I had an appointment with a gynaecology consultant at the Women's day Clinic in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to discuss my severe pelvic organ prolapse.
A couple of weeks prior to this appointment I had started to experience postmenopausal bleeding. When I reported this to my GP, they said that since I already had an appointment soon, they would contact my consultant and ask them to investigate the bleeding as part of my appointment.
However, when I mentioned it to my consultant at said appointment, I felt that they were very offhand about my concerns, saying that they weren't able to investigate the bleeding and we were there to just discuss my prolapse. They did say that they would request an urgent ultrasound scan to investigate the bleeding.
When the gynaecologist examined me, they offered to fit a pessary to give some support to my prolapse. Everything felt very rushed, and although I had come prepared with a list of questions regarding the proposed surgery, I was told that it wasn't the time for asking questions, and I would be able to do that at the next appointment, which would be prior to the surgery. I was very disappointed with the consultant's response and lack of understanding or empathy towards myself as the patient. I also feel that their solution was to just shove a pessary up there, and I would be ok.
Unfortunately, when I removed the (cube) pessary later on that day, it was extremely painful, and it seemed to exacerbate the bleeding. I did try using the pessary once more a few days later, but had the same problem, so I haven't attempted to try using it again.
I was very disappointed with the way the appointment transpired.
I have now been bleeding every day for almost 6 weeks, and still haven't received an appointment for the urgent ultrasound scan, which, according to both the NHS website and RCOG recommendations, is supposed to take place within 2 weeks of being referred for postmenopausal bleeding as this is a red flag for endometrial cancer.
"I was very disappointed with the way the appointment transpired"
About: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary / Gynaecology Services Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Gynaecology Services AB25 2ZN
Posted by leopardrn84 (as ),
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