Private Bladder & Prolapse Care
Consultant-led
Chelsea Clinic

A urogynaecologist is a consultant gynaecologist with specialist training in the bladder, the pelvic floor and the support of the pelvic organs. They diagnose and treat urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, recurrent urine infections, bowel control problems and pelvic floor damage after childbirth. Treatment ranges from physiotherapy, pessaries and medication through to surgery where it is needed.

No. You can book directly as a self-pay patient without a GP letter or referral. If your insurer requires a referral for pre-authorisation, our reception team can help you arrange that before your appointment.

Your consultant will take a full history covering your bladder, bowel and pelvic symptoms, your births and any previous surgery. With your consent there is a gentle pelvic examination to grade any prolapse and assess pelvic floor strength, and a urine sample is tested. A pelvic ultrasound is often carried out at the same visit. You will usually leave with a diagnosis and a treatment plan on the day.

In most cases, yes. Supervised pelvic floor muscle training is the recommended first treatment for stress incontinence and helps a large proportion of women. For urgency and frequency, bladder retraining and medication are usually tried first. Vaginal oestrogen can help considerably after the menopause. Surgery is only considered when these options have been given a proper trial.

A pessary is a small, soft, flexible device fitted inside the vagina to support a prolapse. Fitting is done in clinic and should not be painful, though it can feel odd for a moment. Once the right size and type are in place you should not feel it at all. Many women use a pessary for years and avoid surgery entirely. It is checked and changed at routine appointments.

A prolapse is not usually dangerous, but it can be uncomfortable and can affect your bladder, bowel, exercise and sex life. It is graded by how far the organ has descended. Mild prolapse often improves with pelvic floor physiotherapy and lifestyle changes. More advanced prolapse may need a pessary or surgery. Getting it assessed early gives you more options, so it is worth having it looked at rather than waiting.

Recurrent urine infections, usually defined as two or more in six months or three or more in a year, often have an underlying cause. Incomplete bladder emptying, prolapse, thinning of the tissues after the menopause or an ongoing low-grade infection can all be responsible. A urogynaecology assessment looks for the cause rather than treating each infection separately, and builds a prevention plan around what is found.

They are common after childbirth and around the menopause, but common is not the same as normal or untreatable. Leaking, urgency and prolapse all respond well to treatment at any age. Many women manage symptoms quietly for years before seeking help and are surprised at how much can be done in a short space of time.

Most patients are offered an appointment within 48 hours of getting in touch. No GP referral is needed. You can book directly by phone, email or by completing the form below.

An initial consultation with a consultant is £300. A consultation combined with a specialist pelvic ultrasound, which is the most comprehensive first visit option, is £475. Follow-up appointments are £260 and fitting a vaginal support pessary is £856. Urodynamic studies and surgical fees are quoted individually after your consultation. All major health insurers are accepted.