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Elaine Gracey, aged 50, was advised by her doctor over three years ago to have a contraceptive coil fitted to manage her heavy and painful menstrual periods. Despite this recommendation, she is still waiting for the procedure to take place. Elaine described her experience with severe bleeding, recalling a night when the pain was so intense that she sat in a bath that became filled with blood and large clots. She expressed frustration at being expected merely to endure the symptoms without timely medical intervention.
Northern Ireland currently faces the longest waiting lists for gynaecology services in the UK. The Department of Health acknowledged this issue and stated that although efforts to reduce waiting times and improve patient pathways have begun, these initiatives are still in the early stages. For Elaine, the coil was an essential first step in her menopause treatment, and the ongoing delay has had a significant impact on her quality of life. She shared how, during particularly difficult nights, she would sleep on towels to manage the heavy bleeding and often arrived at work exhausted due to poor sleep and persistent pain.
The hormonal coil, also known as the intrauterine system (IUS), serves as a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women during perimenopause and menopause to control heavy and irregular bleeding. This device, inserted into the womb by a healthcare professional, is generally a quick procedure lasting five to ten minutes, though some cases require hospital treatment due to complications. Elaine, who has since been prescribed a different HRT, expressed disappointment at how her symptoms were not given the urgency they deserved. She stated, “No woman should have to wait three or four years just to be called – that is not dealing with the issue, but we are just women.”
Across Northern Ireland’s five health trusts, a total of 6,597 women marked as high-priority patients await specialist consultations for menopause and gynaecological issues, with some waits extending as long as four and a half years. Service provision varies, and some trusts lack dedicated menopause clinics due to funding constraints. Gail Ritchie, a 45-year-old from Londonderry, endured more than seven years on a waiting list after being diagnosed with pelvic congestion syndrome, a painful condition involving swollen pelvic veins. The prolonged delay severely affected her mental and physical health. Eventually, she sought private treatment, where she quickly received care and underwent a hysterectomy followed by HRT. Her experience highlights the profound consequences of extended wait times and the pressing need for improved healthcare access
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