‘The pain was intense’: why UK women are paying for private gynaecological care | Women’s health

WA omen in Britain pay up to 11154 pounds for hysterectomy in private hospitals due to the delay of women’s care in NHS, according to a research conducted. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The guardian spoke to three women regarding their special payment experiences for front therapy.

Rachel Bevan, a 33 -year -old flood management from Abeerstoyeth, has begun to suffer from severe pain at the age of 16. “I was told that I am just a person who has very heavy periods,” says Bevan. She was placed on birth control pills, but when her periods returned after the birth of her son in 2022, the symptoms became worse.

Many GPS saw, with some suggestion that her case was “muscle” or that it was “perhaps a urinary tract infection”, before it was referred to see a consultant describing it as estrogen correction. “It seemed hesitant in believing that it might be endometriosis, but six months later of being in a state of torment, I was finally put in the waiting list to obtain diagnostic abdominal the endoscopy.”

When Levan was said NHS The waiting list was at least a year, and a quarter to five years to remove any potential endometrium lining, and it was “sad” and decided to reach the private sector.

Within a month, I saw a consultant and after examining MRI, she was diagnosed with paint and deep uterine lining, which “linking the back of my womb to my large and small bumps.” She is now looking to get the endoscopy next month or so. “It is a great relief,” says Bevan.

With the cost of special treatment reaches about 10,000 pounds, Pivan feels lucky because she was able to use the family’s emergency savings, as well as receive some financial assistance from her husband’s father. “I still find it difficult to treat it, but I can’t wait until I live my entire life.”

In 2021, ABI, a 62 -year -old communication teacher, realized that she had a lower abdomen block that caused severe discomfort and affects her ability to go to the toilet. “I was quickly referred to a gynecologist and I was told that I have many fibroids, one of which is the size of watermelon,” says Abi, who lives in North Norfolk.

She was told that it would be waiting for 18 months on NHS to eradicate the uterus, but fibroids prevented them from doing daily activities such as raising things and exercise. “I am a strong supporter of NHS and struggled with the idea of ​​moving to the private sector,” she says.

“However, after discussions with my wife, we decided that I could not wait for a long time and by getting out of the waiting list, this would allow another person to take my place, so we decided to pay using our savings.”

Due to the larger size of the fiber, it had a complete uterine eradication, which cost approximately 12,000 pounds. The surgery was successful, but during a follow -up consultation, she was told that doctors discovered pre -cancerous cells that, if not removed, would have evolved into cancer.

“I was fully shocked and felt a mixture of comfort and terror, as it might happen if I had to wait. I also felt guilty because I only escaped from cancer because I managed to pay the price of treatment.”

Lauren Phillips, 37 -year -old independent brand advisor, was suffering or 5 am; “It will be intense enough to wake me up,” says Phillips. I could not manage the pain myself, and that was disrupting my sleep. At that point, I also noticed that my period was 12 or 13 days. “

This pushed Philips to visit a doctor, who told her that they could refer her to a NHS specialist but the waiting list will be 18 months. With the pain that affects the quality of her life, Philips felt that she had no choice but to see a special gynecologist. “At that stage I was completely desperate, the quality of my life was completely mysterious,” says Phillips.

Phillips with endometrium is diagnosed with internal ultrasound, with the surgeon recommending that it remove the ovarian cyst by theorizing. The total cost of treatment amounted to 10,000 pounds, but for Philips, it was worth it because it greatly reduced the amount of pain that had been usually suffered. “For me, surgery was worth that cost,” says Phillips. “I was in a position that allowed me to get some savings, but I had to borrow money from the family because I am working for their own account, so this was for me.

“The cost was worth it because at that time, anything else was not doing it helped reduce this pain, and the surgeon seemed to insist that this would make a big difference for me.”