Womens Health

We have a special interest in women’s Health.

We offer pre-conceptual counselling and bloods;  contraceptive advice including the fitting of long acting contraceptive methods , inlcuding the mirena coil and Implanon.

We do menopausal assessments, as Dr Sheehan has completed a British Menopause Training Course.

In addition, we are registered as smear takers under cervical check. A free cervical smear is available to all women from the age of 25 to 60. To avail of this, please Register with cervical check at cervicalcheck.ie

The best time to attend for your smear is midcycle that is 10 to 14 days after the first day of your period.

Understanding Menopause

Menopause is a completely natural stage of life. It marks the time when your periods stop and your body moves out of its reproductive years. You’re considered to have reached menopause when you haven’t had a period for 12 months in a row.

Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, but everyone’s timeline is different — and that’s completely normal.

The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause. This is when hormone levels begin to change and you may start to notice symptoms. After menopause, you enter postmenopause, when your body adjusts to its new hormone levels.

 

Why Does Menopause Happen?

As we get older, our ovaries gradually produce less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones control your menstrual cycle and influence many other systems in your body — including mood, sleep, skin, and bone health.

Menopause can also happen earlier due to:

  • Surgery to remove the ovaries

  • Certain medical treatments like chemotherapy

  • Early menopause (before age 40)

Common Symptoms of Menopause

Every woman’s experience is unique. Some notice only mild changes, while others find symptoms more disruptive. There’s no “right” or “wrong” way to experience menopause.

Here are some of the most common symptoms:

🌸 Changes to Your Periods

  • Irregular cycles

  • Heavier or lighter bleeding

  • Skipped periods

🔥 Hot Flushes & Night Sweats

  • Sudden waves of heat

  • Flushed skin

  • Sweating, especially at night

😴 Sleep Changes

  • Trouble falling asleep

  • Waking during the night

  • Feeling less rested

💛 Mood & Mental Changes

  • Irritability

  • Anxiety

  • Low mood

  • “Brain fog” or difficulty concentrating

🌿 Vaginal & Bladder Changes

  • Vaginal dryness

  • Discomfort during intimacy

  • Increased need to urinate

🌼 Physical Changes

  • Weight changes

  • Joint aches

  • Dry skin

  • Thinning hair

  • Gradual changes in bone strength

How Long Does It Last?

Perimenopause can last several years before your periods stop completely. Symptoms may continue for some time after menopause, but for many women, they gradually ease.

Remember — this phase doesn’t last forever, even if it sometimes feels like it might.

 

Support & Treatment Options

The good news? You don’t have to just “put up with it.”

There are many ways to manage symptoms, including:

  • Healthy lifestyle changes (balanced nutrition, regular movement, stress management)

  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

  • Non-hormonal medications

  • Vaginal treatments for dryness

  • Talking therapies for mood and sleep support

The right option depends on you — your health history, your symptoms, and what feels right for your body.

When Should You Speak to a Professional?

It’s a good idea to seek advice if:

  • Your symptoms are affecting your daily life

  • You have bleeding after menopause

  • Your periods become very heavy or prolonged

  • You experience menopause before age 40

A New Chapter

Menopause is not the end of vitality — it’s the beginning of a new stage of life. With the right information and support, it can be navigated with confidence, strength, and self-compassion.

If you’re experiencing symptoms or simply want guidance, support is available — and you deserve to feel well. For more information: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/menopause/

 

 

Cervical Screening

A free cervical smear is available to all women from the age of 25 to 60. To avail of this please register with cervical check at cervicalcheck.ie.  

Understanding Cervical Smear Tests (Cervical Screening)

A cervical smear test — also called cervical screening — is a simple health check that helps prevent cervical cancer.

It’s not a test for cancer. Instead, it looks for early changes in the cells of the cervix (the entrance to the womb) that could develop into cancer over time if left untreated. Detecting these changes early means they can be monitored or treated before they become serious.

Cervical screening is one of the most effective ways to protect your long-term health.

Why Is Cervical Screening Important?

Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by certain types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical screening checks for high-risk HPV first. If HPV is found, the sample is then checked for cell changes.

Finding changes early means they can be treated long before cancer develops.

Regular screening saves lives.

Who Should Have Cervical Screening?

In most countries, cervical screening is offered to women and people with a cervix between certain ages (often 25–64, depending on national guidelines).

You should still attend screening even if:

  • You’ve had the HPV vaccine

  • You’re not currently sexually active

  • You’ve had the same partner for many years

  • You feel completely well

Cervical cell changes rarely cause symptoms in the early stages — which is why screening is so important.

How Often Is It Done?

This depends on your age  but typically every 3–5 years.

What Do the Results Mean?

Most results come back normal.

If HPV is not found, you’ll simply be invited again at your next routine interval.

If HPV is detected, it does not mean you have cancer. It simply means you may need closer monitoring to check for any cell changes. Many HPV infections clear naturally on their own.

If abnormal cells are found, further tests or treatment may be recommended — often before anything serious develops.

 

Cervical screening is a simple step that plays a powerful role in protecting your health. 

If you’ve been invited for screening, try to book your appointment — your future self will thank you.

 

Breast check

Looking after your breast health is an important part of caring for yourself.

Breast checks include two main things:

  • Being breast aware (knowing what’s normal for you)

  • Attending routine breast screening (BreastCheck) when invited

Both play an important role in detecting changes early.

🌸 Being Breast Aware

Being breast aware simply means knowing how your breasts normally look and feel, so you’re more likely to notice if something changes.

There’s no special technique or set way to check — it’s about becoming familiar with your own body.

You should contact your GP if you notice:

  • A new lump or thickening

  • Changes in size or shape

  • Skin dimpling or puckering

  • Redness or rash on the breast

  • Nipple discharge (especially if bloody)

  • A nipple turning inward (if new for you)

  • Persistent pain in one area

Most breast changes are not cancer — but it’s always best to have anything unusual checked.

💗 What Is BreastCheck?

BreastCheck is Ireland’s national breast screening programme.

It provides free breast screening (mammograms) to women aged 50 to 69 who are invited every two years.

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast that can detect small changes before they can be felt.

Screening helps find breast cancer early — often before symptoms appear — when treatment is most effective.

 

Who Is Eligible in Ireland?

  • Women aged 50–69 are automatically invited every 2 years

  • If you are within this age range and have not received an invitation, you can contact BreastCheck to register

  • Women outside this age group should see their GP if they have any concerns

If you have symptoms (like a lump), you should see your GP rather than wait for screening.

Why Regular Screening Matters

Breast screening does not prevent breast cancer, but it can detect it early — often before it causes symptoms.

Early detection:

  • Increases treatment options

  • Improves outcomes

  • Can reduce the need for more invasive treatment

Many women who attend screening receive normal results, which can provide reassurance and peace of mind.