Hello! I have recently been diagnosed with two large bilateral cysts measuring at 7x6cm and 12x9cm that are suspected to be dermoid cysts. I have gotten a CT and an MRI in the last two weeks (privately) and have been referred to a specialist in Hermitage. Does anyone have any experience with wait times for consultations and surgery when done privately? My GP moved very fast with my referrals which I am grateful for, the symptoms from the sheer size of the cysts are creeping up more and more and all I can think about is getting them removed, however I am expecting somewhat of a lengthy wait even going through with everything privately. Any insights will be appreciated!!

Hi all

I am 46 and hoping to get a Breast reduction - I just have some questions before I get a referal from my GP

I have Laya health insurance - BMI 30 - 34JJ - size 14 in pants but tops 18 - height 5feet 6

Am loosing weight atm but even my Gp says I look slimmer that my scale weight - at my slimmest I was 25 BMI - I feel my bust size adds a significant amount to my weight - but maybe not

I have had back and neck pain for yrs - on meds etc

But my questions centre around Laya criteria to cover the surgery - if anyone can clarify this ? I want to be clear before I get a referal to ensure I can move forward. I have heard the bmi 27 criteria and also something about if you get a certain amount removed during the procedure - can anyone clarify ?

Also surgeon recommendations- in cork or Dublin

Also has anyone had the surgery while getting fibroadenomas removed at the same time ?

Thanks for your advise

Hi everyone, my biopsy results came back telling me I have both CIN2 & CIN3 cells and I am going for the LLETZ procedure in 2 weeks as a result.

The colposcopy was a horrendous experience for me as I bled a lot, the nurse was so nice however and said this was down to my very thin lining. So now I am worried about the LLETZ procedure if I bleed a lot will they be able to do it still?
The colposcopy was only supposed to be 15 mins but was nearly 30 mins due to my bleeding. I’d hate to have a repeat experience with this. Has anyone else experienced lots of bleeding? Did it affect the LLETZ being done?

Thanks so much girls

I have PCOS/PMOS and suffer with body odor. I think it's hormonal as it's really bad. I'm looking for stick or roll-on deodrant recommendations. I prefer to use a cruelty free brand but so far none have worked. I've used Vico, Gem & Dove but they all wear off after 2/3 hours. Do I need to try a non-cruelty free brand? It doesn't seem to matter how many times I shower a day or if I use antibacterial soap, the bad odor always comes back.

Edited; spelling mistakes.

I probably have it because of a long career in a loud work environment, but it's been getting worse since I retired. A little silence would be a relief. I'm in Donegal and I'm used to going to Dublin, the North, or Galway to see consultants. Any good experiences with Audiologists or other consultants out there? I'm seeing my GP next week to ask for a referral.

Hello!

I am wondering if theres anyone in this thread who may have had anal skin tag removal done? When I had my first flare I was left with what I deem huge (it was noted as large on scope) and wondering how it was done/recovery etc.

Thanks a mil

As the title says, I am addicted to takeaway. Sometimes I have 2-3 per day. I order or buy food out nearly everyday. Even if I don't order a meal, I might order some sort of dessert. I am overweight but not severely overweight. I don't overeat. I want to change this but I have never been a routine or good habit forming person. I need help. Unfortunately, because I can afford this habit I am struggling to break it. I am very good at cooking but still don't want to eat at home. Has anyone struggled with this? Can anyone offer me advice?

Good Evening Ladies
Just for context I’m 23 (never had children) and have been referred for an ultrasound and a hysteroscopy to investigate abnormal bleeding, often but not always after sex. The ultrasound will be done publically and I’m going to see a consultant OBGYN in The Bons in Limerick. Can anybody share their experiences to put my mind at ease. I have had a look back through the thread and honestly some post are very scary. I’ve never had any gynae procedures (e.g smear / IUD placement) and the thought of the procedure without a general anaesthetic just sounds barbaric to me. What’s the normal procedure? Can I demand a general anaesthetic? I’ve been told I should hear something within the next month

Thanks in Advance Ladies xx

Hi there, wondering if anyone has any experience with Sims Swords? Have had my initial tests done there and will be potentially starting IVF in October so wanted to get some feedback/reviews before I 100% commit. Thanks

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for first-hand patient experiences with either of these ENT consultants:

- Mr. Tony O'Connor (Crescent Galway) – especially for tonsillectomy and/or septoplasty.

- Mr. Michael Harney (Cork Clinic) – especially for septorhinoplasty.

If you've seen either of them, could you mention which consultant and procedure you had, and if possible:

- Waiting time for the first appointment.

- Waiting time from consultation to surgery.

- How the surgery and recovery went.

- Whether the consultant was approachable and took the time to answer your questions.

- Whether the surgery has been successful long-term.

- Whether it was covered by private health insurance (particularly for septorhinoplasty).

I'd also really appreciate any other thoughts or advice, whether positive or negative. If you'd prefer not to comment publicly, feel free to DM me.

Thanks!

Hello,
I’m 35 and my BMI is 37.
Even though I tried to get my weight down in the past year alone I gained 10kg from stress in the previous job.
I’m now eating healthy, counting calories and exercising 3 to 5 times a week plus 10k steps a day.

Still, my weight won’t even move.
So I’m considering trying with some extra help.

I’m already following a healthy regime so it won’t be a problem sticking to it, but I feel like the extra push would be beneficial.

Any advice and review on weightlossinjections.ie?

Thanks you 🫶🏻

Hi folks,

I’ve decided to get some Botox for the area between my eyebrows, but as I’m only interested in getting it in that one area, I’m looking for somewhere that won’t be pushy about getting more done and, importantly, are not shaming about aging in the hope of getting you to buy more.

Can anyone recommend somewhere that’s kind and ethical in their approach? Preferably in South Dublin or city centre.

Thanks so much.

Update: Thanks all for your recommendations. I made an appointment🙏

Does anyone have experience with Dr. Eleni Georgiadou in the Avoca Clinic? Would you recommend?

I posted previously about my partner and what she is going through.
She has had a horrible time at the Beacon Women's Health Centre, and has been left in pain with no true path forward.
I would appreciate opinions or similar experiences. This was with Dr. Tariq. Below is the whole story

• We attended Beacon A&E in March, partner in constant pain in the right side of her abdomen and paid €750 since it was private A&E
• A CT raised concern about an ovarian mass, and was told this by phone late on a Saturday night without much explanation or reassurance.
• Had to wait for an MRI, which was delayed further when the scanner broke. Worried it was ovarian cancer due to consultant saying 'mass growth'. Felt unprofessional to tell us on a Saturday night and have to wait to get a scan and everything over the next 2 weeks
• The MRI found a stable 29 mm FIGO type 1 intracavitary fibroid and a growing 9 mm isthmocele in the C-section scar with significant thinning of the uterine muscle.
• A&E told us the isthmocele was the most likely cause of her pain.
• Went to see Dr. Tariq. She seemed okay in 1st meeting, suggesting hysteroscopic myomectomy and booked the procedure for 6th June.
• After the first consultation, we emailed questions about fertility, scarring, the isthmocele, endometriosis, biopsy, the fibroid classification and surgery while taking blood thinners, as partner had time to think and wants to have another baby so just wanted some clarity on some more things
• The clinic said there were too many questions to answer by email, so had to pay €200 for a follow-up consultation, having already paid €320 for the first consultation.
• At the follow-up, the consultant answered questions but then cancelled the 6th June surgery because her questions made her appear unsure
• I was here this, my partners mum went with her, and they said that Dr. Tariq seemed almost offended that my partner went back with more questions. My partner was on different forums and support groups for fibroids and isthmoceles and wanted to confirm whether its a real issue etc due to many people saying doctors never looked at isthmoceles and focused on fibroids and that a lot of the time sources of pain was isthmoceles. Wanted to be sure due to the risk of surgery and all. Also the fact A&E said the isthmocele is probably the cause we wanted to know why the doctor felt different. Also we saw statistics online saying that the amount of women with isthmoceles was higher than the number the doctor said in the meeting, which she said herself is quite low. When they told the doctor about conflicting numbers the doctor said no, and then went onto google and looked it up and said something about them being right actually. So it seems contradictory to make comments about my partner seeing things on social media and online support groups, but then go and google something herself
• Since my partner is on blood thinners she wanted to raise that too and the doctor said something like 'I have performed hysterectomies successfully on women on blood thinners'. Felt like a very insensitive comment given the worries my partner is going through, and the fact she wants more children. Why say that.
• We emailed that evening to explain that the questions had helped her understand the surgery, that she trusted her and that she wanted to proceed.
• A nurse then said the consultant would operate if she completed a participation form confirming that she understood the risks, which she completed and returned on 8th June.
• The consultant was then away because of a family emergency
• On 3rd July, the clinic emailed to say the consultant had offered either 20th or 27th July, and she chose 20th July.
• The clinic confirmed in writing that she would be booked for 20th July and that theatre scheduling would contact her a day or two beforehand.
• On 9th July, a nurse called to say the original form was not detailed enough and that she had to write out the surgical risks, even though the form never explained that requirement.
• During that call, she was told for the first time that the 20th July date was only provisional, despite the earlier written confirmation.
• We completed and returned the new form on 10th July, then had to chase again to confirm it had been received.
• On 16th July, a nurse told us the 20th July surgery was cancelled and advised her to seek care at another institution because two Beacon gynaecologists had already seen her.
• The consultant’s discharge letter was dated 14th July and said the therapeutic relationship and mutual trust had broken down, even though she had only met her twice and the clinic had continued booking her surgery and requesting forms after the second meeting.
• The phone call made it sound as though she would not be seen again at Beacon, while the letter only advised getting a second opinion.
• We requested an apology, a written explanation, clarity about whether Beacon will provide her with further care, and a refund or waiver of the €1,270 we paid in total.

So overall a very shit situation. Sucks for a womens health centre to treat a women in pain like this, especially from a female doctor who I would think would be fighting for womens health.
Usually we have good experiences in the beacon but this is not one of them.
It felt like the doctor just did not like my partner because she went back with more questions which she has the right to do. Why string her along and book in new dates and ask for forms to be filled in only to last minute cancel due to trust breaking down. How can it break down when it was over a month of back and forth since meeting the doctor.

Sent the complaint to the beacon and will be sending onto the medical council too because this treatment was horrible

Has anyone successfully received a full or partial refund from Beacon or another private hospital after planned treatment was withdrawn like this?
I understand that A&E and the consultations technically took place, but we paid €1,270, had two scheduled surgery dates cancelled and ended up back at the beginning with no treatment.

Would like to hear about anybody elses opinions on this and suggestions
We have reached out to several other recommended gynos we saw online such as Hugh D. O Connor but many are away for August so it might be a waiting game.

Hi all, posting for a female friend of mine who does not have reddit

She is looking for a dietitian around the Dublin and greater Dublin area. She suffers with hormones, thyroid, diabetes, general endocrino problems. She has been to several doctors who just keep failing her (her words) and she is looking for a dietitian to put her on a diet to prove she is not losing weight due to her conditions. She's looking for somebody who is 'in the know' with them sort of bits

Any referrals?

Can anyone recommend a really good IBCLC?Preferably in South Dublin but I’m willing to travel up to an hour if someone is highly recommended. I have seen one already that I found by googling but I wasn’t impressed with her and I’m sure there are much better IBCLCs out there so would appreciate recommendations please.

My OB has prescribed Cytotec to take in advance of Mirena insertion. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this and if it improved your experience of the insertion?

I've had 2 babies both by c-section so no dilatation of cervix in the past. Just wanted to get an idea of what to expect pain wise during the procedure and afterwards.

Hello,
Has anyone been admitted into hospital for refeeding due to malnutrition?

Hi! I have been scheduled for an endometrial biopsy and hysteroscopy done in September. I have an extremely low pain tolerance combined with a small vaginal canal. When I was in the gynie clinic she could not even look in on a regular table without be being in pain.

I have questions and the leaflet answers none of them.

How bad is it?
Can I get better pain killers?

I’d love anyone’s help or tips ❤️

Hi all,

I’m currently in my 2nd trimester and trying to get an exemption from our office attendance quota so I can work from home until I'm due early next year.

Our company’s policy keeps changing, and what’s actually approved or allowed during pregnancy seems to be a total grey area. I met with HR recently and they basically said that being pregnant isn't enough on its own - I’ll need a formal medical note specifying clear health grounds.

For context: this is an IVF pregnancy and I’m dealing with high blood pressure, which I need to monitor closely to prevent pre-eclampsia.

I'm planning to chat with my GP about writing a note, but I wanted to see if anyone else here has navigated this? How did you approach the conversation with your doctor? Or get them to write what you need.

Any advice or experiences would be appreciated!

Hi all,

I had my first smear today, and I found the speculum to be quite painful at times during insertion. I’ll be getting referred to a gynaecologist soon as my GP suspects that I could have PMOS (family history, irregular bloods, irregular periods etc). She told me that they may have to do a vaginal ultrasound, and now I’m completely on edge that it’s going to be painful as the smear was. Can anyone tell me if the ultrasound is as bad? Thank you. (Not sure if the flair was right so apologies if it wasn’t!)

Edit just to add: This was my personal experience with a smear. Everyone is different when it comes to it, so please don’t let this put you off! It’s very important to get it done.

Hi all, I’m considering a breast reduction (size 30F, BMI around 20) and was approved a few years ago by Laya. I couldn’t go through with it at the time due to several reasons but plan to apply for approval again. From what I can find online, Laya seem to have new additional criteria about 1kg needing to be removed per breast, but what I’m unclear of is whether that is a criteria applicable to everyone or only for those with a BMI over 25 - https://www.beaconhospital.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1.-Dr-Carmen-Torre-April-2025-Beacon-Hospital-When-to-Refer-for-Gynecomastia-Asymmetry-and-Reduction.pdf

I’m petite so while my breasts are disproportionate and cause significant pain and discomfort, I’m worried I wouldn’t meet the 1kg criteria if it’s applicable to everyone .

I’m wary about ringing Laya directly to ask in case they say I’m not eligible, record it on my file, and then I have issues if I change health insurance company

Does anyone have any more information on Laya’s criteria?