Menstruation
Our women's healthcare team has an exceptional track record in the relief of menstrual symptoms. We have a firm foundation of medical expertise to ensure you receive thorough investigation and diagnosis, and a high level of skill in deducing the right treatment for each woman - which may be medical, lifestyle or complementary, or a combination. Our team of doctors includes skilled surgeons, should surgery be necessary. You also have access to some of London's best emotional counsellors and coaches.
You begin by meeting your gynaecologist to discuss your history and to be examined. The most common problems women report are period pain, heavy bleeding, irregular bleeding and absence of bleeding, and PMS. Most symptoms can be relieved.
Ultrasound scanning is the main test and it usually provides an accurate diagnosis . CDS sonographers are world leaders in advanced 3D and 4D pelvic scanning. Further MRI scan imaging is very rarely recommended.
Occasionally hysteroscopy, a surgical technique using a tiny camera, is needed to directly visualise the internal cavity of the uterus. Many abnormalities can be corrected using hysteroscopy.
Blood tests may be useful to check your hormones and blood count for anaemia. A blood profile also checks kidney and liver function, cholesterol, calcium and sugar levels.
Medical treatment may include pain relief, hormones (including the pill) and the Mirena IUS. Surgery is occasionally beneficial. We use minimally invasive techniques wherever possible to correct a problem. This usually allows us to avoid major operations such as hysterectomy (see our newsletter, january 2009). We offer complementary therapy to aid recovery.
When tests have ruled out an underlying physical issue we offer a variety of complementary and lifestyle approaches to help your symptoms, often in conjunction with medical or surgical treatment. The team at Viveka has an international reputation for regulating menstruation and reducing PMS and pain. Your gynaecologist will recommend the most appropriate therapy for you.
A minimalist approach through lifestyle changes often helps. For instance, exercise and relaxation, perhaps with guidance from our life or fitness coach. You may want to aim for a better 'work-life balance', increase quiet time or look at new ways to cope under pressure.
Complementary therapy often plays an important part in treatment. Acupuncture, osteopathy and homeopathy can correct menstrual disturbances, PMS or pain. They are often used in conjunction with medical or surgical treatment.
Meeting a nutritionist to optimise your eating patterns can be amazingly beneficial. Balancing your sugar highs and lows reduces stress hormones and also impacts on your ovarian hormones.
Viveka's EMO (emotional support) team frequently plays a central role in helping women meet current challenges and feel good from the inside out. The team includes a highly experienced personal and family therapist; a hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner; a psychotherapist and a life coach. Your menstrual pattern may reflect anxiety and tension in your life and relationships. Emotional support helps many women and families to express and enjoy their personal talents, and often this helps to reduce menstrual symptoms and increase feelings of power and ease. Many women who undergo medical or surgical treatment value additional emotional help.
Did you know?
PMS is sometimes mistakenly treated as if it were depression. A study by the National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome reveals that women are commonly offered anti-depressants by GPs when the real problem is menstrual-cycle triggered mood swings. Sharing a menstrual, mood and symptom diary with your gynaecologist or complementary therpaist can assist successful treatment. (see our newsletter , february 2009)
