r/IrishWomensHealth • • Sep 10 '26

Mod Post šŸ’› What is ā€œIn Good Companyā€ flair? šŸ’›

149 Upvotes

You may recognise ā€œIn Good Companyā€ from our sister subreddit, [r/WomenOfIreland](r/WomenOfIreland).

We’re now reluctantly introducing the same safeguard here on [r/IrishWomensHealth](r/IrishWomensHealth).

We never wanted to introduce this measure here but unfortunately we have no choice. We’ve seen a significant increase in new members recently, alongside an increase in abusive, judgemental and anti-choice comments, particularly people attempting to shame women for accessing their basic right to healthcare, including abortion, and for making decisions about their own bodies and lives.

That is not something we will allow to become normalised here.

ā€œIn Good Companyā€ is a flair for sensitive or particularly vulnerable posts. When used, commenting is restricted to established members of the subreddit who have built up subreddit specific karma and regularly contribute positively to the community.

It’s an additional safeguard to help reduce brigading, bad faith participation and harassment, particularly when moderators aren’t online.

We’ve unfortunately had women sharing deeply personal experiences only to be targeted, mocked or antagonised.

We simply don’t want that happening here.

We are a volunteer mod team and cannot be online 24/7. Filters aren’t perfect, either. We do review comments caught by the filter where possible and manually approve those that are clearly helpful and made in good faith.

If your comment is removed by the filter, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve done anything wrong. If you think it has been caught incorrectly, please contact us through modmail and we’ll take a look when we can.

And please remember: we are volunteers and we are humans. You can disagree with a moderation decision without abusing the people who volunteer their time to keep this community safe. Abuse towards the mod team will not be tolerated.

If you see brigading, harassment, abuse or bad faith behaviour, please report it. It genuinely helps us.

Ultimately, we want [r/IrishWomensHealth](r/IrishWomensHealth) to remain a kind, respectful and safe place for women, including LGBTQ+ women, to turn to when they need it most. šŸ’›

Gach lƔ, gach Ɣit, seasaimid le chƩile ar son shlƔinte na mban.

Every day, everywhere, we stand together for women’s health. šŸ’›


r/IrishWomensHealth • • Jul 07 '26

Mod Post User flairs are now enabled! šŸŽ‰

18 Upvotes

Following user requests, we are now allowing members to create their own custom flairs to represent their location and/or illnesses.

We ask that you please stick to the following format:

Location - Illness/Condition(s)
Example: Dublin - POTS, Migraine, PMOS

This helps keep flairs consistent and makes it easier for members to connect with others who may share similar experiences.

How to add or customise your user flair:

  1. Go to the subreddit homepage.

  2. Tap the three dots (•••) in the top right corner.

  3. Select ā€œChange user flair.ā€

  4. Select ā€œAdd your own flairā€.

  5. Enter your chosen location and/or conditions using the format above.

  6. Save your flair.

You can update your flair at any time if your circumstances or preferences change.


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 18h ago

PCOS/PMOS PMOS- Endocrinologist Recommendations

2 Upvotes

Anyone have any endocrinologists who specialise in PMOS that they would recommend?


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 1d ago

PCOS/PMOS Glp-1 for PMOS with normal range BMI

0 Upvotes

Has anyone been able to get a GLP-1 for lean PMOS/PCOS? I'm desperate for something to work. I've been trying everything inc metformin with no real results.


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 1d ago

Fertility 12 DPO.Anyone else find TTC an absolute emotional rollercoaster?

7 Upvotes

Hi everyone ā¤ļø

I'm looking for a bit of support from people who understand what this is like, because I'm honestly exhausted.

We've recently had a failed IVF cycle. Our only embryo that made it to biopsy and freezing wasn't suitable for transfer following genetic testing. It's been heartbreaking, and I'm still processing it all while trying to conceive naturally.

I'm currently around 12 DPO. I've had a few days of brown spotting, which has now changed to a tiny bit of bright-red blood when wiping. My period isn't due for another couple of days, so I'm stuck in that horrible limbo of wondering if there's still hope or if my period is on the way.

I'm sick of analysing every symptom, checking temperatures and looking for signs. My mood has changed drastically, and I feel angry, confused and fed up with the constant cycle of hope followed by dread.

I spend so much time reading other people's stories for a bit of hope or wisdom, so I thought I'd finally share my own.

For anyone who's been through IVF disappointment and is still trying naturally, how do you cope with it all? I don't need anyone to tell me to stay positive. I just want to hear from people who genuinely understand.


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 1d ago

General Health Ct scan

0 Upvotes

Has anyone had a CT before? I’m early 30s and had to have one in my 20s due to abdominal pain. I just had to have a head one this week due to a fall and persistent headache. Thankfully both clear but starting to worry about the radiation exposure šŸ™ˆ


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 1d ago

General Health Eye advice plz

0 Upvotes

Hello. I was at a wedding Thursday and the waiter slammed down the prawn dish so hard that the chilli flakes flew straight into my eye. It streamed and stung so bad. Woke up yesterday to a swollen streaming eye. Tried optrex, ended up with an awful migraine from it and then today it’s no better. Have a busy work week and need to sort it. Have tried to rinse it , cold tea bag etc. any advice


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 2d ago

Endometriosis Laparoscopy.. yes or no?

2 Upvotes

Hi all,

I need some advice please, I had my first laparoscopy in 2017, multiple adhesions were found which they put down to PID (I feel like I have endometriosis and was misdiagnosed) I am due to have another laparoscopy in 3 weeks, the surgeon wants me to confirm whether I want to go ahead with it in the next week or so, he said due to previous laparoscopy and their findings that I am at risk of damage to my bowels, which would lead to a stoma bag, which obviously I would like to avoid if possible.
I’m aware they have to inform me of the risks of surgery but upon further discussion with the doctor he said if I decide against the surgery, he could refer me to a pain specialist (as codeine isn’t helping me whatsoever) I’m annoyed because I have seen him three times in the last two years and this option was never discussed with me. Also, others have suggested an MRI to see if surgery would be worth it/cause me issues… again I’m annoyed this option wasn’t brought to the table.
Sorry for the long post but just wondering if there are other women here who have experienced multiple laparoscopies? Just looking for some advice or other women’s experience,
Thank you in advance 😊


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 2d ago

Pregnancy Pregnancy appointments

1 Upvotes

First pregnancy here.
I’m currently 11 weeks and I have my first GP appointment next week, I’m just wondering what to expect and does my partner need to go to this appointment with me? He doesn’t want to miss out on anything in relation to the baby

I know for my first appointment in the hospital I’ll be getting a scan so he’ll be there for that.


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 3d ago

Mental Health Support Really struggling with health anxiety

12 Upvotes

I (42F) have been massively struggling with health anxiety over the past year. I have had dozens of scans, scopes, tests - indicating I'm all fine bar age related wear and tear. This includes MRIs of several body parts, CTs, colonoscopies, mammograms, bloods. It all kicked off with a relatives my age very serious health scare (now all ok thankfully)

I've two small kids and the thoughts of getting sick and leaving them is destroying me. Every niggle I go ito a spiral, on Google, Chat CPT etc.

I went to therapy and I thought I was doing ok, but its back and so much worse. I'm also on hrt for perimenopause past 6 months.

Please any advice


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 2d ago

Clinic and Specialist Recommendations Upper Blepharoplasty

0 Upvotes

Hello! I’m 32F and looking into getting an upper bleph. Could anyone recommend a specialist please?

Thank you


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 3d ago

Endometriosis Legal action for delayed referral/diagnosis?

4 Upvotes

I’m newly diagnosed thanks to the care and referral of a walk in clinic, and changed GP’s. I feel like my old GP dropped the ball entirely.

About 6 years ago I went to my GP complaining of heavy menstrual bleeding. I had the implanon in a year at that point nearly. I also had been diagnosed with hashimotos disease. I complained that my bleeding was lasting nearly 4 weeks at a time. I was brought in for a smear test and swabs which came back clear. I was put on Ovreena which gave me a tight tension type headache with no cessation or relief and really low mood. I was taken off them but the headaches stayed for a while longer. I was also complaining of fatigue with no improvement with my bloods done and thyroid meds changing. I intermittently suffered from low iron. I was told for the bleeding that was still there to come back if it gets bad, and was given sick certs and Ponstan. I believed that my pain and bleeding were to be expected from the Implanon and my thyroid as this is what the doctor told me so my visits became less frequent. Meanwhile I suffered from anxiety and low stress tolerance at work. I had also been told to stick with counselling or self refer. I also was referred for a sleep study which came back as simple snoring and was told to lose weight. I only became insistent on an endocrinology referral after I felt that I was getting nowhere. My endocrinologist confirmed my tiredness is not thyroid related. I asked again to be referred to a respiratory consultant and was sent to Galway for a sleep study, which came back with mild sleep apnea and I have a CPAP now.

I went to a walk in clinic last year for a sick cert for period pain, I was asked when my last scan was to which I said I didn’t have any. I was referred for an ultrasound which came back clear, was referred to a gynaecologist who sent me for an MRI which found adenomyosis. This corroborated with the heavy bleeding I had despite being on implanon and intermittent pain. I had a diagnostic laparoscopy this past month which found early stage endometriosis with bowel involvement, and confirmed adenomyosis. There was also an attempted HSG which was unsuccessful so I have to go back in a few months for that.

I now have the Mirena coil and am taking dienogest. My mental health is in the gutter and I keep crying intermittently and am still getting awful cramps and spotting but was told its gonna take about 3 months for both the coil and the side effects of the dienogest to settle.

I’m in my early 30’s and thankfully my husband and I don’t want children, but its still sad knowing even if we wanted to it might not happen.

I’m waiting on the histology report and report from my consultant before getting an updated copy of my medical records. I’ve been thinking of going to a solicitor for advice but I keep second guessing myself that I didn’t push back enough in my 20’s with my old doctor or that I didn’t go often enough. I would go in a few times a year at most for a little while and just accepted what they told me; that its to be expected because i had the implanon and had hypothyroidism.

Just looking for general advice whether a solicitor is worth pursuing?


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 4d ago

Fertility 2 Failed IVF cycles

7 Upvotes

Hi all,

I suppose I'm looking for hope. Im 36f and painter 42m. Ttc 2 years. I had endometriosis surgery a year ago. My amh is low at 3.6. We've done 2 ivf cycles. No eggs from First cycle and one egg from second. We made it to day 4 blastocyst but it was growing too slowly so no joy.

I'm coming to terms with knowing it's time to manage expectations for future rounds.

Any hope or advice would be really welcome.

Feeling all the feelings right now.


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 4d ago

Mental Health Support Severe PMDD - can anyone recommend a psychiatrist or specialist in Ireland? I’m at breaking point!!

18 Upvotes

I’m 33 and honestly I am just so exhausted with PMDD at this stage. I started my period when I was 11 and looking back I can see how bad things got when I started secondary school. So I’ve basically been dealing with this for 21 years!!

It’s affected every part of my life, work, my relationship, friendships, I’ve even lost friends over it because of how bad I get. I’m just so sick of it. I have been on sertraline since around 2013, currently on 75mg. I was on 100mg before but I felt wired on it!! I’ve tried different contraceptive pills over the years and none of them agreed with me. My GP suggested the coil but we’re currently going through fertility treatment so that’s not suitable, and tbh I was never comfortable with the idea of getting one anyway as I’m so sensitive to any hormones.

I take Castagnus daily and other supplements for the two weeks before my period including magnesium, B6, GLA, probiotics etc. I actually had a great first month on them but the last two months have been absolutely horrific!!

Today I’ve just hit breaking point. The past 10 days have been so bad, the mood dip is unbelievable. I get really bad suicidal ideation and honestly I don’t even recognise myself. I’m absolutely exhausted from feeling like this every single month!! I rang my GP today because I’m really not coping and the next appointment they could offer was Monday. I’ve genuinely been contemplating going to hospital because of how bad I feel, but then I keep thinking what’s the point when I know I’ll probably be grand once my period comes. It’s just the same cycle over and over again.

I have asked my GP for a referral for psychiatric support because I really feel I need it at this stage, but they just keep saying we need to get my sertraline dose right. I’ve been on them for 13 years!!! They’re clearly not working!! Surely there’s more that can be done than just upping my medication??

I also strongly suspect I have ADHD or AuDHD. There were concerns when I was younger and my parents were actually advised to get me assessed when I started secondary school because I struggled so badly. I never got assessed and even now I feel like there’s something else going on. I know ADHD and PMDD can overlap and I really want someone who understands both.

I have been looking into Dr Orla Conlon and Dr Mary Ryan but tbh I think I need a psychiatrist who actually specialises in PMDD.

Has anyone been through similar and actually found someone who helped?? I’m willing to travel anywhere in Ireland or even outside of Ireland at this stage.

I’m just so fed up. I feel like I’m losing half my life to PMDD and I have no control over it. I just want to feel normal and get on with my life.

Sorry for the post, I’m just having a really bad day and don’t know where else to turn. I’d really appreciate any recommendations, thanks so much ā¤ļø


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 4d ago

Endometriosis Recommendations for endo specialists in Dublin with reasonable wait times?

1 Upvotes

I don't have health insurance but am in the position to pay privately. Preferably ones with reasonable waiting lists. My gp told me public waiting list is 12+ months. Can't afford to go abroad tho

Basically the heading. My goal isn't surgery (if a dr suggests it ill consider but I don't want it if that makes sense). It's honestly just decent symptom control. Seen gynae publicly for 9 years and they always just put me on the pill. I've tried 6 different contraceptives, was first put on contraception at 12 for periods now im 22. Tbh any ot the pills I tried didn't work/I reacted to. I got the mirena coil a year ago out of desperation (my gp also told me no endo specialist would see me unless I tried it) and my life was amazing for 6 months!! But symptoms have come back and im stuck having to plan around my period again.

My gp is reluctant to perscribe the pill because I get migraines with aura, tried the combined pill once and it wasn't fun. Progesterone only - Works decent continuously but stops working after a few months for some reason and all I did that whole time was ball my eyes out. Every minor inconvenience had me balling my eyes out and I literally woke up anxious every single day. Gynae said mood sensitivity is extremely common. Id honestly be open to the pill again.

Potential superficial endo was detected on an mri last year. I honestly just need help with symptom control. Any decent recommendations in Dublin? Thank you!


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 5d ago

Endometriosis Endo/Adeno care options

2 Upvotes

I went abroad for endometriosis excision last year. I also got diagnosed with Adenomyosis when there. I didn't have a gynaecologist here beforehand. I got diagnosed via MRI from a GP referral.

My question is, for anyone in a similar situation, who do you go to for guidance on treatment options and management (non surgical)?

I am having a lot of symptoms and have just been doing my own research. I seem to have serious decision paralysis on what treatment to try as hormonal treatments have had very negative effects on my mental health in the past. I know I need to just try something though and most medication is weighing up the risks versus the reward. I feel like my GP listens to me, but ultimately he doesn't know enough about all this to be of any guidance.

I also have hypothyroidism/hashimoto's & chronic low ferritin. My mood and emotions are all over the place, to the extent that I suspect perimenopause. I'm 38F.


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 4d ago

Fertility Progesterone for reoccurring miscarriages

1 Upvotes

I have had 2 back to back early miscarriages in the last 4 months and I am looking to try progesterone and aspirin if I get pregnant again.

I have asked my GP but they seem under the impression that it doesn’t have an affect on pregnancies and won’t prescribe it.

I am wondering if it worked for anyone else who had a miscarriage and if so who was it prescribed by?


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 4d ago

Clinic and Specialist Recommendations Under eye vein removal

1 Upvotes

Hello!

I am 32 F and have some very prominent blue under-eye veins under both eyes (though the one under my left eye bulges a lot more) which I think ages me terribly.

I have tried all the concealers and nothing works. I’m not even sure how it can be fixed (if it even can?) by laser or fillers? Has anyone had this done? And could you recommend a provider? Thank you!


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 5d ago

General Discussion Considering weight loss injections but price is a concern and im young f 22 but my bmi is 48 , whats the cost and other issues

9 Upvotes

​

I'm young which is likely the only reason I don't have high blood pressure or high colestral or pre diabetes or just diabetes . I'm In my early 20s but that advantage won't last much longer. I want to lose 160 pounds . I'm extremely unfit and it has destroyed my life .

I have no shame in admitting I want the help or to cheat a little bit but the cost is problematic and the fears of being stuck on it forever . I don't want to stay on it ideally not more then a year but who knows I also absolutely don't trust that it won't cause other issues in long term users.

Any advice ir stories appreciated and will there be supply's shortages.


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 5d ago

Fertility C section scar niche (isthmocele) repair in Dublin?

1 Upvotes

Anybody had experience with c section scar defect repair and with anyone in Dublin? Have just been diagnosed with one and looking to find best specialist to review and treat? TIA


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 5d ago

General Health Gallbladder removal & recovery

2 Upvotes

I’m having my gallbladder removed in November. My consultant (well Professor) Professor Deborah McNamara recommended it as I have a good few stones which is resulting in my gallbladder functioning on reduced capacity.

I’m not worried about the surgery or anything, it’s Keyhole and will be staying in hospital overnight the day of the operation & home the next day.

Can anyone who has had the surgery tell me what recovery was like and if you were in much pain afterwards?

Ps Professor McNamara is really lovely so if you ever find yourself under her care you have nothing to worry about.


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 5d ago

Fertility Egg freezing in your 20s, anyone done it?

0 Upvotes

I’m only early 20s now but I’ve been wondering about my future fertility as I have endometriosis and pcos. I do know that many people do conceive with these conditions without ivf etc but also many people can’t. I was speaking to a family friend who is a gynae and she was saying how she would love for anyone in a career like mine (where it takes a number of years to get to a stage people have got to a stage in the career they feel comfortable starting to have their kids) to freeze their eggs because they’re at their best quality now, but obviously not everyone has the money. She doesn’t know my situation personally, it was just a general statement

I was wondering has anyone here frozen eggs around this age to save for the future? My understanding is it is around 5-7k and then you’ve to pay yearly freezing/storage. Obviously a big undertaking especially with cost of living etc but it’s been on my mind every now and then if it’s something to consider? Has anyone considered it and gone ahead or decided against?


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 6d ago

Advocacy & Awareness Update: Breast Density Reporting - Presentation at Leinster House Tomorrow (Tuesday 13th October)

53 Upvotes

A quick update on my post from a few weeks ago about Liveline’s discussion on breast density and the lack of awareness around it.

Tomorrow at 12pm, activist Siobhan Freeney will be presenting her petition of 10,000 signatures to Leinster House along with Lobular Ireland, calling for breast density reporting to be made mandatory for all Irish women. I’ve spoken alongside Siobhan in the DĆ”il before, telling my Mum’s story, and it means a lot to be able to support her and the other activists as she takes this next step.

People are gathering outside Leinster House from 10:30am until 12pm to show support. If you’re able to come along, even for a short while, it would mean so much. The more people who are there, the harder it is for this to be ignored.

If you can’t make it, you can still help. I started a petition of my own in my Mum’s memory, and I’d love to get it to 14,000 signatures before the presentation tomorrow to submit it alongside Siobhans one. Every signature shows the government how many women and families this affects. My Mum was only 61, with no family history and no reason to suspect anything was wrong, and she was told about her breast density at the same time she was told she had cancer. That information should never be withheld from any woman.

Our government needs to listen. They need to do better. And it’s not good enough that this is still happening to women and families across Ireland, when the information is there and we are just not being given access to it.

You can find the petition here, with more information on the issue as well: https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/mandate-breast-density-reporting-for-irish-women-now

Thank you to everyone who has signed, shared, and kept talking about this


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 7d ago

Rant ā€œFamilyā€ sharing your cancer diagnosis

56 Upvotes

I found out that my SIL (my partner’s brother’s girlfriend) shared my cancer diagnosis with many others very soon after she found out. Because we come from a small town the family and friends she told all know me and come in contact with me.
I initially asked it to be kept from her and her boyfriend, whilst the rest of his family knew. After some time I allowed the information to be shared for the sake of my partner.
I am a private person, and asked everyone for this diagnosis to be kept quiet. I am in my mid 20s (she is 32 I think) and receiving the cancer diagnosis that I did was deeply traumatic,and it was a life threatening situation - thankfully I am significantly healthier now!!
To think the darkest experience of my life was potentially used as gossip and social currency for her is so upsetting and I am finding it difficult to move forward.
Important to add that she never addressed the diagnosis with me personally and has never shared well wishes.
How can I move forward? I don’t want her to get away with her shitty behavior and want her to know how hurtful her actions were. I also don’t want my dislike of her to reflect badly against me in that family setting - so I wish to share the context with some members of my partners family. How to proceed?


r/IrishWomensHealth • • 6d ago

Clinic and Specialist Recommendations Dermatologist/trichlogist recommendations

3 Upvotes

I have lost about two thirds of my hair, I am trying to navigate how to solve it. I have been to the doctor with my resolve. Does any nice people have any recommendations please