Women are being urged not to suffer in silence and take advantage of shorter waiting list for gynaecology services at Bendigo Health’s Women Health Clinics.
Clinicians say since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of women seeking help for gynaecological conditions including with heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, prolapse and incontinence has declined.
"There's been a lot of negativity about access to elective surgery and long wait lists in public hospitals in the post-pandemic time and that may have put people off attending who have symptoms that are troublesome but not life-shortening," Women’s and Children’s clinical director Nicola Yuen said.
“We’re seeing about 45 (women) a week at the moment so we do have the capacity to see many more.”
The clinic has the capacity to see 60-70 women a week, so Dr Yuen encouraged people to get a referral from their general practitioner.
"Don't wait. We are seeing women who have been delaying care for months and even years," she said.
"We have 15 gynaecologists working at Bendigo Health now so we're here and we can help."
Bendigo Health Women’s Health Centre is a specialist facility serving all of the Loddon Mallee region for gynaecology problems.
Gynaecology issues include problems such as period (menstrual) pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding after menopause, endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic pain, infertility, or pelvic floor problems causing incontinence or prolapse and the insertion and removal of long-acting forms of contraception.
The Women's Clinics holds gynaecology clinics including the Gyneacology Clinic, Coloscopy Clinic, Family Planning Clinic, Choices Clinic, Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS) and Cervical Screening Service.
For more information, visit: Bendigo Health Website - Women's and Children's Services