You are eating pretty much as you always did. You are keeping busy. And yet the scales are creeping up, especially around your middle. If this sounds familiar, you are not imagining it, and you are not alone. 50% or more of women gain weight during perimenopause and menopause. Research from the SWAN study and the Healthy Women’s Study found that women gain about 1.5 kg each year during the transition to perimenopause. By the time a woman reaches menopause, she has usually gai

If you’ve ever had an ultrasound scan appointment letter telling you to “attend with a full bladder,” you may have wondered: What is a full bladder? And does it work with all scan types? It depends on the type of ultrasound you are getting. The amount of water for ultrasound preparation is not one-size-fits-all, and getting it wrong can mean a repeat appointment or unclear images. Here’s a brief overview of what you need to know before your scan: Why Water Matters Before a Sc

There is nothing easier than a warm cup of tea during the day. For many women, it is also becoming part of a more considered approach to reproductive well-being. That doesn’t mean tea is medicinal. That means that some herbs have real, studied effects on hormone levels, menstrual pain, inflammation, and nutrient status, and understanding those effects will help you make better choices. This guide covers the 7 best teas for women’s reproductive health, what the research actual

Most people don’t realize what their diet does for their reproductive health. The foods you eat daily can have a direct impact on everything from how regularly you get your periods to the quality of your eggs, hormone balance, and how easily you can conceive. Here’s the good news. You don’t have to do all the things at once. Start by finding out which nutrients are most important and what foods actually provide them. At myGynaePlus, our consultants often talk to patients abou

Cloves are one of those spices that have sat in kitchen cupboards for centuries, largely revered for their warm, pungent aroma and their ability to flavor everything from mulled wine to biryanis. But at the same time, the cloves have been used for their therapeutic properties for ages in the traditional medicine systems of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. But modern research is now beginning to catch up. Studies are linking the bioactive compounds in cloves, especially euge

Feeling feverish, shivery, and sore on one side of your back during pregnancy is not something to put down to normal aches. These are classic kidney infection symptoms in pregnancy and they need medical attention the same day. A kidney infection, known medically as pyelonephritis, is one of the most common reasons pregnant women are admitted to hospital outside of obstetric emergencies. It affects around 1–2% of pregnant women and carries real risks for both mother and baby.

That stinging sensation when you wee is one of those pregnancy symptoms nobody warns you about. One moment you are rushing to the bathroom for the tenth time today, and the next you are wincing in pain mid-stream. If you are dealing with burning urine during pregnancy, you are not alone and there are several possible causes worth knowing about. Here is a clear breakdown of what is going on, what to do about it, and when to get medical help. How Common Is Burning Urine During

Jasmine essential oil is one of the most beloved aromatherapy oils in the world. Its rich, floral scent is associated with calm, warmth, and relaxation, and many women instinctively reach for it during pregnancy to ease anxiety or simply to feel more comfortable. But is it safe to use jasmine essential oil while pregnant? The honest answer is: it depends on when in your pregnancy you are, how you use it, and whether you have professional guidance. This article sets out exactl

You notice a little blood when you wipe. Your mind immediately goes in two directions: could this be an early sign of pregnancy, or is something wrong with your bladder? It is a genuinely confusing situation, and you are not alone in asking this question. Both implantation bleeding and bleeding caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) can produce light, unexpected spotting or a pinkish-red colour in the toilet bowl or on toilet tissue. But the two have very different causes,

Are you pregnant and googling if kidney infection during pregnancy is serious? Girl, you are NOT ALONE. This has been one of the most common searches among females when it comes to google health questions lately and I totally understand why. Having a kidney infection when you’re pregnant can be serious business. It’s NOT something you should ignore during pregnancy. Left untreated it can cause severe complications which is why KNOWING the facts (not just googling worst case s

Caesarean sections occur in roughly 1 in 3 births in the UK. Figures released by the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit showed that there were 38.9% of births by caesarean section in England, Scotland and Wales in 2023. This figure is up from 25% in 2015–16, examining close to 600,000 births in total. It’s a huge jump and begs the question that pregnant women are asking every day, when is a caesarean section necessary, and what makes it the best option for you and your ba

You keep running to the bathroom. You're exhausted. Everything just feels wrong. Now you're wondering... do I have a urine infection? Or am I pregnant? It's one of the most common pregnancy mix ups. And rightfully so. UTIs and early pregnancy have many symptoms that are eerily similar. Frequent urination, fatigue, abdominal cramping/lower belly pain are some of the telltale signs for both. You honestly can't tell the difference without a test. Well we put together this handy

You’ve just received those two pink lines. Or the words “Pregnant” leaping out at you from the test. Your first instinct is probably to ring up and book a scan ASAP so you can see what’s happening in there. That’s totally understandable. But did you know that the timing of an early pregnancy scan matters more than you realise and having one too early can lead to unnecessary stress? We explain everything you need to know about early pregnancy scans in London , from 3-6 weeks,

One of the most pervasive myths about women’s health. You leave your smear test appointment congratulating yourself on having “had your STI check up”. When in reality, you did not get checked for STIs at all. Understanding the difference could be important for your health. A Pap smear (cervical screening) and an STI test are not the same thing. Sure they can be done on the same day, in the same clinic room, by the same doctor and even use a similar-looking tool. But they do n

Navigating women’s health can be overwhelming. Sometimes it’s difficult to remember which screenings you need and what they’re actually testing for. Pap smears and STD tests are often confused, but they are two very different procedures and will detect entirely different things. Here’s what you need to know before your next appointment. What Is a Pap Smear? A Pap smear test (also known as cervical screening) looks at how healthy your cervix is. Your healthcare provider takes

Choosing how you want to birth your baby is one of the most personal decisions you’ll make. If you’ve previously had a caesarean section, you might be wondering what your options are for your pregnancy. Can you attempt a vaginal birth after having a previous caesarean section? You’ll be relieved to know that it is possible for many women who have previously had a caesarean section to have a vaginal birth. This is known as vaginal birth after caesarean or VBAC for short. There

Birth is remarkable regardless of how your baby arrives. If you’ve had a caesarean birth, you are recovering from major abdominal surgery while caring for your newborn baby. What a lot to deal with right?Good news, with a few simple tips and the correct support you can heal well from your operation and enjoy those special newborn moments with your baby. Caesarean births are one of the most common operations, with around 1 in 3 babies born by caesarean section in the UK. Wheth

Pregnancy is a time of significant change, both physically and emotionally. While many women rely on traditional medicine, an increasing number of expectant mothers are turning to natural alternatives like aromatherapy. This gentle practice involves the use of essential oils extracted from plants to promote health and wellbeing during pregnancy. Best Gynaecologists understand the journey that expectant mothers are on. myGynaePlus is your trusted obstetricians and while we fo

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also raise questions about health conditions that could impact your baby. If you are pregnant, you may have heard of people miscarrying due to a urine infection. But what are the facts? We delve into the relationship between urinary tract infections (UTIs) and miscarriage and what the evidence suggests. Read on for accurate information to keep you safe and sound. Understanding Urinary Tract Infections During Pregnancy A urinary tract

Pregnancy is a happy event that is accompanied by a large number of changes in the body of the expectant mother. During this time, the body of any woman becomes more sensitive to infections, for example, to urine infection. It is important for the pregnant woman to take care of herself and at the first signs of a UTI to contact a London best gynaecologist myGynaePlus for a competent examination by an experienced obstetrician who will help throughout the entire pregnancy. A u