Womens’ Health

Womens Health Limerick

Roxboro Medical Centre’s experienced team of nurses and doctors in Limerick offer a range of services specifically designed for women’s health. 

At our Women’s Health Clinic we offer Well Woman checks, a family planning clinic, contraceptive care, antenatal care, and cervical checks.

With Well Woman checks and women’s health screening, we aim to help all women stay healthy.  Please note a female doctor can be requested for any of the following if preferred. Please advise us of your preference when making your appointment with our doctors in Limerick.

Well Woman Check

This is a screening package geared towards your age and specific complaints.

What does a Well Woman’s Check Involve?

A Well Woman check involves a questionnaire and full history, a complete physical examination and investigations as outlined below:

The History and Screening Questionnaire Looks At Any:

• Current concerns or symptoms
• Relevant family history
• Lifestyle and habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption and activity levels
• Past medical history
• Medications
• Allergies

The Full Examination Checks Your:

• Height
• Weight
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Waist circumference
• Blood pressure
• Heart rate/Pulse to check for the rate and rhythm
• Cardiovascular examination
• Respiratory examination
• Neurological examination
• Abdominal examination
• Breast examination
• Pelvic examination (if required)

The Investigations Check:

• Full blood count (checking your bone marrow and for anaemia)
• Kidney function test
• Liver function test
• Thyroid function test
• Fasting blood sugar and HBA1C (checking for diabetes)
• Cholesterol and lipid profile
• Iron profile (check for Hereditary Haemochromatosis)
• Hormone check (if applicable)
• Urinalysis
• Electrocardiogram (Tracing of the heart)
• Cervical smear (if required)

Cervical Screening / Cervical Check

Here at Roxboro Medical Centre we offer cervical screening as part of the national cervical screening program, called Cervical Check.

This screening program is a FREE state-funded screening test for sexually active women who have a cervix, aged between 25 and 65.  The aim is to assess the health of the cervix, the entrance to the womb.

Since March 2020, a new form of cervical screening has commenced in Ireland called HPV cervical screening.  This test involves taking a small sample of cells from your cervix.  These cells are then checked for high-risk types of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus).  If these are detected your sample will them be checked for any abnormal cells.  This method is thought to be a better way of cervical screening as it detects more cancers and means fewer tests for some women.

Our nurses at Roxboro Medical Centre generally perform smear tests.  You can check if you are due a smear test by checking the cervical check website,

If you are not due a Smear as part of the national screening service, we can offer you one privately, but a cost will be incurred.

Please note screening is done only on women who do not have symptoms.  If you have symptoms or concerns, then a consultation with one of our doctors in Limerick is necessary. The doctor will decide if other investigations or a referral is needed.

Family Planning Clinic Limerick / Contraception

We offer a range of contraception options here at Roxboro Medical Centre.  Please make an appointment with one of our Limerick doctors to discuss which option will best suit your needs.

Pre-Pregnancy Planning

If you plan on becoming pregnant, it is a good idea to make an appointment to discuss your plans.  At this consultation, we can review your medical history and any current conditions that might have an effect on a pregnancy.  We will review any previous pregnancy problems, the medicine you are taking, vaccinations that you may need and steps you can take before pregnancy to prevent certain birth defects.

Fertility

Infertility is a significant health problem in Ireland, affecting 15% of the population at reproductive age.  Couples that have been having regular unprotected intercourse and have been unsuccessful for over a year are considered infertile. 

Fortunately, there are many safe and effective therapies that can significantly improve your chances of becoming pregnant.  It would be essential to seek medical advice and investigations if this is the case.

As fertility declines and the success rate of fertility treatments reduce with age, we would recommend anyone over the age of 35 to get investigated if they have been unsuccessful for a period of 6 months. Either partner can cause infertility.  

Following a full history and examination of both partners, investigations may be ordered. In women, this would involve a series of blood tests.  These tests are done on day 2-5 when still bleeding and further tests are done at day 21, or 7 days before your expected period.

The blood tests we perform on day 2-5 are:

• Full Blood Count,
• Coagulation screen (clotting),
• Liver Function tests
• Kidney function tests,
• Fasting sugar and HBA1C (diabetes check)
• Prolactin level
• FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
• LH (luteinizing hormone)
• Thyroid Function Test
• Viral screen (hepatitis B, C and HIV)
• Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH)**

Day 21 test

This test checks progesterone (check of ovulation). 

A Pelvic ultrasound is usually ordered for women and a semen analysis ordered for the male.  If no obvious reversible cause is found a referral to a fertility specialist can be made.

Anti Mullerian Hormone is a hormone test that can give an indication of your ovarian reserve.  Women are born with their lifetime supply of eggs, and this reserve of eggs gradually declines with time.  Ovarian reserve is important to know when considering having a baby or fertility treatment to guide treatment options and timing.  AMH** is not a test of egg quality and does not predict your chances of a natural conception in the near future.

Contraception

We have a comprehensive list of contraception services – view our dedicated Contraceptive Care page

Antenatal Care

Our Limerick Doctors and nurses at Roxboro Medical Centre would be delighted to take care of you and your baby throughout your pregnancy.

This service is a FREE state-funded scheme to anyone ordinarily resident under the maternity and infant scheme.  It provides for a number of scheduled visits to your GP and maternity hospital and allows for pregnancy-related care only.

Please note, other illnesses not related to your pregnancy are not covered, and our usual consultation fee may apply.

On your initial visit, which is usually before 12 weeks, your GP will confirm your pregnancy and take some baseline measurements.  A referral will be sent to the local maternity clinic for shared care, and you will be advised of other visit dates.

Please note the HSE recommend both Influenza and pertussis vaccination to protect pregnant women and their babies during pregnancy.  This will be discussed during your visit.

The schedule of visits is:

Following delivery a 6-week check for you and your new baby will take place and the cost of this check is covered by the scheme.

Where Do I Go For A Well Woman’s Check / Women’s Health Screening?

All Well Woman Checks and Women’s health screening appointment are held at our Limerick Doctors clinic in Roxboro. Contact us today to make your Well Woman’s Check appointment.

Book an Appointment