Medical Gynaecology Services, Conditions and Procedures
Our medical gynaecology service includes comprehensive and individualised management of a full range of women’s health issues including menstrual disturbances, cysts, endometriosis, fibroids, menopause, pelvic floor issues, incontinence, sexual dysfunction, pain, infections with a variety of effective, safe and evidence-based interventions. We use modern technology, the latest research as well as great levels of care to help women make treatment choices suitable for their needs. We treat the following medical conditions with the range of treatments and procedures below:
Abnormal uterine bleeding, also known as dysfunctional uterine bleeding, is common for women of reproductive age. Menorrhagia or heavy menstrual bleeding is characterised by the increased amount of blood lost during a menstrual period. The normal menstrual period blood loss is around 80 to 120 millilitres, about five tablespoons. Excessive blood loss is, therefore, blood loss that requires a woman to change their pad every hour or less, as it gets soaked from the heavy flow.
Bleeding in between menstrual periods is abnormal uterine bleeding. If the amount of blood lost interferes with your lifestyle, it is abnormal and you should seek help. Read more about abnormal uterine bleeding here or book an appointment online.
Pap smear abnormalities arise when a pap smear test shows the presence of abnormal cells, they can be suggestive of pre-cancer or in some very rare cases, cancer of the cervix. Abnormal cells found on Pap smear or positive HPV (Human Papillomavirus) test require further assessment through a colposcopy which is the process of looking at the cervix with a big microscope. Some abnormal cells are more likely than others to be cancerous, but this can only be determined through an assessment. Read more about pap smear abnormalities here or book an appointment online.
Read more here about Bacterial vaginosis or book an appointment online.
Read more about Urinary Tract Infection here or book an appointment online.
Read an article written by Dr Novikova about Bartholins Cyst here or book an appointment online.
A colposcopy is an examination to look at the cervix (neck of the womb) and determine the presence of any pre-cancerous cell abnormalities.
Read more here about colposcopy or an abnormal pap smear or book an appointment online.
We are all different and there is no ‘one fits all’ in contraception. Dr Novikova will advise on the best form of contraception for you after a consultation.
You can read more about the various forms of Contraception available here or book an appointment online.
The Emsella Pelvic Floor Trainer Chair treatment is easy, safe and effective for the treatment of urinary incontinence and vaginal laxity in women. A single 28-minute session results in 11,200 pelvic floor muscle contractions which have the effect of performing the same number of Kegel exercises. Read more about the Emsella Chair here or book an appointment online.
Endometriosis is a condition when the tissue that is part of the lining of the womb grows outside of the womb in the tummy, on the ovaries, and in other areas. Endometriosis is usually diagnosed on laparoscopy (operation looking with the camera inside of the tummy) and treated with hormones or surgery.
Read more about Endometriosis Treatment here or book an appointment online.
Read more about the endometrial ablation procedure here or book an appointment online.
Fibroid and polyps are growths made up of muscle and fibrous tissue in the uterus which are usually not cancerous and often cause problems with bleeding, difficulties falling pregnant or recurrent miscarriages. Fibroids and polyps are diagnosed on examination, ultrasound and hysteroscopy. If they need to be treated they are usually removed surgically but there are non-surgical treatments too. Read more about Fibroids treatment here or book an appointment online.
A hysterectomy procedure is a surgical operation performed to remove the uterus (or womb). Hysterectomy is a very common surgery around the world and about one in five women will undergo a hysterectomy procedure by the age of 55. The number of hysterectomies is going down because of new treatments available to manage conditions that previously could only be cured with a hysterectomy. Read more about the hysterectomy procedure here or book an appointment online.
Read more about the Hysteroscopy here or book an appointment online.
Incontinence is the loss of bladder control and can involve leakage of urine, wind or faeces. It is a common and uncomfortable problem. As little as a cough or sneeze can trigger the need to urinate, causing embarrassment for those who suffer from it.
If you have a combination of types of incontinence a doctor will assess your situation and will suggest treatment options for you.
Read more about urinary incontinence here or when it starts affecting your way of living you may book an appointment with Dr Novikova for advice.
The Intrauterine Device (IUD), coil or loop is a form of contraception that has improved over the years.
Currently, in South Africa, we have the following types of IUDs:
– Non-hormonal Copper T and Pearls balls
– Hormonal IUDs (Kyleena)
Laparoscopy is a keyhole surgery that uses a thin, lighted tube put through a cut (incision) in the belly to look at the abdominal organs or the female pelvic organs. Laparoscopy is used to find problems such as cysts, adhesions, fibroids, and infection. Tissue samples can be taken for biopsy through the tube (laparoscope). Read more about laparoscopy here or book an appointment online.
An LLETZ biopsy is performed to remove pre-cancerous cells from the cervix, to prevent these cells from developing into cancer in the future. Usually, it is used for high-grade precancerous cells. Read more about LLETZ or LEEP here or book an appointment online.
Read more about Lichen Sclerosus or book an appointment online.
Menopause, also known as the climacteric, is a time in women’s life when their menstrual periods stop permanently. The average age of menopause is 51 years and the age of menopause varies between 45 and 58.
Transition to menopause can take anything from 1-2 to 5-7 years. During the early transition to menopause, the levels of oestrogen and progesterone often rise which causes breast tenderness, bloating, fluid retention, mood swings and sleep problems.
To find out more, please click here for more information on Menopause or book an appointment online.
Menstrual disorders include disorders with the cycle length such as irregular periods, infrequent periods or absent periods due to polycystic ovarian syndrome, very heavy exercise, stress, disorders with a flow such as very heavy periods due to fibroids, polyps; dysmenorrhoea or painful menstruation which can be due to endometriosis or infection.
To find out more, please click here for Menstrual disorders or book an appointment online.
Myomectomy is the surgical removal of fibroids from the uterus. It allows the uterus to be left in place and, for some women, makes pregnancy more likely than before. Myomectomy is the preferred fibroid treatment for women who want to become pregnant.
Read more about a myomectomy here, Myomectomy or book an appointment online.
Ovarian cysts are common, especially during reproductive ages. They are usually non-cancerous, diagnosed with the examination and ultrasound. Some of them disappear without any treatment and others need surgery.
To find out more, please click here on Ovarian cysts or book an appointment online.
The pain which occurs during penetration of the vagina or pain at the vaginal opening can be related to a condition called Vaginismus. Read more here on Vaginismus (pain on penetration), on painful sex or dyspareunia, on one treatment of Low Dose Vaginal Estrogen Therapy or book an appointment online.
Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition in which our pelvic organs such as the uterus, vagina, bowel or bladder start bulging or falling out of the vagina. The bladder pushes on the front wall of the vagina and the bowel pushes onto the back wall of the vagina. It is caused by the weakening of the muscles, ligaments, and fascia, which support the tissues that hold those organs in place and the correct positions. Read more on pelvic organ prolapse here or book an appointment online.
Pelvic pain is a pain that occurs in the lower abdominal area. Your discomfort may intensify after standing for long periods and can become so severe that you are unable to carry on with routine activities. Read more on pelvic pain here or book an appointment online.
Read more about polycystic ovarian syndrome here or book an appointment online.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) describes the physical and emotional symptoms that can occur in the two weeks before your period. These symptoms usually get better once your period starts and often disappear by the end of your period. Read more about PMS here..
Read here for Dr Novikova’s advice on STDs or book an appointment online.
Read more here for the treatment of thrush or candida or book an appointment online.
Find out more about Vaginal Dryness here or book an appointment online.
