0141 810 3151
The Scottish Vulval Clinic
The Scottish Vulval Clinic is dedicated to helping women with vulval complaints such as vulval pain or itching, caused by a variety of conditions including thrush and lichen sclerosus.
These complaints can interfere with day to day activities as well as affecting intimate relationships with a partner. It can be difficult to discuss this with a friend or even with your doctor.
The aim is to investigate and treat the cause of your symptoms. Even if there is no obvious cause for the symptoms we work with you to help you manage your symptoms so as to minimise, as much as possible, their impact on your quality of life.
The clinic benefits from the expertise of gynaecologist Dr Simone Vella, who has a special interest in vulval disorders. The clinic also has access to a physiotherapist with a special interest in pelvic complaints also working at Ross Hall Hospital.
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Consultant Gynaecologist
DR SIMONE VELLA MD(Malta), MRCOG
Dr Vella graduated from the University of Malta Medical School in 1995. She started postgraduate training in Obstetrics & Gynaecology in Malta, moving to Yorkshire in 1999, then Glasgow in 2003, where she completed her training.
She was appointed Senior Clinical University Teacher at the University of Glasgow, and Honorary Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Dr Vella took a career break and spent time with her young family in Australia for a year.
She returned to work in 2013 and worked as a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
She has a special interest in vulval skin disorders and ran a tertiary referral service for patients with vulval disorders which had been unresponsive to treatment.
She left the NHS in 2023 and now works exclusively in private practice.
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Services Offered
INVESTIGATIONS
SWAB TESTS
A SWAB TEST CHECKS FOR INFECTIONS WHICH MAY BE CAUSING YOUR COMPLAINT OR WHICH MAY BE MAKING YOUR CONDITION WORSE.
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VULVAL SKIN BIOPSY
SOMETIMES A BIOPSY, A SMALL SAMPLE OF SKIN, IS TAKEN FROM THE AFFECTED AREA AND SENT TO THE LABORATORY TO ALLOW A DIAGNOSIS TO BE MADE. THIS CAN BE DONE IN THE CLINIC AFTER THE APPLICATION OF LOCAL ANAESTHETIC TO THE BIOPSY SITE OR ALTERNATIVELY THIS CAN BE DONE UNDER A GENERAL ANAESTHETIC.
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These investigations are performed to help make a diagnosis and guide your treatment.
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TREATMENTS
MEDICATION
OFTEN THIS IS IN THE FORM OF OINTMENTS APPLIED DIRECTLY TO THE AFFECTED AREA. OINTMENTS ARE USED IN PREFERENCE TO CREAMS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT CONTAIN PRESERVATIVES; PRESERVATIVES CAN CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTIONS
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PHYSIOTHERAPY
DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES MAY BE USED TO HELP WHEN VULVAL PAIN MAKES INTERCOURSE DIFFICULT
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SURGERY
SOME VULVAL CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE NARROWING OF THE VULVA CAUSING DIFFICULTING WITH PASSING URINE OR WITH HAVING INTERCOURSE. SURGERY MAY HELP TO CORRECT THIS. REMOVAL OF PRE-CANCEROUS LESIONS MAY ALSO BE NECESSARY
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We will spend time going through the treatment options for your particular condition to ensure that your treatment is tailored to suit you.
TOP 7 HEALTH TIPS OF THE SEASON
1. Remember to use a soap substitute for your vulval hygiene. Water alone can make the skin feel dry.
2. Avoid adding salts or bubble baths to your bath. Try adding your emollient with a few drops of lavender oil instead. But be careful! This can make your bath slippery!
3. Apply a fragrance free emollient to the skin after bathing and reapply as necessary. Check with your doctor as to which is most suited to your skin.
4. Make sure you apply an emollient before using a swimming pool; the chemicals in the pool water can otherwise irritate your skin.
5. Avoid scented or coloured toilet paper
6. Use white cotton or silk underwear
7. Avoid biological washing powders as these may irritate your skin
Contact Us
Address:
Ross Hall Clinic Braehead
Kings Inch Pl
Renfrew
PA4 8WF
Email:
Phone:
0141 810 3151
Consultation Costs
FIRSTÂ CONSULTATION
£200
During your first consultation we will go through your history and perform an examination. We will discuss any investigations which may be necessary and a treatment plan.
Your first consultation will usually last around 30minutes.
EXTENDED CONSULTATION
£240
If you feel you need more time for your initial consultation please ask for an extended appointment; this will be for 45 minutes
SUBSEQUENT APPOINTMENTS
£130
At your initial appointment we will plan a return appointment so that we can discuss your response to treatment