normal and very common.

“If women are aware of possible causes of their symptoms, they are empowered to seek medical advice and self-advocate to find the best treatment for them,” says Miss Gaity. “Increased knowledge of their gynaecological health can even serve to improve their condition, as women are able to notice simple things that can exacerbate or alleviate their symptoms.

To aid with this, the British government recently launched a call for evidence to inform its new Women's Health strategy. This will help to set a new agenda to improve accessibility of information and education regarding women’s health. It also aims to ensure that research, evidence and data support improvements in women’s health, and diminish the surrounding stigma.

If you would like to learn more about gynaecological conditions and the treatments we provide at our hospitals, please visit our gynaecology treatment page.

Alternatively, if you would like to get in touch with a consultant gynaecologist near you, you can find one using our consultant search, or you can give us a call and our friendly advisors will help you find the best specialist for you.