Gynaecology service in Surrey

Gynaecology is the study of the female reproductive system - this includes your uterus, ovaries, cervix and vagina. The functions, medical disorders and diseases of the female reproductive system all fall under the heading of gynaecology.

Gynaecological complaints range from menstrual problems to uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, cervical polyps, and gynaecological cancer.  Depending on your personal and physical circumstances, your consultant gynaecologist may provide advice, organise tests, perform examinations, or recommend surgery. Gynaecology clinics can also provide advice on options for contraception and treat disorders during the early stages of your pregnancy.

We are proud to work with a number of experienced consultant gynaecologists who can help test, diagnose, and treat many gynaecological issues to help significantly improve your quality of life.

Gynaecology treatment at The Runnymede Hospital in Chertsey

Our consultant gynaecologists offer regular outpatient clinics and a range of specialist diagnostic services for women's health and female reproductive issues. Should you need an operation of any kind, many of our consultants are experienced gynaecological surgeons.

The Runnymede Hospital is in the historic town of Chertsey in Surrey. People come to us from all over Surrey, including Addlestone, Weybridge, Byfleet, and West Byfleet. We also welcome patients from further afield and even overseas.

Here, we take the time to understand both the cause of your condition and how it affects you as a person, by getting to know you and your circumstances. No matter how severe your symptoms, your consultant will diagnose your condition and build your tailored treatment plan to suit your needs, helping treat, manage or even eliminate your health concern. 

There are many symptoms that mean you may need to see a gynaecologist, including:

• Heavy periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Intermittent or irregular periods
• Abdominal or pelvic pain during or between periods
• Itching or burning and irregular discharge

You might also want to discuss contraception with your gynaecologist, or speak to them about the early stages of pregnancy.

Gynaecological conditions that might require treatment

There are several gynaecological conditions that can be treated through a variety of non-surgical and surgical gynaecological treatment options, including: 

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of your womb (the endometrium) starts to grow in other places in your body, such as your ovaries and fallopian tubes, and around the organs in your pelvis.

Endometriosis affects one in 10 women in the UK. One of the most common issues associated with the condition is that it is difficult to diagnose, taking an average of seven and a half years from when a person first reports their symptoms.

Endometriosis causes severe pelvic pain, pain during sex and, often, infertility, as well as many other symptoms.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a condition where tissue from the endometrium (lining of your womb) grows deep into the myometrium (the muscle of your uterus). It affects one in 10 women in the UK. Like endometriosis, it can also take years to diagnose. Symptoms of adenomyosis include, but are not limited to, heavy, painful, or irregular periods and severe pelvic pain.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in your uterus. They can lead to feelings of heaviness and pressure across your pelvic area. If left untreated, uterine fibroids will continue to grow. They can cause heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain.

There are several types of uterine fibroids. Each is determined by its location in your womb. The three main types are:

• Intramural fibroids: These grow within the muscle wall of your womb and are the most common type of fibroid
• Subserosal fibroids: These develop on the outside of your womb and can grow into your pelvis
• Submucosal fibroids: These form in the muscle layer that sits beneath the inner lining of your womb

Most people with uterine fibroids are unaware that they have them. In most cases, this is because they do not produce any symptoms. However, in other cases, uterine fibroids can result in distressing symptoms that can only be alleviated through treatment.

Prolapse of the uterus

This occurs when your uterus slips down from its normal position and bulges into your vagina. It can cause significant pain and discomfort and result in urinary incontinence (leaking urine when you cough, sneeze or exercise). It can also cause discomfort and numbness during sex. A prolapse of the uterus can often occur after you give birth.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

This is a bacterial infection of the female reproductive system. If detected early, it can be effectively treated with antibiotics. If not, it can spread, causing damage to your womb and fallopian tubes, resulting in long-term pain. A hysterectomy to remove your womb and fallopian tubes might be recommended if you experience extreme pain from PID that has not been alleviated through other treatment options.

You can usually see a consultant gynaecologist for your initial consultation within 48 hours of booking your appointment with us.

At this first appointment, your consultant will ask about your general health and examine your medical history. They will want to know about existing medical conditions you suffer from, as well as the current symptoms you are experiencing. They will also want to know how these symptoms impact your everyday life, how often they occur, and whether you have tried treatment options for them already.

Next, your consultant will gently carry out a physical examination of your pelvis to check for any points of tenderness or visible problems, such as lesions or cysts. If a problem is found, your consultant will organise further testing.

This might include an ultrasound scan, which offers your consultant the best digital view of your reproductive organs. Or you may need to have a laparoscopy, which allows your consultant to look inside your stomach, using a very small camera. The latter procedure is necessary to conclusively diagnose conditions including endometriosis and ovarian cysts. It's a surgical procedure that our gynaecologists perform very regularly at Circle Health Group.

It is important to remember that your initial consultation is a positive step in your journey toward better health. Your consultant is there to answer any questions you might have about your condition(s) and ease any concerns you might experience about undergoing gynaecological surgery.

The wait between your initial consultation and undergoing treatment depends on your individual circumstances and whether you have been diagnosed with a gynaecological condition. When you go private with Circle health Group, our team will book you in for surgery as soon as is necessary, and we don't cancel or rearrange operations except in extreme circumstances.

After your initial consultation, our multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals will ensure you understand the next steps in your journey and how to prepare for surgery, if needed.

Whether you are experiencing issues with menstruation, or chronic pelvic pain, our team will strive to help reduce your symptoms and make the right decisions for you. Gynaecological procedures that we perform at Circle Health Group include:

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a radical operation to remove your uterus (womb). If necessary, your ovaries can be removed at the same time. The common reasons for having a hysterectomy include heavy periods, fibroids, uterine prolapse, endometriosis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian cysts.

Endometrial ablation

An endometrial ablation is an operation to remove the lining of your womb. The most common reason for having an endometrial ablation is to experience relief from the symptoms of heavy periods – most women will experience a noticeable reduction in their periods and, in some cases, periods stop altogether.

The procedure is done under a general anaesthetic, where your gynaecologist will use electricity or laser energy to remove the lining of your womb and any polyps or small fibroids they find.

Laparoscopic sterilisation

A laparoscopic sterilisation is a permanent method of female contraception. It involves blocking both fallopian tubes to stop you from becoming pregnant. Afterwards, you will no longer need to use another form of contraception.

The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes about twenty minutes. Your gynaecologist will make several small cuts on your abdomen. The most common method of sterilisation is to block each fallopian tube with a clip.

Oophorectomy

An oophorectomy is the surgical removal of your ovaries. It is often performed as part of a hysterectomy, but may be carried out alone.

During an oophorectomy, you’ll be anaesthetised, meaning you will not be awake throughout the surgery. This procedure can be carried out to remove an ovarian cyst that is causing pain, lethargy, bloating or bladder issues, and treat conditions such as endometriosis.

It can also be performed to remove cancerous ovaries or the ovaries of women at high risk of developing ovarian cancer.

To find out more about the gynaecological procedures we offer specifically at The Runnymede Hospital, you can book and appointment with one of our specialists online or call a member of our advisory team on 0141 300 5009.

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Support by the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about general surgery at The Runnymede Hospital, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0808 189 4871.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in September 2022. Next review due September 2025.