Living well and gynaecology

Leading a healthy lifestyle is important for both physical and mental health. It is the best way to keep your reproductive system healthy.

A healthy lifestyle includes eating a balanced and varied diet and drinking plenty of fluids, moving around regularly and keeping active, and getting enough sleep. It also means keeping up to date with health screenings and vaccinations.

Specialist physiotherapists in pelvic health can help with some gynaecological conditions. You will need a referral from your doctor to use the NHS service in Dorset, or you can pay for private physiotherapy support.

Talking therapy can help with some gynaecological conditions or help you to manage distressing symptoms.

A gynaecological problem can be something you live with long term. There are things you can do, and places you can go for support, to make sure your long-term condition doesn’t stop you living the life you want to live – even if some symptoms are embarrassing or distressing.

Chronic pain can be very difficult to live with and can cause emotional, social and economic difficulties. You may experience depression, difficulty sleeping and disruption to your daily routine. Talk to your doctor if this is the case. The support of other women who also experience pelvic pain may also help.

More than five million people in the UK have problems with urinary incontinence. Sadly, only one in eight people feel able to tell someone that they are also experiencing faecal incontinence or soiling. It is important to know that, given time and patience, a great deal of problems with incontinence can be cured or at least improved.

Keeping your stress levels low and having close relationships with other people are important for your mental and emotional health, especially when you are managing a gynaecological condition that may have difficult or embarrassing symptoms.