FAQ

A gynaecologist is a doctor who specialises in women’s health. Specifically, they diagnose and treat disorders of the female reproductive tract, i.e. cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and vulva.

Gynaecologists and primary care doctors (i.e. general practitioners, GPs) specialize in different things. Your GP is where you should go for regular check-ups or if you are feeling unwell. When it comes to women's health, GPs are able to do some useful things, like prescribe contraceptive pills, perform cervical smears, or take vaginal swabs to check for STDs. However, GPs are expected to refer their patient onwards to a specialist when they recognise the limit of their knowledge or ability in a particular area. Gynaecologists are specialists trained specifically in women's health. They diagnose and treat issues related to the female reproductive tract, such as fibroids, endometriosis, polyps, ovarian cysts, vulval skin conditions and gynaecological cancers. They also perform a range of surgical procedures, such as hysteroscopies (looking inside the womb), insertion of IUDs, laparoscopies (key-hole surgery), removal of endometriosis, removal of ovarian cysts, removal of fibroids and hysterectomies.

Every New Zealand resident is entitled to access public healthcare. However, because of the sheer number of patients our healthcare system needs to accommodate on limited resources, some conditions, particularly elective procedures, may require you to go on a waiting list for a long time before a specialist is able to see you. The benefit of private gynaecological care is that there are no waiting lists. At Auckland Women's Gynaecology, we can see you promptly on our next scheduled clinic day, and have no unnecessary delays when it comes to giving you the specialist treatment you require.

Gynaecology deals with the medical care of women’s health issues, while obstetrics is related to care during pregnancy, childbirth, and immediately post-delivery. An obstetrician performs the delivery of babies via vaginal birth and caesarean section. A gynaecologist treats issues related to reproductive organs like vaginal or uterine infections, infertility issues, removing cysts and fibroids, treating gynaecological cancers, repairing injuries in pelvic organs, and more.

Initial 45min appointments with one of our consultant gynaecologists are $335, while follow-up appointments are $220. Additional fees may apply, depending on the tests and treatments you and the specialist agree are best for you. For example, a procedure that requires anaesthetic will cost more than a non-invasive intervention. During your consultation, your doctor will be able to outline all of the options and explain the different costs, depending on what you would like to do. Ultimately, all decisions are made collaboratively, and you have total control over what happens next.

There is no special preparation that you need to do for your appointment; just come along and let us know what concerns you are having. It is normal to feel nervous about your first visit. Please know that no questions or topics are off limits, and you should feel free to speak frankly about any of your symptoms or worries. We are all women, and we have seen it all. If you wish to bring a support person, you may of course do so.

If it your first time seeing us, the initial appointment will last around 45 minutes. Follow up appointments are around 30 minutes.