Our Consultant Gynaecologist, Mrs Pradnya Pisal, spoke with The Independent to provide insight on an important topic focusing on some of the most common postpartum health issues. To read the article, click here.
Many women will have taken up cycling during the pandemic and perhaps will decide to continue cycling as a way of travelling into work when lockdown restrictions ease and as we brace the ‘new normal’.
Our consultant Gynaecologist, Mrs Pradnya Pisal, spoke with Cycling News to outline the various ways long hours cycling can affect our most delicate parts.
Diagnosing labial and vaginal conditions:
Chafing
The skin around the genital area and the groin/medium part of the thigh may experience chafing caused by a mixture of contact friction, sweat and the fabric of your cycling clothes. The superficial layer of the skin is abraded and causes that area to be sensitive and painful.
“If chafing is ignored, it can turn into open sores due to the damage of the top layer of the skin.
Skin sensitivity and numbness
“Sitting on a saddle for a long time can cause sensitivity or numbness of the labia and perineal area. The pressure on the skin affects the nerve endings, and this repeated pressure on the nerve endings [can cause tingling and sensitivity]. Over a period of time that sensitivity and tingling sensation will turn to numbness, so there is almost a loss of the superficial nerve endings in that area of the skin.”
Labial enlargement
Pressure on a woman’s vulva can cause the labia to become swollen and appear bigger. Some women already have asymmetrical or enlarged (hypertrophied) labia and this can exacerbate the issues listed above. I have come across women with enlarged labia who have sought labiaplasty (surgery to reduce the size of the labia) as the pressure causes intense pain during cycle rides so much so that they are unable to continue riding.
Vaginal irritation and infection (thrush and bacterial vaginosis)
Thrush is a very common vaginal infection, caused by an overgrowth of yeasts which live normally in the bowel and may be present in other parts of the body, such as the mouth, skin and vagina. Thrush occurs when the good bacteria in the vagina can’t keep the fungus under control, creating a suitable environment for the overgrowth of this fungus. When cycling, there is a lot of perspiration and so the sweat collects in that area of the skin and any stagnation of sweat over a surface is likely to result in growth of fungus. The advice is to not linger in your clothes after a bike ride and to wash them immediately, so not to allow the yeast to grow.
Urinary tract infections (UTI)
A UTI is an infection of your bladder, so you may feel the sudden urge to pee and experience pain or a stinging sensation when peeing. These usually are caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract. Using the right padded cycle shorts without underwear is important. Always wash the shorts immediately and use a fresh pair each time you ride a bike. Cycling shorts will get damp with sweat with little ventilation and rubbed up against your body is a breeding ground for bacteria. Also dehydration or going on long bike rides without emptying the bladder quick enough can cause this so ensure you drink plenty of water and empty the bladder without delaying too much, to help flush bacteria out and prevent urinary tract infections. This will help to avoid pressure symptoms but also prevent vaginal and urinary tract infections.
To continue reading the full article, click here.
We would like to inform patients that our clinic remains open despite the new tier 4 restrictions that affect London. In line with government advice, we are continuing to see patients as normal for all gynaecological conditions and complaints.
Over the Christmas and new year period, we will continue to run clinics but at a reduced capacity.
Our Consultant Gynaecologist, Mr Narendra Pisal, is featured in Women’s Health online to reveal all about the baby blues, from what they are to how they differ from post-natal depression and tips for keeping the baby blues at bay. To read the full article, click here.
Women’s health is at the heart of London Gynaecology, and in addition to helping women through our practice we are passionate about supporting charitable causes. We’re proud to share that on Sunday 4th October, Consultant Gynaecologist Mr Narendra Pisal, will be taking part in the first ever virtual London Marathon, joining 45,000 runners around the world who are each running from their own starting points.
Mr Pisal is raising money for women’s health services at The Whittington Hospital where he has worked for the last 17 years in the department of gynaecological oncology and says, “There’s no doubt that the NHS needs funds more than ever right now and so all the money raised will be used to improve women’s health services at The Whittington Hospital, which is much needed during this incredibly challenging time for the NHS.”
Having completed 14 marathons and previously fundraised for gynaecological cancer charities, Mr Pisal had hoped to participate in both the Comrades and London marathons this year but due to the pandemic this was not possible.
London Gynaecology is delighted to support this cause and will match every pound donated up to £5,000. If you would like to help Mr Pisal reach his target please click here to visit his fundraising page.
The advice surrounding oily fish in pregnancy can be rather confusing. Laura Southern, our nutritional therapist, clarifies what oily fish is safe to eat while pregnant and what is best to be avoided altogether.
Oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring and trout contain high levels of omega 3 fats. These are essential for helping develop baby’s brain, however certain oily fish are very toxic and should be avoided.
Due to sea pollution, fish farmed from the sea is usually contaminated with mercury and PCBs. The larger the fish, the higher up the food chain it is, which means the toxicity levels are much higher than smaller fish.
What is safe to eat during pregnancy and what should you avoid?
Make an appointment
If you would like to learn more about pregnancy nutrition with Laura Southern, or if would like to book a consultation with any other member of the London Gynaecology team, please call 0207 10 11 700 or email [email protected]
Genital warts is one of the most common STI in the UK in men and women however with HPV vaccination, the incidence is rapidly declining. Miss Julie Bowring MRCOG MFSRH, our consultant gynaecologist reveals more about genital warts from what causes them to how they’re treated and how to reduce your risk…
What causes genital warts?
Genital warts are caused by low risk subtypes of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This is a very common sexually transmitted virus that can affect the lower genital area in men and women. The virus can be passed on easily by having vaginal or anal sex, but also from close skin-to-skin contact with someone who already has HPV.
There are several different strains of HPV, some strains cause a person to develop lumps on the genital skin or inside the vagina or anus, these are known as genital warts or condylomas. The commonest strains linked to genital warts are 6 and 11.
It is important to note that HPV strains causing warts are low risk strains and do not cause cancer.
How are genital warts treated?
There are treatments that can be offered to help warts go away. Treatments currently offered include creams that you can apply yourself, freezing (cryotherapy) often performed by a nurse or doctor using liquid nitrogen. If the warts are very large or persistent, laser surgery might be performed to remove them. Often, treatment is not needed and the warts will disappear spontaneously through your own immunity.
How can I reduce my risk?
Whilst condoms are advised for preventing sexually transmitted infections, they won’t always stop HPV passing from person to person as close skin contact is all that’s needed to spread HPV. The (HPV) vaccine GARDASIL-9, protects against HPV subtypes 6&11 and thus reduces the risk of getting genital warts by 90%.
Talking about genital warts can be difficult and many people worry about passing it on to their partners. Having a sexual health check for both partners is advisable before starting a new relationship.
If you think you may have genital warts, please speak with your local sexual health clinic or gynaecologist.
Should you decide to book an appointment with a private gynaecologist, fees are often an important factor. We believe that it is crucial for patients to be aware of the cost of fees as early in their journey as possible and have created self pay packages in order to make costs as transparent as possible.
The cost of a new appointment with a gynaecologist
The cost of a new appointment with a private gynaecologist at London Gynaecology is £280. The appointment will last for 30 minutes and this will be with one of our highly experienced consultant gynaecologists, many of whom hold senior positions at their NHS hospitals and collectively bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to London Gynaecology.
The cost of an appointment includes the following:
Please see our fees page for details of pricing for our services including early pregnancy packages.
Full details of pricing for services at London Gynaecology including outpatient procedures and self-pay packages can be found here.
Make an appointment
For appointments and enquires or to learn more about any of our services please call 0207 10 11 700 or email the team on [email protected]
Around 600,000 smear tests that would have normally been carried out in UK during April and May 2020 were cancelled or delayed due to Coronavirus. This does not include the. 1.5 million people who were overdue before the pandemic.'(Source: Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.)
It is extremely important to attend your regular cervical screening when due, it helps save approximately 5,000 lives a year.
We know that discomfort is a major factor in women putting off their smear, here are some tips to make your smear test more comfortable.
1. Listen to music or watch TV: Nowadays with smart phones, watching a movie or listening to music or a podcast is easy to do in any location. Take your headphones and your phone and get prepared to zone out. And don’t worry, if you do forget your headphones ask the nurse if she minds you watching or listening anyway.
2. Equipment: Ask, if available, for the nurse to use a plastic speculum or a small speculum. Plastic is often warmer than metal and it’s clear so it’s easier for the nurse to see the cervix and a smaller speculum is more comfortable. They aren’t always available but don’t be afraid to ask.
3. Count from 1 to 100: Paula Radcliffe used to use this strategy towards the end of her marathon and many patients have found it useful. Often the smear is done well before you get to 50.
4. Paracetamol: Take a dose of paracetamol 30 minutes before your smear which will take some of the discomfort away.
5. Numbing gel: If all else fails, ask the nurse to use a small amount of numbing gel. Previously there was a concern that the gel would affect the smear cytology but with liquid based cytology which is used nowadays a small amount of gel will not interfere with the quality.
Nurses understand that smears aren’t the most pleasurable of experiences and will often do as much as they can to help. If your smear test is overdue, please don’t delay, book it today with your GP or gynaecologist.
Nutritional Therapist Laura Southern at London Gynaecology reveals everything you need to know about Chia seeds and why you should be sprinkling them onto your food. Laura reveals their health benefits, from how they can help if you’re prone to constipation and irregular bowels to hormone issues.
You can read the full article in Women’s Health here.