1 – Jennifer
39y. PMH: nil. DH: COCP
I’m worried because my sister has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Do I need a referral because of my family history?
Sister is 44
No other family history of any cancers
No Jewish heritage
ICE: COCP – I’ve heard it can increase breast cancer risk? Should I stop it?
Should I get one of those private screening tests just to be safe?
When can I get a mammogram?
How can I reduce my risk?
2 – Hannah
28y. PMH: nil. DH: COCP
I was sent for an USS by the other doctor and I’ve seen in my NHS app that it is normal. Does that mean there’s nothing wrong?
Always had heavy painful periods since menarche (age 13) but now pelvic pain too for the last 18/12
Pain is worse a week before periods start
Loose and bloody bowel motions the week prior to and at start of period
Dyspareunia
Really struggling with work – having to take about a week off every month and getting in trouble
Struggling with relationship with partner due to painful sex
Struggling with mood due to all of the above
Embarrassing episodes of flooding and spending £££ on sanitary wear
Want to TTC soon
Not tried anything except paracetamol yet
ICE: Would like a diagnosis, could it be endometriosis?
Worried about impact on fertility
Should she get referred?
If pain and bleeding could be managed as well as any suggestions for work – happy to try
3 – Anika
30y. PMH: hypothyroidism. DH: levothyroxine 50mcg
Yes this pregnancy was planned
LMP makes her around 6 weeks (regular periods)
This is my first pregnancy
Has not contacted CMW yet
Made GP appointment as mother in law told her that’s what you have to do, is it not?
Not taking any pre-natal vitamins yet
Has annual TFTs and has been stable on thyroxine dose for several years
ICE: How can I best stay healthy, anxious about pregnancy given thyroid problem
Will the baby have thyroid problems too?
4 – Ola
32y. PMH: nil. DH: recent acutes – cyclizine, prochlorperazine
The new tablets still aren’t working
I’m now 8 weeks and still struggling with nausea. I’m not vomiting much.
I’m a nurse and really struggling at work.
I am eating small, bland foods and drinking fluids but not tolerating larger meals
I’ve tried two medications now and I’m worried because the last GP told me that if this one didn’t work there’s not really anything else to try
You don’t really want to be off work
You have been checking your urine at work for ketones.
ICE: Is there really nothing else I can try? When will this stop?!
5 – Zara
23y. PMH: migraine.
My periods are so irregular
Menarche aged 14, settled into a semi-regular pattern but then for the last 2 years or so have been all over the place
I think I probably have a period every 12-16 weeks, I think I had 3 periods last year
No IMB or PCB
Not currently sexually active, not planning to become pregnant, not had intercourse
Significant acne and hirsutism
BMI normal
I have migraine with aura
ICE: Older sister had similar and was told had PCOS after USS – will I have to have one? Worried re: TVUSS
I also googled PCOS and it looks like COCP is recommended – can I try that? Worried about risk of endometrial hyperplasia. Would not want coil as not sexually active.
6 – Karen
50y. PMH: anxiety. DH: sertraline
Sorry to bother you, I know you’re busy, I was hoping to get a blood test first and then come to you if needed. But your receptionists, they really gatekeep don’t they, wow
I wanted the blood test to see if I’m menopausal or not, there was an article about it online
Periods have become more erratic and heavier last 6/12 or so
Feeling much more irritable, snapping around husband and children
Really feeling like I can’t function at work and that’s not an option, I work as a regional manager so have a lot of responsibility
Low libido and dry down below
Flushes and poor sleep at night
Thought you needed a blood test, is that not the case?
On sertraline but I don’t think this feels the same as what I started that for
Not had a hysterectomy, had 2x children NVD 20/25 years ago
Not using any hormonal contraception, rarely have sex – I’m too old to get pregnant now??
ICE: Open to HRT, aware of risks and benefits
7 – Margaret
74y. PMH: polymyalgia. DH: prednisolone
I don’t see what all the fuss is about, I spent long enough waiting at that hospital
It’s only a little break to the wrist, nothing I can’t handle
Fell putting the washing out tripped over dog, standing height
Neighbour saw and made go to A&E, what a fuss
No previous falls
Non-smoker, partial to a sherry most evenings
I take these steroids for that Polymyalgia, marvellous things they are don’t you ever take them off me
Menopause donkeys years ago (at age 40 when pressed)
Live alone, fiercely independent, want it to stay that way. Neighbour keeps an eye, sons miles away in Australia but they do call, guilt calls I call it
Never had a bone scan
Not under rheum for PMR just GP and been on steroids for ages
Diet is ok, not much fun cooking for one so mainly just have ready meals
ICE: don’t understand why have been called back by GP, don’t want a fuss, does NOT want to stop prednisolone
8 – Beatrice
68y. PMH: recurrent UTIs. DH: recent acutes – 5x prescriptions for nitrofurantoin in last 3 months
I tried to request some more antibiotics because my symptoms haven’t gone away this time but reception said it had been declined. I don’t see why, I got them this way in the past?
I get recurrent UTIs, I always get antibiotics. Sometimes it settles it sometimes it doesn’t…if I’m honest usually it doesn’t. Maybe it’s more that the symptoms go away for a bit then come back.
Also had some from the pharmacy and from the OOH GP
Also tried some thrush treatment to see if that helped but it didn’t
Burning/stinging sensation down below, worse when PU, but the sensation is there even when not PU
No suprapubic pain or flank pain
No fevers, no vomiting
Feeling like need to PU all the time
Aren’t these symptoms of UTI? My friend has the same issue, her GP just gives her the antibiotics
If I think back probably have felt these symptoms for months if not years.
Just assumed it was part of getting older
Menopause – around 55, did not have HRT as symptoms weren’t too bad
If asked yes is affecting sex life, pretty much don’t have intercourse any more as too painful
No bleeding no discharge, regular sexual partner (husband)
ICE: annoyed script for antibiotics was rejected, normally it’s not a problem I don’t see what the fuss is about. Open to discussing topical oestrogen if offered, anything to help the symptoms. Will that stop me getting UTIs??
Page last reviewed: 2 June, 2026