Gynaecology in Suffolk

St Edmunds Hospital is located on the beautiful St. Mary's Square, just across from the Greene King Brewery in Bury St Edmunds. People visit us from Newmarket, Diss, Sudbury, Thetford, Woolpit and Mildenhall. We also see patients from Hadleigh, Stowmarket, Ely and Haverhill. If you’re living in one of these areas and looking for a private hospital near you, our team is ready and waiting to help you.

When you need to see a gynaecologist in Bury St Edmunds, visit The St Edmunds, where our consultant specialises in uro-gynaecology.

This specialty focuses on prolapse and urinary incontinence.

PLEASE NOTE: We do not do any Obstetrics care at the St Edmunds Hospital. 

Pelvic organ prolapse

For patients suffering with pelvic organ prolapse, there are several treatment options available, which depend largely on the severity of your symptoms. Our Consultant Uro-gynaecologist will also consider the severity of the prolapse and your age and overall health.

When it comes to the treatment offered, they may also consider whether you plan to have children in the future.

Treatment options can include everything from simple lifestyle changes to pelvic floor exercises. Some people may be eligible for hormone treatment, which can be discussed at your consultation.

Urinary incontinence

An often-distressing condition, urinary incontinence is defined as an unintentional passing of urine, and it can be disorientating for our patients. There are several treatment options available, though and the treatments offered depend on the type of urinary incontinence you are suffering from.

These include stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and overflow urinary incontinence, which each come with their own set of symptoms. Some patients may also have a neurological bladder disorder or suffer from post-micturition dribble.

Our Consultant Uro-gynaecologist also covers general gynaecological issues within her practice. This includes:

• Postmenopausal bleeding
• Irregular bleeding
• Problems with periods
• Ovarian cysts.

Postmenopausal bleeding

If you’re experiencing the menopause, you may suffer from a whole host of symptoms. Other people, meanwhile, may find that their symptoms are few and far between.

Any bleeding after 45, when menopause is usually diagnosed, needs to be checked out, even if it has only happened once.

You should also get checked if there is only a small amount of blood, spotting or a pink or brown discharge. While postmenopausal bleeding isn’t usually serious, it can sometimes indicate cancer.

Irregular bleeding

Some cases of irregular bleeding may be easier to treat. Others, meanwhile, may signal a serious underlying condition. If you notice spotting or heavier bleeding between periods, visit our Uro-gynaecologist here at The St Edmunds, who may be able to offer you the reassurance you’re looking for.

Bleeding between periods could be caused by stress, a growth in your uterus or cervix, a miscarriage, a change in medication, vaginal dryness, a hormone imbalance, or cancer, so it’s important to get checked out at your earliest convenience.

Problems with periods

Many women visit us at The St Edmunds due to problems with their periods. This could be anything from painful periods to heavy or irregular periods. Some patients may suffer from Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS), while others may find that their periods have stopped completely. Endometriosis and ovarian pain are two other conditions we see patients for at The St Edmunds, both of which can be very distressing.

A condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb begins to grow in other places (including the fallopian tubes and the ovaries), endometriosis can affect women of any age and is often challenging to diagnose. A long-term condition, it can drastically impact your life.

Ovarian cysts

At The St Edmunds, we regularly see patients with ovarian cysts. These fluid-like sacs grow on the ovaries and are usually harmless. They may disappear without treatment but can cause some symptoms, which include bloating, irregular periods and pain or discomfort in the tummy.

Larger cysts may need to be surgically removed and some cysts can be caused by endometriosis or abnormal cell growth.

A uro-gynaecology consultation at The St Edmunds generally involves:

• Taking a full medical history of the patient 
• Asking about symptoms
• Examining the patient
• Giving expert advice
• An investigation and treatment plan.

Smear tests may be required, and some patients may wish to be fitted with the contraceptive coil. An ultrasound scan may be needed also, depending on the patient’s condition – and if required, they may need to be referred to another clinic or specialist too.

If the patient presents with a urinary incontinence problem, a uro-dynamics test might be arranged. While this test is not currently performed at Bury St Edmunds, this can be done privately at the West Suffolk Hospital.

The test, which is performed to find out how your bladder and the urethra are working, can help our Consultant diagnose bladder problems. These include incontinence or difficulty passing urine.

Patients may need an X-ray and during the procedure, your bladder is filled and emptied while pressure readings are taken from the bladder and the tummy. The test works by replicating your symptoms, which helps our Uro-gynaecologist determine what is causing them. 

Our Consultants can undertake a wide range of procedures, including routine investigations.

Here are some more reasons why you might choose The St Edmunds for your uro-gynaecology consultation:

• Reduced waiting times – Patients who visit The St Edmunds Hospital can, of course, benefit from shorter waiting times when they need to see a uro-gynaecologist. This is especially useful if you are worried about your symptoms.
• Flexible appointments at a time to suit you – You can choose an appointment time to suit you and your schedule. Remote consultations may also be offered, where possible; if investigations are required you will need to visit the practice.
• Consultant-led appointments – Your gynaecology appointment at The St Edmunds will always be Consultant-led and you’ll see the same person every time.
• Patient satisfaction and personalised care – In an independent survey* in 2020, 99% of our patients said they would recommend The St Edmunds Hospital, and the hospital has a CQC overall rating of ‘Good’. *Results compiled by healthcare agency, Quality Health.

While the medical treatment is exactly the same as the NHS, says our consultant. Privately, though, the patient gets a bit more ‘hoteling’, such as their own room, nicer food, and they can choose when to have the operation. 

The St Edmunds Hospital covers a wide catchment area, with patients visiting our uro-gynaecology clinic from Bury St Edmunds itself, Denham, Cockfield, Woolpit, Gazeley, and further afield within Suffolk.

Want to book a consultation with our Consultant Uro-Gynaecologist at The St Edmunds Hospital? You can get in touch with our team by calling 01284 701371. You can also use our handy online booking system to make your appointment.