Gynaecology in Great Missenden

The Chiltern Hospital offers an expert gynaecological service delivered by a world-class team of Consultant Gynaecologists. Not only are our team highly experienced in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of gynaecological conditions, they are committed to providing a safe and comfortable experience for all patients.

The department treats conditions in female patients, including adolescent girls aged twelve and above, relating to the reproductive system, which includes the vagina, cervix, womb, ovaries and pelvic floor. This is a multifactorial medical speciality, sensitive to natural processes such as puberty, pregnancy, fertility, childbirth and menopause, which can all require special attention as they take their course over a patient’s lifetime. 

As your Consultant leads on your care from your first consultation to your last, you are sure to enjoy clarity, evidence-based information and peace of mind within The Chiltern Hospital’s Gynaecological unit. The exceptional diagnostic and medical technology we have available, coupled with the outstanding experience and expertise of our team, ensures the excellence of your care. Meanwhile, our clean and high spec facilities, supportive care team, and fast access to resources ensure that your experience as a whole is convenient, private, and comfortable. 

A Consultant Gynaecologist studies and treats conditions relating to the female reproductive system, including issues with or changes to the vagina, cervix, womb, ovaries and pelvic floor. This is a broad medical speciality that includes Urogynaecology, a subspecialty focused on urinary incontinence, uterine or pelvic floor prolapse, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder pain and perineal issues.

It is wise to book an appointment with a Gynaecologist if you are experiencing unexplained vaginal bleeding, heavy or irregular periods, abdominal or pelvic pain, an itching or burning sensation in the vulva or vagina, or unusual vaginal discharge. Other reasons for booking a consultation might include urinary incontinence, postpartum issues, such as a perineal wound infection, and painful sexual intercourse. The Chiltern Hospital also offers essential fertility services, such as blood tests, ultrasound scans, basic investigations such as hysteroscopy, laparoscopy and dye test, and general guidance during pregnancy (a private gynaecological service, however, is not a full obstetric service and should not replace NHS services).

Consultant Gynaecologists also provide specialist advice and treatment for women going through the menopause. This natural process can sometimes cause unpleasant symptoms for a period of years during a woman’s life. These symptoms can be managed with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), as well as other medical solutions which a Gynaecology unit is responsible for providing.

Endometriosis is a long-term gynaecological condition that affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and general pelvic area. Patients with endometriosis may experience pain during sex, severe period pain, or pelvic pain and should book an appointment if any of these symptoms manifest. There are non-surgical solutions for managing endometriosis, such as painkillers, hormone medicines, and contraceptives, though a surgical procedure can be the best option in some cases.

Surgery may also be necessary for some ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, which, while extremely common and often unnoticed, can cause uncomfortable symptoms in some cases and ultimately require removal. We also have a specialised Interventional Radiology Service that can offer conservative treatments for non-malignant cysts and fibroids. If a malignant growth is found, a Gynaecologist will hold multi-disciplinary meetings and work closely with relevant departments, such as Oncology, as is necessary.

The Chiltern Hospital’s Gynaecology Unit also offers outpatient treatments such as coil insertion and removal, cervical screening, vulval biopsies, excision of vulval cysts and bladder instillation. 

Booking an appointment with one of our expert Gynaecologists is as easy as getting in touch with our friendly enquiry team, who can organise a consultation that is convenient and prompt, with no waiting lists. Whether you have been referred by your GP, a specialist from another department or are choosing to book by yourself, our team will help you select an appropriate consultant for your needs.

After you’ve arrived for your appointment and received a warm welcome from our reception team, your Gynaecologist will greet you and lead you to the consultation room. Here, your Consultant will lead a conversation with you about your symptoms, medical history and reason for booking an appointment. This discussion is also an opportunity to discuss any triggers, traumas, or contributing factors for your symptoms that you’d like to mention. After this conversation, your Consultant will carry out a physical examination if required, in which case you will be offered a chaperone, usually a member of our outpatient nursing team.

Following this, your Consultant will consider the next diagnostic steps to take and set about organising the necessary tests with you. It may be that this investigation can be carried out straight away, such as a blood test, but more usually, you will arrange an appointment within the next two weeks.

Our unit has access to cutting edge technology and resources which are available to our patients as needed. For example, a very common diagnostic test is a pelvic ultrasound, which is warranted by typical symptoms such as heavy bleeding and pelvic pain. Other advanced imaging equipment such as MRI and CT scanners may be required to test for endometriosis, pelvic cysts, fertility issues, and gynaecological cancers. Investigative diagnostic procedures, such as a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), urodynamic tests, laparoscopy, and hysteroscopy, may also be arranged at this stage. These sorts of procedures allow the Consultant to examine the uterus, abdomen, pelvis, and womb, either through performance observation or with the use of a camera.

When your test results are ready, you will be invited back to see your Consultant and discuss your diagnosis and treatment plan. Several surgical and non-surgical gynaecological treatments may be appropriate for your case, and your Consultant will talk you through them in detail. Examples of these include surgeries, which may be to remove cysts, reconstruct penirial damage, or cut away malignant growths, injections to treat incontinence, and physical therapy to exercise and strengthen the pelvic floor. Whatever the next stage of your care, your Consultant will be there to agree on a plan with you and answer all of your questions.

Should it be necessary to arrange surgery, your Consultant will thoroughly explain the procedure, and our team will organise all of the details. If you are paying for your own treatment, you’ll be offered a fixed price quote, which will be sent to you in writing.

Receiving any care at The Chiltern Hospital, whether that is a diagnostic procedure or a surgical treatment, is as comfortable, private, and peaceful as possible. Thanks to the hospital’s fantastic facilities and our team’s unwavering commitment to your support and peace of mind, you will enjoy a reassuring experience with us throughout. The procedures themselves all take place in state-of-the-art operating theatres and treatment rooms, with state of the art equipment and technology. 

Our Consultants understand that gynaecological conditions, like any medical issue, can bring with them a little anxiety and stress. This is why your care is led, overseen and delivered by your Consultant Gynaecologist from start to finish, even if your condition requires testing or attention from other departments. 

Having been put at ease from your very first enquiry, you will find the same friendly, welcoming and encouraging reception from everybody you encounter in our Gynaecology Unit.

More than this, your case will be handled promptly and efficiently, with tests, appointments, and procedures organised sharply, without waiting lists, so that your discomfort is eased as quickly and effectively as possible. 

Speak with our friendly enquiry team today to book your initial consultation with an expert Consultant Gynaecologist.