Your doctor or other health professional may refer you for further investigations or to see a specialist based at the hospital. You may also choose to see a specialist doctor privately.
Prevention and screening
To prevent certain gynaecological and breast cancers, women and girls in the UK are offered vaccinations, screening and sexual health support.
Investigations – what to expect
Biopsies
Cervical biopsy: A cervical biopsy is a test in which small samples of tissue, the size of a pin head, are taken from the cervix and sent to the laboratory to be examined.
Womb biopsy: This is called an endometrial biopsy. It’s similar to a smear test but requires a sample from the inside of the womb.
Blood test and other samples
Blood tests are sometimes required to give your doctor more information.
Other samples which can help to investigate your symptoms can include:
Colposcopy
If your cervical smear test has shown some abnormal cells, you may need a further investigation called a colposcopy.
Hysteroscopy
A hysteroscopy looks inside the cavity of the uterus. It is performed using a very fine telescope, called a hysteroscope, which has a camera at the end.
Laparoscopy
A gynaecological laparoscopy is a procedure (often called keyhole surgery) to look inside your lower abdomen or tummy.
MRI scan
To have an MRI scan you will be given a small injection of dye which will show up your organs when you are inside the scanning machine. The scanner takes multiple images of your body to find the cause of symptoms.
Ultrasound scan
An ultrasound is a procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of the body. This may be done with an ultrasound probe being placed on your stomach or inside your vagina. The ultrasound waves are painless.
Vulvoscopy
A vulvoscopy involves examining the vulval skin with a special magnifying instrument with a light attached.
Types of treatment and support options
If investigations show that you have a condition that requires treatment, your healthcare professional will discuss your options with you.
Cervical treatments
Cautery treatment: Cautery is a treatment which uses heat to destroy abnormal cells on the cervix.
Removal of cervical polyps: Cervical polyps are removed with an instrument called polyp forceps. The instrument is used to grasp the base for the polyp and the polyp is removed with a gentle twisting motion.
Hormone treatments
Your doctor may suggest hormone treatment for some gynaecological conditions like menopause. This can come in different forms like tablets, creams, gels or patches. They will discuss all the possibilities with you to suit your preferences or lifestyle.
Medication
Your doctor may prescribe medicines which they will explain to you. You can also get advice from your local pharmacist for common symptoms like thrush or period pain.
Pessary fitting
You may be offered a pessary to treat conditions like vaginal prolapse. A vaginal pessary is a small removable device that can be inserted into the vagina to support the vaginal walls. It can be inserted by a specialist health professional like a physiotherapist, clinical nurse specialist or doctor.
Surgery
Knowing what to expect if you need an operation can help you to recover as quickly and completely as possible.
The British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy has a lot of useful information on its website about different operations. If your doctor has mentioned a specific procedure you can search for information on the website.
The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology also has a lot of useful information.
For information and downloadable patient information leaflets and support websites to help you both prepare and aid your recovery from surgery, please visit: British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy. More information is also available on the Royal College of Gynaecologists website.
Examples of surgery
Colpocleisis
A surgical procedure to correct advanced vaginal prolapse by sewing the front and back walls of the vagina together.
Dilation and curettage
A common gynaecological procedure to remove a portion of the lining of the uterus. It can be carried out for several reasons including diagnosis and investigations, the treatment of heavy bleeding, abortion or removal of abnormal growths. It can also be carried out after a miscarriage.
Endometrial Ablation
A procedure to destroy the lining of the uterus. As a result of the procedure periods either stop or reduce so they are more manageable.
Endometrial ablation patient advice – Dorset County Hospital
Hysteroscopy or endoscopy
These procedures involve the insertion of a small camera into the vagina to examine the vagina, cervix, womb and fallopian tubes and/or to undertake small surgical procedures like the removal of fibroids.
Hysteroscopy in the outpatient clinic – University Hospitals Dorset
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is a surgical removal of the uterus or womb. It may be combined with the removal of the fallopian tubes and one or both ovaries. There are different ways of performing a hysterectomy and your doctor will explain them if you need surgery.
