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Consideration is given to women's health under the following:

• Contraception
• Cervical Screening
• Breast Care
• Ante natal Care
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Infertility
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Menopause
• General Health
• Domestic Violence
• Websites

Contraception:

The Clinic provides a full contraceptive service for the large number of young women living and working in the area. Appointments can be made for routine doctors' surgeries. The combined contraceptive pill is still the most popular choice. Advice on the full range of other options is available. The Mirena Coil and the Implanon implant can be fitted by making a specific appointment. Emergency contraception, formerly called “the morning after pill”, is prescribed.
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Cervical Screening:

Smear tests, for the detection of changes that indicate a woman may be at risk of cancer of the cervix (neck of womb), are available daily. The practice nurse generally carries these out.

The Belgrave Clinic is registered with the National Cervical Screening Programme CervicalCheck. This National Cervical Screening programme provides free smear tests to eligible women between the ages of 25 - 60 yrs (women aged 25-44 yrs will be screened at three yearly intervals and women aged 45-60 will be recalled every five years for smear tests) .

You can have your first smear taken with this programme regardless of when you had your last smear taken. Participation in this programme CervicalCheck does not prevent you from having a smear test more frequently if you desire but there will be a charge.

Appointments can be made with the nurse by ringing reception. Your PPS number will be required.  You must receive a letter of invitation from CervicalCheck before making a cervical smear appointment.  This can be done by logging on to www.cervicalcheck.ie or by ringing 1800 454 555

Breast Care:

Cancer of the breast is a major cause of concern to all women and any woman who develops a breast lump in particular. A woman finding a breast lump will be seen on that day at the doctor's surgery. Advice will be given on the nature of the lump and an appropriate management option will be taken with the patient to alleviate her concerns. This may include referral to any one of the three excellent rapid access breast clinics at local hospitals or to one of the specialists in this field working privately. The practice nurse advises on routine breast examinations. Routine mammograms can be organised at local clinics. The “Breast Check” programme for women between 50 and 65 years of age inform us of our patients screening results.
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Ante Natal Care:

Pregnancy tests are carried out on request. We invite every patient who is pregnant to receive care, advice and management at the Clinic under the Combined Ante-natal Care Programme.
This is a free service to the patient for 7 visits before and 2 visits after birth of her baby on registering with the Scheme. It is available to all pregnant women and is not means related. It is carried out in association with the hospital or private consultant of choice of the patient. The patient is free to attend the service of convenience or choice at any time during the pregnancy with no restriction having registered on the Combined Care Scheme.

We will advise patients of the range of antenatal care options available at the Coombe, Rotunda, Mount Carmel and Holles Street Hospitals. We recommend the innovative Domino service provided by Holles Street for those living in the South Dublin catchment area.
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Unplanned Pregnancy:

Patients who are distressed at the news of having an unplanned pregnancy will be received with respect and will be supported throughout their pregnancy and after. There are a large number of groups and counsellors close to us in Ranelagh/Rathmines that we can call on to further support patients with a crisis pregnancy; Positive Options. In particular, we will guide and care for any woman who has to deal with her antenatal care and birth with little personal support.
Under the “ Regulation of Information Act 1995”and in association with ICGP guidelines, we will refer any woman who has opted for abortion after non directive counselling, to an agency who has experience in dealing with this. We will invite them return to us for follow up on return to Ireland.
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Infertility:

Doctors at the Clinic will help women who have difficulty in conceiving to find the appropriate advice and investigations with regard to their infertility problem. View more information at Womens Clinic. We can organise routine blood tests. We will work in support of the various treatment programmes in Dublin and nationally by administering treatment and giving advice. Irish Information.
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome:

This is a common condition in women leading to reduced menstruation, very often associated with a bad acne condition or excessive body hair. It can lead to infertility problems later in life. It is a concern to young women and its diagnosis and management is an important feature of our health service to this group of women.
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Menopause:

The menopause can be associated with distressing physical and psychological symptoms. Blood tests can tell us the stage a woman is at in relation to the menopause and there are a number of treatment options available that we can prescribe. We can also refer to appropriate gynaecologists and other investigation centres.
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General Health:

The normal physiological and psychological changes that take place in a woman's life can present different challenges. The stages of life present threats from different diseases and conditions also. Minor illness affects all ages and should be managed promptly. Sexually transmitted diseases are a risk to younger women. The complications of heart disease, hypertension and smoking, are a threat to middle aged and older women, as are cancer and chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis and bronchitis. Osteoporosis prevention and management, and social problems brought on by old age and death of a spouse, are features in the older population. Our general practice service deals with all of these issues and aims to help women take steps that lead to a healthier life.
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Domestic Violence:

The doctors at the Clinic are aware of the significant and very often hidden problem of domestic violence. Women who have been abused in such a fashion can expect to be received in an understanding environment where they will be supported in efforts to resolve their problems. Appropriate agencies that have expertise in this area will be contacted if required. Womens Aid
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Websites:

Pregnancy Information Advice
Endometriosis Information
Well Woman Centre

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