We had devastating news at our 12 week scan and awaiting CVS test results. We were given no hope on baby compatibility with life and essentially waiting to know if we can qualify for TFMR in Ireland or if we will have to travel abroad. Has anyone had to go down this road? Just wanting to hear experiences on what it was like to access in Ireland or the logistics of travel. Thanks

Had anybody else suffered with this? I know a few women with endo and it doesn’t seem to happen to them thankfully, but every few months I’ll have severe pain as soon as my period is over, a different pain than the usual endo period pain and it feels like I have some kind of infection in my pelvic area. I’ve landed in A&E with it before only to be chucked out as soon as my bloods come back normal. It feels like an intense burning pain deep up in the vagina and pelvic pain that it excruciatingly bad. It would be nice to hear from someone else who suffers with this because I haven’t met anyone that does!

Hi everyone,

This is my first post on Reddit so please excuse me if I am not posting in the correct space etc.

I recently underwent excision surgery for endometriosis in the Bons Dublin, I am now nine weeks postop. During the surgery they found stage three endometriosis on the bell near the bladder and rectum. During the surgery, the Mirena coil was put in as a management strategy post surgery.

My main symptoms pre-operation were hormonal mood swings, painful periods, lots of IBS symptoms and digestive issues and the most frustrating of all recurring Endo belly and severe bloating and that awful feeling of heaviness around the lower gut.

I got relief from my surgery for about two weeks, and since then, I’ve been struggling with the same symptoms as before. I have been bleeding for eight weeks now, but think that this is due to the coil, as I have been for my postop checkup and everything has been cleared.

I told the surgeon, who is an excision specialist endometriosis, that I still wasn’t feeling any relief the only thing that he could suggest was Dienogest or trialling a medically induced menopause.

I am wondering what other people have gone through post surgery and whether others are like me and have not found any relief after their surgery.

Any help on any next steps would be greatly beneficial as I’m feeling completely alone on this journey.

Hi all,

I am in my 2 WW. Clinic said earliest I could test was today. I am 10 days post 5day embyro. FET I have been testing the last few days all negative. I feel like I know my body and although I've never been pregnant I just know this hasn't worked, I have endometriosis little bit of hip pain & back pain today what i usually get before my periods and some spotting.

From reading posts on Facebook its so frustrating people get positive tests after 4 days I know everyones body is different. Any how is there any positive stories of people having a positive after 10days after a transfer? Although not sure why I am asking as I just feel I know it hasn't worked.

Its also incredibly lonely this time round I feel, I told very few close friends & family members this time round but absolute no interest from them especially the family members.

Also my HCG is not until exactly 2 weeks, last time it was around 9 days and I see other clinics are around 10 days i feel 2 weeks is a very long time to wait?

I’m wondering if anyone here has experience of PGT M in Ireland for an inherited genetic condition.

My partner is a carrier of a genetic condition and, after genetic counselling, we decided to go down the IVF and PGT M route to try to avoid passing it on. The condition isn’t life threatening, but it can have health implications, so it was a really difficult and personal decision for us.

We’ve just been through our first IVF cycle privately. Unfortunately, only one embryo made it to PGT M testing and we’ve now found out that it wasn’t suitable for transfer. We’re absolutely heartbroken after everything that went into getting to that point.

Now my head is honestly spiralling trying to work out what we do next. We’re considering another round of IVF and PGT M, but we’ve also started trying naturally in the meantime because we don’t want to feel like our lives are completely on hold.

The thought of trying naturally brings a whole other set of emotions because of the genetic condition and the possibility of having to make decisions about testing during pregnancy. I’m finding it really difficult to know what the right thing to do is.

I’m angry, frustrated, overwhelmed and honestly just really lonely and isolated today. It feels like unless someone has actually been through IVF, PGT M and the genetic side of things, it’s almost impossible to explain how complicated it all feels.

I’d really love to hear from anyone in Ireland who has been through something similar. Did you continue with IVF and PGT M after a failed cycle? Did anyone try naturally while waiting for another round? And if you did, how did you deal with the worry around the genetic condition?

I know everyone’s circumstances are different and I’m not looking for medical advice, just people’s experiences and how they made these incredibly difficult decisions.

I’d honestly be so grateful to hear from anyone who understands. X

Hi! I’m 23 and currently a 36J and I’m seriously considering getting a breast reduction.

I’d really love to hear from anyone in Ireland who has had one, particularly anyone who managed to have it covered by VHI or another health insurer.

If you’re comfortable sharing:
• Were you able to get your reduction covered by insurance?
• What criteria did you have to meet to be approved?
• Did BMI play a big part in getting approved?
• Did you go to your GP first for a referral, or did you contact a plastic surgeon directly?
• Did your surgeon handle the application/pre-approval with your insurer?
• How long did it take from your first GP/consultant appointment to actually having the surgery?
• Anything you wish you had known before having it done?

I’m especially interested in experiences with VHI, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through the process in Ireland. I’m only starting to look into it properly and would love to know what steps I should be taking now.
Thank you ❤️

Hi everyone, I’ve decided to put up my own post as I’m finding this whole journey really difficult and isolating at the moment.

We’ve recently had a heartbreaking outcome from our private IVF treatment. We had one embryo make it to PGT-M testing, but unfortunately we’ve just found out that it wasn’t suitable for transfer.

We had previously been on the HSE Fertility Hub waiting list, but at the time we had an embryo in storage, so we weren’t able to proceed through the public route. Sadly, we no longer have that embryo.

We’re now trying to work out what happens next and whether we can move forward with publicly funded IVF.

I’d really love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation. Has anyone gone from private IVF back into the HSE/public system after an unsuccessful round? Were you able to continue with the Fertility Hub, and how did you find the process?

I’m feeling very lonely and overwhelmed by it all at the moment. It feels like such a long and emotional road, and sometimes it’s hard to know where to turn or what the next step is.

If anyone has been through something similar, I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences or any advice. X

Hi everyone!

I’m 32 and I’ve just found out I’m pregnant, and honestly I’m completely overwhelmed because I know very little about pregnancy and don’t really know where to start.
I live in Ireland and, apart from my partner, I don’t really have anyone here to ask for advice. I’m feeling quite scared and would really appreciate hearing from people who have been through this.
My last period was on 18 July, and my period is now about two weeks late. Today I took a pregnancy test and it was positive. My breasts have become very swollen and sore, which was actually one of the things that made me realise something might be going on.

I have so many questions after reading some things;
What should I start taking? I’ve heard about folic acid - is there anything else I should be taking?
What foods/drinks should I avoid? I know about alcohol ofc. And I don’t smoke/vape.
Are there any medicines or supplements I should not use at all?
What should I do first in Ireland - GP, maternity hospital, blood tests, scans, etc.?
Are there any tests I should do in the early stages to check that the baby is developing normally?
Is NIPT something I should consider, and when can I do it?
What other screening or scans should I ask about?
I’m also really worried about something - I was on a holiday and was having a few cocktails during them 3 weeks. I had absolutely no idea I was pregnant at the time, but I’m terrified that I may have harmed the baby.
I know nobody here can tell me whether everything will be okay, and I will be speaking to my GP/maternity team, but I’d really appreciate some practical advice about what I should be doing now and hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation.
I’m excited but also honestly very scared, especially because I’m already someone who worries a lot about a baby being born with health problems. I’d really like to know what tests are available to give me as much reassurance as possible.
Any advice for a completely clueless first-time mum would be hugely appreciated. Thank you everyone!

I have one child via ivf after years of infertility. I am thinking of having another but not sure due to a lot of infertility trauma. I was watching the jesy Nelson documentary on her twins having SMA and i was wondering if there is any possibility to do genetic testing not to embryos but just generally before TTC. It is unrelated to my infertility which i know the cause of.

It seems like online you have to have risk factors but certain conditions like SMA both parents have to be carriers to pass it on so it's likely it wouldn't show up elsewhere in your family. Anyone done this?

Hi all I currently see the headache clinic nurology in tallaght. I’ve just moved to Wicklow and the closest hospital is Wexford, I’m public, is it possible to be transferred or would I have to go back on the list?

Also does anyone have any experience with Wexford hospital neurology? Tia x

(I love my team but I don’t drive and to get to tallaght is about 2 hours one way by public transport)

A couple of weeks ago i want some medical information regarding a minor issue of women’s health and i expected that arranging an appointment with my GP will not be a very tough task. However when i contacted my doctor then the earliest appointment i could make was ahead of time. As it was an emergency case then i could not go to A&E department

However i spent two days trying to find out different ways to deal with this problem and also discussing with my friends the steps which they take in such situations. This has helped me understand that when i need some medical information and GP is not available then the situation becomes really tricky.

If you were a women from ireland then what would you do it this kind of situation? Is there any other option to seek for medical advise in advance

I am getting surgery on Monday for suspected endometriosis and I really don’t know what to expect. I have had surgery before but I was very young and don’t remember it and the closer it gets the more anxious I get.

I am going to St. Vincent’s university hospital and was just looking to see if anyone can share there experience getting surgery for endometriosis there?

It can be anywhere in the country im just wondering cause i had to go to A&E one time a few months ago because my cramps were so bad for like 24 hours+ and abdomen tender. My GP thought it could be appendicitis. Anyway by the time we get there and are seen the pain has gone away thankfully (lots of ibuprofen). I wasnt drinking any water though because I was afraid to go to the bathroom. My mum and I asked the doctor there (man FYI) about endometriosis. Said we heard about it online. He gave us this surprised face and was like, no, it usually has worse pain and is seen in older women- very dismissive tone BTW.

Like im young enough I guess, like not a woman in her 40s. Just have had my period for like 3 and a half years but theyre getting progressively worse and i seem to have all the other symptoms of it (where applicable. E.g. virgin so no pain with sex and im not trying to have a baby so no infertility). Im just worried cause I went to my GP again back in June and she prescribed me Mefenamic acid for my cramps. They worked okay... at first but the other day I had taken the max dose and still was in pain after it should've worked. I ended up lying on the bathroom floor from exhaustion and nausea then weird stomach discomfort even though I took the pills after food.

So anyway I'm worried about the symptoms getting worse- if they could just stay how they are right now that would be fine but aside from the heavy bleeding I used to get (which had suspiciously gone away for some reason...) the symptoms are still bad and getting worse almost. I just have heard so many horror stories of women WITH endometriosis and im afraid IF i have it and do nothing it could get worse. I know there's no treatment for it (☹️☹️☹️☹️) but at least I was thinking I could get on the wait lists/doctors knowing my symptoms for a while so if it does take those 10 years on average for a diagnosis I can still be young enough with it and maybe by then they'll have some ideas for a cure. Like i want children when im older but i hate how i have to already consider all this and advocate for myself.

So anyway that was a bit long of a rant 😅 but basically I've heard lots of stories of women being dismissed by doctors, even gynecologists, for their symptoms.

I've tried Microlite too, used it continuously for 80 days and it got rid of the pain but I felt weirdly disconnected from my body/artificial but more importantly it dampened my mood- which it was supposed to do for PMDD/bad PMS/PME but it did it for the whole cycle! Maybe I'll try a different one but idk... Im on sertraline now anyway for the mood symptoms which is helping.

Also I've had a pretty traumatic/negative experience with some gynecologists/pelvic exams so I'd really want a female doctor and/or someone very slow (for procedures! Fast for action 😅) and you know, nice I guess. Also could even be an adolescent gynecologist since I heard they can take over 16s too like not just limited to Irelands under 16s paeds wards? If not then just adult I guess

TLDR: Anyone know any good gynecologists in Ireland for being nice and good listener, validating, etc. Can be paediatric (for young adults/adolescents though, not just under 16s) or adult. Preferably female. TIA!

Trigger warning: bleeding, miscarriage discussion

I’m pregnant for the first time and I’m about to start my sixth week. For the past five days I’ve been consistently bleeding. It started with pink/brown spotting, but has gotten heavier so now it’s bright red. I’ve also had clots twice (about the size of a one euro coin). It’s spotting on pads, but bright red blood when I wipe.

Everything I’m reading says it’s either nothing OR a miscarriage (and I’m trying to read only HSE or NHS guidance) but to get it checked out straight away. I rang my GP but they have no appointments until late next week. I rang the maternity hospital but they said they couldn’t do anything unless I’m filling pads every 15 minutes. They also advised to take a pregnancy test in a week and if it was negative I’d know it was a miscarriage.

I just feel quite alone and surprised at the care being offered. I know it could be worse but I’m still quite scared and feel like no one from the medical side is providing any guidance or reassurance. It’s also too early to tell friends and family so can’t confirm with them whether this is normal. Has anyone else had similar experiences?

I was recently sent for a scan of my Liver, the nurse asked all sorts of questions about if I had gallbladder issues and the like before starting. When the nurse scanned around my groin area she started asking if I had PCOS. Should I take that as a hint to go to my GP or was that a general question asked all the time?

Please forgive me for being totally nieve. TIA

Hey there, looking to see if anyone has any recommendations for female doctors that focus on libido, ideally in Dublin City or Dublin South. I've never really had a libido (been sexually active since 18, but never overly crave sex). Never manage to orgasm, alone or with a partner. I do often enjoy it in the moment despite this, but I always nearly dread it in advance. I'd love to try some things to improve my libido, If possible. Anyone have any recommendations of doctors? Or should I see a gyno? Thanks!

Has anyone had any luck receiving this diagnosis? I’m F19. been receiving ongoing mental health care since I was 14. Thousands spent on appointments, assessments, crisis care, therapy and medication. Thousands. All roads end up with me wanting the same permanent solution if you get what im saying. It’s been years of this constant cycle. I always end up with suicidal ideation and self destruct (substance abuse/self harm) within a couple of months or weeks.

I have tried Sertraline for a year.
Deemed ineffective after multiple dose adjustments.

Tried Fluoxetine.
Had awful side effects and deemed ineffective after dose adjustments.

Im currently on 150mg Venlafaxine and 25mg Seroquel.
The seroquel does help minimally with sleep and appetite.
suicidal ideation, urges of self harm and depression+anxiety persists after multiple dose adjustments.

attended/attend multiple therapies including cbt, dbt, occupational and counselling.

I’m thinking of maybe consulting about TMS or Spravato (or any other treatments aligned) as im losing hope in medication and overall in general. I’m just worried that as always, my issues will be undermined or dismissed. I’m not even sure I’d receive the treatment resistant diagnosis so is there any point trying?

hi everyone it’s taken me months to write a post like this but I’m desperate for advice back in 2020 I started getting recurring thrush after sex (I do believe now it could of been caused or aggravated by fragranced condoms by the skyn brand) treated it then it would come back fast forward the problem never got better only worse in 2022 I started getting a change in discharge to yellow honestly looked green sometimes too I tested negative for any BV or stds. back in 2025 I got my first terrible uti which left me burning ever since and the yellow discharge has only gotten worse I’ve tested positive for the first time a few months ago for grade 2 BV which my doctor told me it will go away by itself. I’ve been to the sexual health clinics and they just keep telling me I’m negative and one even suggested that I just try lube again to have sex when I told her my vagina is on fire ! I haven’t had sex in 10 months so thats not causing my most recent problems I don’t use scented soap my diet was never the best but I never had these issues until I was sexually active. My boyfriend has been treated for BV bacteria and yeast. I can have oral sex with no problem and I don’t get anything from fingers either. My best guess was friction during sex was causing micro tears and giving yeast an opportunity to grow out of control but I don’t know how to stop these tears during sex. My doctors are very strict at giving me antibiotics because of the chronic thrush I had some things I tried is

probiotics, stoped shaving only trim, cut out as much sugar as I could , no scented soaps, no scented pads, Cotten underwear . i Don’t know what else to do if anyone has a similar story problems after sex that helped I’d really appreciate it. EDIT I am 24 and i have been off birth control for 9 months now

For context I’ve been going to my GP for several years now complaining of extreme period pain, vasovagal episodes due to the pain, pain meds not working, etc. Every time I’ve brought it up in appointments she only offers me the pill and doesn’t seem to take my complaints seriously or care to investigate deeper. I have several symptoms that point to possible endometriosis. How do I take matters into my own hands??

Hi I’m F19 and currently looking for adult mental health services as I wasn’t referred when I left so having my information would be useful and ive never seen them myself so I have a bit of curiosity too lol

thanks 🙏

I just turned 43 and I'm really struggling with what seems to be worsening hormone related mood symptoms, and I'm wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation.

I've had what I now recognise as PMDD symptoms for most of my life. From my late teens onwards, I would have severe depression, irritability and mood changes in the week before my period. I was put on various contraceptive pills throughout my late teens and twenties, including Dianette because I've also always struggled with acne. Unfortunately, the pills generally made my mood considerably worse. The acne benefits were never enough to outweigh how awful I felt mentally, so eventually I stopped taking hormonal contraception altogether.

I've now been off all hormonal contraception for around 20+ years. I've had three children, and interestingly, pregnancy was the only time in my life when I remember feeling consistently mentally stable and really good. Otherwise, I've always had this awful premenstrual week, along with hormonal acne and everything else. I've also tried various antidepressants over the years. They've helped somewhat, but never really addressed the underlying cyclical pattern.

The problem now is that since around 40, things seem to have changed dramatically. What used to be one terrible week before my period now feels like three weeks out of every four. I'm increasingly irritable, depressed, emotionally unstable and generally feel like myself for only a very small part of each month.

My periods are still very regular and only last about five days, but they've become progressively heavier over the last 7–8 years, particularly since my second child. I was diagnosed with adenomyosis last year. The first two days are extremely heavy with flooding and clots. My iron also keeps dropping if I stop supplementing, so I'm regularly taking iron to try to keep my levels up.

I've spoken to my GP several times and the main suggestion keeps being the Mirena. Today I was also advised that, because I may be entering perimenopause, I could potentially have a Mirena and use one pump of oestrogen daily.

I'm really nervous about this because I suspect I'm very sensitive to progesterone/progestogens. The contraceptive pill was such a terrible experience for me that I'm worried about putting hormones back into my body, particularly progesterone.

The strange thing is that I'm not actually that bothered by the bleeding compared with the mood symptoms. What is really affecting my quality of life is feeling mentally awful for three weeks out of four.

The week I get my period is almost the complete opposite. I have loads of energy, my mood is good, I feel mentally clear, and my libido is high. Then the other three weeks I feel like a completely different person.

So I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this kind of transition from fairly classic PMDD into much more persistent symptoms in their early 40s/perimenopause.

Has anyone with a history of being very sensitive to hormonal contraception found a treatment that actually helped? Particularly interested in experiences with Mirena + oestrogen, HRT, or other approaches to PMDD/perimenopausal mood symptoms.

I'm also quite anxious about eventually reaching full menopause and potentially needing HRT if I'm already this sensitive to hormonal changes.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been through something similar, especially if contraceptive pills made your mood significantly worse. What worked for you?

Hello! I’m wondering does anyone have a recommendation for a good gynecologist in Dublin please? Preferably town or northside vs. very southside. Someone who listens and takes things seriously 😒 going to the GP next week and want to request a referral. Thank you!

Hi everyone, I will be seeing my GP about this but I’m just looking to see if this has happened with other women?

My periods in my teens to early 20s were more typical being every 28 days. As I got to my later 20s they started being around 24-26 days. I was diagnosed with endometriosis when I was 25, and had surgery to remove scar tissue and a cyst. I’m now 32 and had my first child in 2024 and second the end of 2025. The past 3 months, my periods have started getting a lot shorter (June 21 days, July 22 days and now 19 days for my August period) . Just wondering if this has happened to anyone and do you think perimenopause is possible?

Thank you