Womans Health

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Breast Screening

All women aged 50-70 are invited for breast screening (mammogram) every 3 years. You can also have breast screening after this age but you will need to contact your local breast screening unit.

If you find a lump in your breast, please book to see a GP urgently who can arrange an urgent assessment at the hospital.

Also, see the following for other possible symptoms of breast cancer for which you should see a GP.

Cervical Screening

All women aged 25 – 64 are invited for a cervical screening test (smear test) every three to five years depending on your age.

When you receive your letter inviting you for screening please book a cervical screening appointment through reception. This can be done at any time as long as you are not bleeding.

If you have had a total abdominal hysterectomy you do not need a cervical screening test. Please let the practice know if you continue to receive invitation letters.

Pregnancy

Planning a pregnancy

Please see the following for advice to help you have a healthy pregnancy: NHS: Planning your Pregnancy.

If you have a long-term condition such as diabetes or epilepsy, or take a regular medication please book a GP appointment to discuss this before you become pregnant.

Pregnant

If you are pregnant you need to book for your antenatal care at a local hospital. Please do this as soon as possible.

You do not need to see a GP first but can book directly online with your choice of hospital.

Unwanted pregnancy

You can book a telephone appointment with a Doctor/ physician associate to discuss how you are feeling and the options available.

Please see the following websites for information on abortion services in South East London and how you can book an appointment:

Menopause and HRT

All women go through the menopause. It is when your ovaries run out of eggs and stop producing the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. This can cause a number of symptoms which vary widely between women eg hot flushes, sweats, low mood, tiredness, vaginal dryness.

It may also be associated with increased health risks such as cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes), loss of bone tissue (which can lead to osteoporosis which increases your risk of fractures) and bladder and vaginal symptoms.

To read more about symptoms of the menopause and what you can do to manage these, you may find it helpful to visit the following websites:

At Paxton Green, we are happy to prescribe hormone replacement therapy which involves taking oestrogen and progesterone to replace what your body no longer produces.

If you have a low sex drive during menopause, you can also have testosterone as a treatment. Testosterone works best when you are given oestrogen as well.

If you would like to discuss HRT or testosterone, then please speak to Reception to book an appointment in the Women’s Health Clinic. You can also book an appointment with any doctor or physician associate.

If you are already taking HRT you should have a review with a GP or a pharmacist 3 months after starting it and then every year.

If you are aged under 45 and are concerned that you may have symptoms of the menopause (infrequent, erratic or absent periods with flushes, sweats, poor sleep, low mood, tiredness) please do book a consultation with a doctor. It is very important that you get the correct diagnosis and advice regarding hormone treatment to help you feel better and to reduce your long term health risks.

HRT Prescriptions from 1st April 2023 Women in England prescribed HRT will be able to purchase a new pre-payment certificate allowing to receive a year’s worth of prescription items for £18.70.

If you are over 50 years, contraception needs to be used for one year after your last natural period. If you are under 50 this needs to be two years after your last period. 

This can be confusing if you are on contraception that either stops or gives you periods!

Find more information about HRT on the NHS website