Treatment and support options

If investigations show that you have a condition that requires treatment, your healthcare professional will discuss your options with you.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It also has information and downloadable patient information leaflets and support websites to help you both prepare and aid your recovery from surgery.

The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology also has a lot of useful information.

Colpocleisis: A surgical procedure to correct advanced vaginal prolapse by sewing the front and back walls of the vagina together.

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.

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.

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.

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.