Birmingham Women’s Endometriosis Centre
Welcome to our Endometriosis Centre. It was established in 2014 and is a BSGE accredited Endometriosis centre offering specialised care to patients diagnosed with Endometriosis. We are dedicated to aiding the diagnosis and management of Endometriosis and work closely with our Fertility centre to offer ongoing care to patients when needed. We aim to improve your condition and help you manage your symptoms.
We are incredibly proud of our performance which includes:
- Nearly all cases of endometriosis are managed by laparoscopy (keyhole surgery), providing a shorter hospital stay, quick recovery, less infection, fewer wound complications and less scarring
- Using an innovative technique (conservative skinning) to make sure there is no need for bowel resection which carries the risk of bowel dysfunction or hysterectomy
- Above-average patient satisfaction, based on national figures
- Low levels of rates of complications, based on national figures
Meet the Endometriosis Team
Gynaecologists:
Mr Yousri Afifi/Miss Lina Antoun/Mr Paul Smith
Endometriosis Specialist Nurse:
Helen Walshe
Adolescent and Paediatric Gynaecology Specialist
Miss Pallavi Latthe
Colorectal surgeon:
Mr Simon Radley
Urologist:
Mr Tom King
Radiologist:
Dr Moji Balagun
Menopause and Endometriosis Specialist Doctor
Mr. Mark Chadwick
Specialist Endometriosis Fellows:
Dr Tabassum Khan ST7 O&G
Dr Jayashish Ghosh ST6 OG
What is Endometriosis?
- If you have been referred to our centre, it means your clinician is concerned that you may have a condition called Endometriosis.
- Endometriosis usually presents in women during their menstrual lifetime. The symptoms can range from pelvic pain to pain during sexual intercourse as well as bowel and bladder symptoms.
- It affects up to 10% of women in the general population
- There is on average a 7-year time until patients are seen by a specialist due to a delay in diagnosis.
- It occurs when your endometrium (the lining of your womb) grows outside of the womb. It can affect your pelvis as well as your bowel/bladder.
How is Endometriosis diagnosed?
- A BSGE pain questionnaire is completed, and you are assessed by a specialist in our centre
- Imaging tools such as USS and MRI are used to assess for features of Endometriosis
- Diagnostic laparoscopy can also be used for assessment of endometriosis
What happens once I have been diagnosed?
- Management options are discussed with you which include medical, surgical and conservative measures
- Your fertility desires are taken into account and your care plan is individualised
- If your Endometriosis is thought to be complex your case may be discussed in our MDT meetings, which occur monthly.
- We work closely with the fertility team, urology and colorectal team. You may be advised to see another specialist before you undergo surgery.
Where am I normally seen?
On your first visit, you are reviewed in the gynaecology outpatient department by our dedicated Endometriosis specialists, based at the Birmingham Women's Hospital. You will have a thorough assessment and management options will be discussed with you.
Where does the surgery take place?
Surgery will take place at the Birmingham Women's Hospital. Once you have decided on surgery, you will be placed on a surgical waiting list, which will vary according to when you are added. You will get seen in our pre-operative services and will receive post-operative care from our dedicated specialist nurses.
What support networks are available?
We work closely with the charity Endometriosis UK to support patients and offer patient information.
We have a patient focus group which we run once a month - we are now moving to a virtual group.