Family Planning -
The Practice run a Family Planning Clinic every Wednesday afternoon. Advice on all forms of contraception is available in the clinic. In addition, all the GPs are qualified to provide you with Family Planning advice. All female patients on the pill are advised to have regular Blood Pressure, Breast and Cervical Smear checks carried out.

Emergency Contraception - The 'morning after pill' can be used up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse but it is most effective when used during the first 24 hours. Please ask for an appointment to see a doctor at the next available surgery.

WOMEN'S HEALTH PAGE

Breast Cancer - this is probably one of the most scariest of fears for most women but with those breast cancers, which are caught early, the prognosis is currently extremely good. Regular self examination is paramount if you are going to discover anything untoward at an early stage. A Practice Nurse can show you how this should be done. Family history will show any tendencies one way or the other and those women most at risk are those with close female relatives who have had breast cancer. These patients should let their doctor know about this risk so that it can be properly assessed and suitable investigations, such as mammograms, can be organised on a regular basis.  Any significant change detected in your breast tissue should be immediately notified to the doctor. Many lumps prove to be benign but in all cases a proper medical examination should take place as soon as possible. Early diagnosis is crucial and if it does turn out to be cancer, it may enable the surgeon to carry out a simple lumpectomy instead of more radical surgery.   

Female Incontinence - Doctors and nurses understand all too well that some problems can be difficult to discuss but they are also aware that living with them can be even more embarrassing. Urinary incontinence can affect you emotionally as well as physically. Around 3 million people in the UK suffer with incontinence in varying degrees.   
It may mean you leak a few drops of urine each time you cough, have the discomfort of a constant dribble or face the

Thinking of starting a family

Rubella Immunity- Have a blood test to check you are immune to rubella. If contracted during pregnancy your baby may be severely affected.

Cervical Smear - If you haven't had a smear for some time, check with your nurse or GP to see if you need one.

Weight - Try to get close to your correct weight as you will then have less problems with conditions such as backache during pregnancy.

Alcohol - Cut down on alcohol intake before and during the pregnancy for a healthier baby.

Smoking - GIVE UP

Folic Acid - All women are advised to take 400 micrograms folic acid daily while trying to conceive and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Cervical Smears -
Smear tests for women involve an examination of the cervix to check for changes which occur before cancer develops. These changes can be easily treated and cancer prevented. We recommend that all women up to the age of 65 should have regular smears unless advised otherwise by their GP. The Practice sends out reminders when this is due but if you are in any doubt, please ask. You can make an appointment with a Nurse to have a smear carried out, or any of the doctors can do this test during an ordinary consultation. You will not be informed if the result is negative. However, if for any reason there is an abnormality or the smear needs repeating in less than the usual 3 year cycle, you will receive a letter. Alternatively you can phone to check the results, please leave 4 weeks and phone in the afternoon.


Mammograms - The Department of Health has established a programme of 3 yearly mammograms for women between 50 and 65 years. Women can continue after the age of 65 if they so wish. In younger women mammograms are arranged with the hospital if needed. 

STRESS INCONTINENCE which can cause people to:

-Leak urine when they cough, sneeze or laugh
-Go to the loo frequently to avoid leaks
-Avoid exercise to prevent leaks
-Sometimes leak urine as they get up from a chair

URGE INCONTINENCE which can cause people to:

-Wet themselves if they don't go to the loo immediately
-Get up frequently during the night
-Go to the loo very frequently
-Feel they have a weak bladder and cannot hold their water
-Wet the bed at night

OVERFLOW INCONTINENCE which can cause people to:

-Dribble urine through the day
-Get up frequently during the night to pass urine
-Take a long time to pass urine and have a weak stream
-Urinate small amounts and not feel empty afterwards

80% of all sufferers can be helped or cured. Until now only one in twelve people with this problem, have asked for help. Treatment begins with accurate diagnosis and includes options such as special exercises, medication and in some cases surgery. Make sure you get the help and support you need, make an appointment with your doctor or nurse and you could soon be free of this embarrassing problem.

Cystitis - The symptoms are stinging and burning sensations when passing urine, often accompanied by needing to pass urine very frequently. Drink plenty of water and if the symptoms persist, see a doctor. To speed up diagnosis, bring a fresh sample of urine in a clean sealed container, with you for testing.

Thrush - Symptoms are vaginal itching and soreness, often with a white discharge. Treatment is with Canteen peccaries, creams or an oral capsule available without prescription from your pharmacist. Avoid soaps and bubble baths and refrain from intercourse for a week after the symptoms have gone.

Diet during pregnancy -  Eat healthily, avoiding anything in excess. Some foods should not be eaten, soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert and Blue Cheese may be contaminated with Listeria bacteria. Raw eggs may carry a risk of Salmonella and Liver and vitamin A supplements are considered unsafe.  Always ensure microwaved  foods are properly cooked through and don't eat foods past their use by dates.

FASTING FOR BLOOD TESTS
Some blood test require a minimum period of 14 hours without food. This is often more convenient for patients to do overnight with the blood sample taken early the following morning. This way most of the period without food is whilst asleep.
Fasting means absolutely no food and no drink apart from still water (NO tea, coffeee, fruit juice, alcohol etc.)