Gynaecology

Gynaecology is the branch of medicine which deals with diseases of the female reproductive organs – vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries. Common problems include menstrual disorders, menopause problems, recurrent miscarriage, pelvic pain, fertility, abnormal smears, urinary problems, contraceptive problems, painful intercourse, and gynaecological cancers.

The Gynaecology Service provides emergency and elective treatment and cares for both local and regional patients at St George’s Hospital.

The acute gynaecology unit provides an emergency service whereby most patients are seen, scanned and treated during a single working day. Emergency conditions include:

• miscarriages
• ectopic pregnancies
• pelvic pain
• complications of ovarian cysts

The Gynaecology Department has 15 consultants. Many clinics operate on a one-stop basis where conditions are diagnosed and treated in one visit. The department can provide a full range of gynaecological laparoscopic procedures.

The Department is a training centre for endometrial ablation, which involves destroying the lining of the womb to cure menstrual problems and avoid the need for a hysterectomy. This can often be done under local anaesthetic.

St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a joint gynaecological cancer centre with the Royal Marsden Hospital. St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust also runs one of the UK’s busiest fibroid treatment centres and is one of the two centres in London able to offer all options for fibroid treatment. This includes ‘keyhole’ surgery, open surgery, uterus conserving surgery, hysteroscopic surgery and radiological fibroid treatment which includes embolisation.

Facilities

• Specifically designed suite
• PACS X-ray
• Ultrasounds
• HSG