Our Medical Services
Visiting a gynaecologist doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. At Southern Women’s Health, we champion values of dignity, compassion and respect. Our team will give you the personal touch and convenience you deserve.
If you have had surgery recently, your surgeon will have provided you with details on how to contact them for any post-operative concerns you may have. Alternatively, if not urgent, please call the rooms or use the contact us option to email the team. We will get back in touch with you during working hours.
For Emergencies call 111
We specialise in
01
Bleeding
Many women experience problems with bleeding such as heavy or irregular periods. Others may have very infrequent periods or be late to start having periods. Bleeding after going through menopause should also be investigated. We provide a thorough consultation and management plan for any of these issues.
02
Pelvic Pain
It is not uncommon to experience period pain but debilitating or chronic pain (persisting for more than 3 months) may be a sign of a more complex issue. Pain may also be related to issues with ovaries, bladder or bowels. Musculoskeletal conditions can compound pelvic pain. Chronic pain can be challenging to manage and is best improved when we work with other health professionals to form a comprehensive treatment plan.
02
Pelvic Pain
It is not uncommon to experience period pain but debilitating or chronic pain (persisting for more than 3 months) may be a sign of a more complex issue. Pain may also be related to issues with ovaries, bladder or bowels. Musculoskeletal conditions can compound pelvic pain. Chronic pain can be challenging to manage and is best improved when we work with other health professionals to form a comprehensive treatment plan.
03
Menopause
If symptoms of menopause are affecting your life or causing significant distress and you wish to discuss ways to treat them, please make an appointment. Common symptoms are hot flushes, night sweats, fluctuating emotions, insomnia, vaginal dryness
04
Prolapse
Some degree of prolapse is common in women who have been pregnant, and more common in those who have had one or more vaginal births. It can, however, be present even if you have not had children. Many additional factors can predispose you to vaginal prolapse. Symptoms include feeling a bulge/lump in or out of the vagina, bladder and bowel emptying difficulties or incontinence, problems with sex and lower back ache.
Conservative measures can be very effective, such as physiotherapy and the use of pessaries along with local oestrogen preparations. Vaginal surgery for significant prolapse includes anterior repair, posterior repair and vaginal hysterectomy, depending on the compartment affected. Abdominal procedures can also be performed for vaginal vault prolapse.
Neither Janet nor Jo uses vaginal mesh in the surgical management of prolapse.
04
Prolapse
Some degree of prolapse is common in women who have been pregnant, and more common in those who have had one or more vaginal births. It can, however, be present even if you have not had children. Many additional factors can predispose you to vaginal prolapse. Symptoms include feeling a bulge/lump in or out of the vagina, bladder and bowel emptying difficulties or incontinence, problems with sex and lower back ache.
Conservative measures can be very effective, such as physiotherapy and the use of pessaries along with local oestrogen preparations. Vaginal surgery for significant prolapse includes anterior repair, posterior repair and vaginal hysterectomy, depending on the compartment affected. Abdominal procedures can also be performed for vaginal vault prolapse.
Neither Janet nor Jo uses vaginal mesh in the surgical management of prolapse.
05
Colposcopy for abnormal smears
Both Janet and Jo can see you regarding abnormal smears and perform colposcopy in their rooms. Cervical treatments are currently performed as day case procedures with a short general anaesthetic but we hope to be able to offer LLETZ treatments under local anaesthetic in the near future.
06
Fertility and pre-pregnancy counselling
We can investigate delayed fertility or discuss issues prior to pregnancy that may need addressing and/or optimal management. We do not provide assisted fertility treatment such as ovulation induction or IVF. Please contact your GP or one of the private fertility clinics regarding this.
06
Fertility and pre-pregnancy counselling
We can investigate delayed fertility or discuss issues prior to pregnancy that may need addressing and/or optimal management. We do not provide assisted fertility treatment such as ovulation induction or IVF. Please contact your GP or one of the private fertility clinics regarding this.
07
Antenatal Consultations
Jo is very happy to provide secondary consultations for antenatal concerns. Your midwife may have reason to recommend referral for advice according to their guidelines. You may choose to do this privately or through the public system. At this time, Jo is not offering a service for private secondary obstetrician care for pregnancy and birth. If you have had consultations with Jo during pregnancy, this means that any need for acute obstetric services will be through the Christchurch Women’s Hospital public team. This may change in the future and if so, it will be updated on this website.
