Suspect endometriosis, or already living with it?
At Phoenix Women’s Health in Watford, you can see a consultant gynaecologist to investigate pelvic pain, discuss your diagnosis and plan treatment. You can come to us with previous results, or start with a first assessment.
Your doctor can assess your symptoms, perform a pelvic ultrasound where appropriate, explain the findings and discuss treatment options with you. If you need further imaging or hospital-based care, we will explain why and help you understand the next step.
What can we do for you?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow elsewhere in the body, most often in the pelvis. It can cause painful periods, ongoing pelvic pain, pain during sex and, for some women, difficulties becoming pregnant.
These symptoms can have other causes too.
At Phoenix Women’s Health, your consultant will listen to what you have been experiencing, review your medical history and start with the right examination or investigations including ultrasound scan in most cases.
Could endometriosis be behind your symptoms?
You may have been told that painful periods are something you have to put up with. If the pain is affecting your life, or you keep wondering whether something else is going on, we can help you investigate it.
An appointment may be helpful if you have:
- Period pain that stops you doing your usual activities
- Pelvic pain at other times of the month
- Pain during or after sex
- Bowel or bladder symptoms that become worse around your period
- Difficulty conceiving alongside painful periods or pelvic pain
- An existing endometriosis diagnosis and questions about your treatment
- Previous tests that seemed normal, but symptoms that have continued
You do not need to work out for yourself whether it is endometriosis before contacting us. Your consultant will consider your symptoms as a whole, carry out your pelvic ultrasound during the appointment and talk with you about what to do next.
How can endometriosis be treated?
There is no single treatment that suits every woman with endometriosis. What helps depends on where your pain occurs, how much it affects your life, what you have already tried and whether you want to become pregnant. You and your consultant will talk through the options together. Treatment aims to ease symptoms and help you live more comfortably; although there is currently no cure.
Pain relief
If painful periods or pelvic pain are disrupting your day, your consultant may suggest medication to help manage it. They will consider what you have already taken, whether it helped, and whether it is suitable for you. Pain relief can be useful, but if you are still struggling, we will discuss what else may help rather than simply asking you to keep taking it.
Hormonal treatment
If you are not trying to become pregnant, hormonal treatment may help reduce endometriosis pain. Options can include the combined pill or a progestogen. Your consultant will explain how the options work, discuss your medical history and help you decide whether one is right for you. If blood tests are relevant to your symptoms or another concern, the doctor can arrange them; a blood test cannot confirm or rule out endometriosis. Hormonal treatment can control symptoms, although pain may return if treatment stops.
If you are hoping for a baby
Please tell us early in the appointment. It changes which treatments are appropriate. Hormonal treatment used to relieve endometriosis symptoms does not improve your chances of becoming pregnant while you are trying. Your consultant can assess your fertility concerns, discuss the findings with you and recommend further treatment or specialist care where needed.
When further specialist treatment is needed
For some women, medication does not provide enough relief, or the symptoms and findings suggest that further investigation is needed. Your consultant will explain whether a specialist assessment for surgery, such as laparoscopy, should be considered and help you understand the next step.
At Phoenix, the important part is that you can discuss your symptoms, have your consultant-led pelvic ultrasound at the same appointment, have your blood tested if needed and leave with an explanation and a plan suited to you.
Questions you may have about endometriosis
Complications of Endometriosis
Will endometriosis affect my chances of having a baby?
It can make getting pregnant more difficult for some women, but having endometriosis does not mean you cannot have a baby. Many women conceive naturally. If you are trying now, or hoping to in the future, please tell your consultant. We can take that into account from the start when discussing your symptoms, assessment and treatment. Some medicines used to control endometriosis pain are unsuitable while you are trying to conceive, so your plans matter.
If you have already been trying without success, we can discuss fertility assessment and what help may be appropriate for you. We will explain which care we can provide at Phoenix and when a referral for further specialist treatment would be helpful.
Does endometriosis mean I could have cancer?
Endometriosis is not cancer.
Research has found an association with a higher risk of some types of ovarian cancer, but that does not mean you are likely to develop it.
If you have a persistent or changing symptom that worries you, tell your consultant so it can be assessed on its own merits rather than assumed to be part of endometriosis.
Your Consultation, Scan, Blood Tests and Clinical Plan in One Visit
How the appointment works:
- You discuss your symptoms and medical history with the consultant.
- A respectful clinical examination may be offered where appropriate.
- The consultant performs the ultrasound if clinically indicated.
- The findings are explained to you during the appointment.
- You discuss treatment, further tests, monitoring or referral.
- When the examinations and findings are complete, medication or another suitable treatment may begin without delay.
The Price:
Consultation with Gynaecology Ultrasound: £200
No GP referral required.
Booking Your Appointment:
You can book a private gynaecology ultrasound scan without a GP referral. Our team will help you choose an appropriate appointment and answer any questions before your visit.
Your Consultation with Us:
During your appointment you will have plenty of time to discuss your concerns fully, with clear explanations, respectful examination where appropriate, and shared decision-making throughout.
Investigations & Follow-Up:
With all the pelvic ultrasound scans carried out by the consultants, the results, treatment planning and next steps are explained clearly, during your appointment.
Importantly, all consultations are strictly confidential and conducted in a calm, private clinical setting.
If you are unsure whether a private consultation is right for you, our team will be happy to advise.
An internal scan is only performed when clinically appropriate and with your informed consent. The procedure will be explained beforehand, and you can decline or ask for it to stop at any time.