It’s important to check your breasts regularly, so you can spot any changes early. Knowing how your breasts feel and look normally helps you notice anything unusual, which can be important for your health.
Checking your breasts regularly helps you:
- Spot Changes Early: Most breast changes are not serious, but finding them early means any necessary treatment can be started quickly.
- Understand Your Body: It helps you feel more confident about how your body works and notice any changes.
When you check your breasts, look for:
- Lumps or Thick Areas: A lump in the breast or armpit that wasn’t there before.
- Skin Changes: Redness, dimpling, or rash on the skin of your breasts.
- Pain: Unusual or constant pain that doesn’t go away.
- Nipple Changes: Fluid coming out of the nipple (not milk) or any change in the shape or colour of the nipple.
Common breast problems include:
- Benign Lumps: Lumps in your breasts that are not cancerous. They can happen due to hormonal changes, especially around your period.
- Fibrocystic Breast Changes: When your breasts feel lumpy or tender, often linked to hormonal changes.
- Infections: Sometimes, the breast tissue can become infected, especially if you’re breastfeeding. This can cause swelling, pain, and redness.
- Breast Cancer: This is less common but still important to check for. A lump or change in the breast can sometimes be a sign of cancer, so it’s important to speak to a doctor if you notice anything unusual.
When to See a GP
If you notice any unusual changes, it’s always best to see a GP.
Most of the time, breast changes are not caused by cancer, but it’s important to get them checked out to be sure.
For more information, visit Breast Pain | NHS.
We have a dedicated, highly skilled, team at Aylmer Lodge to support you with your contraceptive needs.
We offer an extensive range of contraceptive services run by some of the doctors who specialise in coil and implant insertion.
- Dr Jo Jenkins, Dr Sophie Lord and Dr Katy Francis – IUD insertions and Implants
- Sister Kat Guest – Pill checks
If you would like to discuss your contraception needs, please request a telephone consultation with one of the above GPs.
You can explore the different contraception types available:
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception can stop you from getting pregnant after unprotected sex (sex without contraception or when contraception might have failed).
If you have been at risk of getting pregnant, two methods are available:
- Pills can be prescribed up to 72 hours afterwards.
- A coil can be fitted up to five days afterwards.
See a GP as soon as possible, or find an emergency contraception pharmacy/clinic near you.
Menopause is when your periods stop, but peri-menopause can last for years before. During this time, your body’s hormone levels change, which can cause symptoms like hot flushes, trouble sleeping, mood changes, and tiredness. There are treatments and lifestyle changes that can help you feel better, such as eating well, staying active, and managing stress.
If your symptoms are hard to cope with, please speak with a GP.
Menopause – Patient Information
Menopause is a natural part of every woman’s life and isn’t always an easy transition for all, but with the right support, it can be much better. Please see the attachment below for more detailed information regarding the Menopause.
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support your bladder, womb, and bowel. These muscles help you control when you go to the toilet and help with movement and balance.
As you grow, your pelvic floor muscles can sometimes get weaker. This can happen for many reasons, such as pregnancy, childbirth, or even heavy lifting. Keeping your pelvic floor muscles strong is important for staying healthy and feeling comfortable.
What You Can Do to Keep Your Pelvic Floor Healthy
- Posture: Sitting and standing up straight helps your pelvic floor muscles work properly.
- Healthy habits: Drinking enough water and eating healthy foods help avoid problems like constipation, which can weaken the pelvic floor.
- Pelvic Floor Exercises: One great exercise is the Sit, Squeeze, Lift:
- Sit up straight in a chair, with your feet flat on the ground.
- Squeeze your pelvic floor muscles (like you’re trying to stop the flow of urine).
- Lift those muscles up as high as you can, holding for a few seconds.
- Relax and repeat.
When to See a GP
If you notice anything unusual, like trouble going to the toilet or leaking urine, it’s a good idea to talk to a GP.
These problems are common but can be treated.
To learn more about pelvic floor health, visit Pelvic Floor Health | RCOG.
If you’re pregnant, you can now self-refer directly to a midwife without needing to contact your GP or call the maternity hub.
The new online self-referral form helps you connect with the midwives at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, ensuring that your care planning begins as soon as possible.
The self-referral form is available 24/7, offering a quick and easy way to get started with your antenatal care.
To self-refer, please complete the form here.
Please Note:
- If you have changed your name or address and have not informed us, please update your details with us first before completing the form.
- You will need your NHS Number to make the self-referral.
- If you are worried about your pregnancy, please consult your GP.
For any further information on self-referral, visit here.
You can also access all of the useful information during your pregnancy.
To find out more about maternity services, please visit Maternity Services
If you have any concerns about Sexually Transmitted Diseases, more information can be found at Worcestershire Integrated Sexual Health Service (WISH). Here you can find information about the clinics and STDs, and also has information about contraception and how you can access free condoms.
You can access free home testing for a number of STDs at SH:24, which is a free online sexual health service.
Please call us and get help if you have been a victim of sexual assault/rape or visit Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence | Worcestershire County Council