Women's Health

Yes. A GP is a good place to start. We can talk through your symptoms, check whether anything else might be contributing, and discuss the options - from lifestyle measures to menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) - referring on only if that's needed.

It's worth booking if your periods soak through pads or tampons quickly, last more than about a week, come with flooding or large clots, or leave you tired or short of breath. We can look for causes - such as iron deficiency, fibroids, PCOS or endometriosis - and talk through ways to manage them.

All of it - the pill, mini-pill, vaginal ring, contraceptive implant (Implanon), hormonal and copper IUDs, the injection, and non-hormonal options. We can weigh up effectiveness, bleeding patterns, side effects and your history, and I can start or arrange most options.

Yes. A GP can do the initial assessment for polycystic ovary syndrome - history, examination and the relevant tests - and help manage symptoms such as irregular periods, skin changes and fertility questions, involving a specialist when that's helpful.

Yes, please book to have it checked. Most breast changes are not cancer, but a new lump, pain or change deserves an examination and, if needed, the right imaging so you get a clear answer.

No. Cervical screening is done in general practice, and self-collection is now available to most people due for routine screening (some situations, such as certain symptoms or follow-up, still need a clinician-collected sample). You can book directly - no referral needed.

Yes - low iron is one of the most common things I check for, particularly with heavy periods, ongoing tiredness, hair thinning, breathlessness or feeling faint. A simple blood test, including your ferritin (iron stores), shows whether you're low, and treatment ranges from dietary changes and iron tablets to an iron infusion when that's appropriate. Just as important, we look for and treat the underlying cause, such as heavy periods.