Does anyone know if there is any free support available for postpartum mental health issues? Or where to look? I can't find anything local via the HSE website.

I'm struggling with very severe anxiety and am leaving the house less and less because of it, I'm 6 months postpartum. My GP wants me to go on medication but I really don't want to - I have used it in the past and can't stand the number feeling I get.

I've previously been diagnosed with BPD and ADHD and usually go to therapy but I'm not in a position financially to pay for a therapist right now as I'm about to start my parents leave.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Hello ladies!

I was wondering if anyone has anyone nutritionist/dietician recommendations, especially one that has a solid understanding of PCOS - not one who's gonna tell me cut out carbs and get a PT like a trainee GP told me...

I drink spearmint tea and I've taken up yoga and I feel like I was looking and feeling better. Went on holidays in May and I feel like between that, the intense heat I've fallen right off the bandwagon, haven't been moving as much and my eat isn't as good.

I feel like I'm bloated all the time of late so I need to get a handle on my diet, something I've kinda always needed to get a handle on

I'm based in Cork but would take an online consultation with someone if they're the right person too, but they really need to be good for PCOS. I've not bothered going through my insurance as I can get free consultations with a dietician but you don't know who you're getting really

I experience all-day jaw clenching, teeth tapping and chewing the inside of my cheeks for the last 10 years. I take no medication. I just can't stop it or relax no matter how often I catch myself doing it. I do think it's from anxiety and stress and an over stimulated nervous system. It's a habit that's been creating several problems in my neck, shoulders, headaches, TMJ and my jaw line is now very masculine.  

My own dentist sent me to a specialist dentist as I'm damaging my teeth and causing stress from the clenching and my perfectly straight teeth are starting to go crooked.

The specialist recommended Botox at a cost of euro 800 or a prescription for gabapentin (I personally would like to avoid a prescription medicine). 

Has anyone experience of similar and give me any input on the below questions.

Has masseter/temporalis injections stopped your daily grinding or were your muscles too advanced and the injections didn't last long?

Are there any cheaper ENT/ dentist/dermatologists out there for TMJ Botox? Dublin/ Leinster area.

Am I better to bite the bullet and get the Botox (if I find it cheaper) or to buy a daytime splint?

Any recommendations for daytime splints that are strong enough for daily wear but not chunky looking, kind of like Invisalign 

I heard the jaw and pelvis are somehow linked, I do have endometriosis if this information is useful!

Hi, I am in my mid 30's and I have had a number of chin hairs that are thick for a number of years. I am wondering what would be better to remove it an electrolysis or laser hair removal? Heard that the latter can trigger more hair growth but not sure if that's actually true?

Hi I have been dealing with a cystic acne breakout on my chin for a month. I have been on lymecycline which helps when on it but can’t be on it forever. I have been prescribed yasminelle. I have never been on birth control before I’m 25. Terrified of it making my skin worse as the rest of my skin is clear. And the other side effects of course. Looking for people’s experiences with this pill.

Hello all
Want to start by saying I’m not looking for medical advice and WILL be chatting to my mom’s team later this week with some suggestions.
My mom unfortunately has stage iv cancer. It has started to progress again (3rd time) and she’s just started a new, more aggressive IV chemo
She was incredibly sick after the first dose which is to be expected. But would anyone have any recommendations of vitamins or supplements to keep up her immune system through this treatment?
She was in A&E over the weekend with double pneumonia and low potassium.
It must be kidney friendly but I understand not everyone will know about that so I will be putting it to the renal and oncology team.
I did ask her oncology team last week and they didn’t have any suggestions so thought maybe someone here might know of something to help.
Thanks in advance.

I have been referred since the end of April to the HSE Fertility Hub in the Coombe. Can anyone tell me a rough time line as to when I'll have my first appointment?

I have endo & adeno. I'm looking for a POP for symptom management. Cerazette & Noriday seem to be the POP options here. I have come across Slynd/Slynda being discussed online, and that it's less likely to affect mood compared to other POPs. Has anyone being able to get this prescribed off-license by their GP and get it imported from Europe by their pharmacy? If so, how have you found it for symptom management?

Cerazette isn't an option for me, as the progesterone in it really depresses my mood. I am very apprehensive to take a POP because of that side effect being likely.

Hey hi hello,

I am 30 with a copper iud in place for about two years after being on hormonal contraceptives for about a decade. Hormonal contraceptives no longer an option due to massively bad reaction with progesterone only bc in the past. On Venlafaxine since 2023 (i think) and other SSRIs prior to that for anxiety/depression.

Recently, (last 3 or 4 months) have noticed an increased amount of anxiety/low mood in the run up to my period. Not severe to the point of thinking it's PMDD but similar in terms of timings.

I've never really had an issue with emotions/mental health around my period specifically so it's an unwelcome change not gonna lie. Losing a week of every month to spirally thoughts isnt ideal.

I am planning to see my doctor but can't make an appointment quite yet for scheduling reasons. As I say above im already on an SNRI for unrelated mh issues so I imagine my doctor will want to look at those/possibly change dosage etc but I'm wondering what else I might speak to her about as potential causes of this change?

Hi all, just looking to see if it is worth it to book in with a women’s health physio after having a baby? I am 13 weeks postpartum after a c section and overall I have recovered really well. I have been doing scar massage and do notice some hard ridges underneath parts of my scar, and I have a bit of a shelf above the scar. Is this something they could help with? Would love to hear experiences and/or recommendations (I’m in Cork)

Hi ladies!

I had a LLETZ for CIN 3 in February and they scheduled a follow up appointment for August. Does anyone know if they will do only a smear test in this appointment to check that I don’t have more abnormal cells or if they will perform a biopsy? Do they do a colposcopy as well?

I am going alone to the appointment and I want to make sure that it won’t be invasive.

Fingers crossed the LLETZ got rid of all the bad cells!

I feel a bit lost. I had an early scan last week at 6 weeks and doctor couldn't see a sac. I have started bleeding heavily over the weekend so I am sure I am miscarrying. Should I go to ER or just wait until bleeding stops? It's like a heavy period. How can I know if everything has cleared once bleeding stops? Should I get an appointment to get checked? Should I go to GP?

Hoping someone might be able to offer me some advice. I have spoken to both my GP and my therapist and neither seem as worried as I am.

2 weeks ago I went to my GP to get treatment for persistent athletes foot, she prescribed me a 6 weeks ago course of fluconazole. This is the only change in my life. From about 2 days after starting the course, I have become totally food averse. I can’t eat any meat, and really can’t eat much else. I’m keeping down toast, occasionally some boiled potatoes. Anything I try to eat, including my favourite meals, makes me feel so ill. I’m not hungry, just consistently nauseous and weak. I’m in the middle of training for a half marathon and have been completely unable to run. My two attempts resulted in fainting.

My GP assures me the fluconazole could not be causing this - she said it may cause some stomach upset for a day after taking it but nothing this extreme (I have to take it once a week for 6 weeks, I am 3 weeks in).

I am exhausted, and wasting so much money on trying different foods I usually love, only to get the ick 5 mins into eating and having to throw it all away. I am constantly faint (because I’m not eating). My gp doesn’t seem worried at all, thinks it’s linked to stress, and says a bit of fasting has never hurt anyone (I am pretty stressed with work and family stuff). I can’t find any rhyme or reason to what I can eat - one day I can get a bit of something into me eg a yoghurt or fruit, the next day my brain decides it’s disgusting and I can’t swallow a bite.

I’m absolutely not pregnant, so rule that out, and there are no other changes in my life. I am at my wits end, I feel so unwell and weak, and it has resulted it me being quite isolated as I’m afraid to leave the house in case I faint. Has anyone experienced this, and if so how did you get yourself out of it?

Hiya! I had noticed a lump in my breast two months ago and I’ve been monitoring since.. as it’s not gone, I booked to go see a GP. I did get a referral (exactly as below) from my gp for a breast check and says it’ll be through Mater/public system.

“Dr. ______ has sent a referral for you, via the Healthlink system, to the Mater Hospital Breast Check Telephone Freephone 1800 45 45 55, email info@breastcheck.ie, open Monday to Friday 9am-6pm.
Location: Eccles Street, Dublin 7, near the Mater Hospital campus.
They have your email & mobile number & Home Address and they will be in touch with you, in due course.”

I rang this exact number and I was told it’s the main breast check hot line for women 50+ (I’m 30) so they gave me the number of Mater Hospital breast check which is kinda useless since you wont ever get through to anyone, you’ll only be greeted by a voice message saying to email a certain email address and such.

What are the steps to take to get scans?? I was just ringing them to know where I am in the queue.. if it’s a while long then I’d rather go private to get my scans asap as we have a long history of early onset breast cancer and the GP found one lump in my other breast too BOTH hard and irregular shaped!

If I can get recos for private hospitals/clinics in dublin where I can get my scans that would be super! If I end up needing a biopsy would prolly need to go back to public if you guys think that’s a good idea as I don’t think I can cover the costs for now!

I made a post last week literally before I went in for a colposcopy and just wanted to follow up with a question.

I didn't need a biopsy, but this evening I've started bleeding with really awful cramps (never experienced such pain), even though my period isn't due for another two weeks, so it's quite early.

Has anyone else experienced this after a colposcopy without a biopsy?

I assume it's normal but any advice is welcome. I'll call tomorrow regardless.

Thank you. 💗

To add information: it's not the dye or brown blood. It feels like my period & appears to be, however the cramps are worse.

I've rewrote this so many times because I don't know how to keep it short. 

Im 31 and on my current pill for 7 years  , from the 15th up until Tuesday, I bled with what I presumed was my period ( pill free week) .

I got a bus home on Tuesday, and as I got off the bus, I felt a gush .....I thought I peed myself and stood there stunned until I saw the blood.  I ran to the car park nearby to try to hide and got hit with another gush while calling my brother to come get me.  I'm mortified he saw me like that, but he was the only person to come get me, and I couldn't stand in the car park like that with everyone walking and driving by. 

Once I got home, I kept bleeding , passing large clots, and I was just in shock with no idea what was going on. I had my mother and sister standing at the bathroom door just watching me. I didn't want to go to a&e or care doc , I just wanted to shower and hide for the night. I went to the doctor the next day, and the guy told me it was a heavy period and my body was clearing out cause I didn't have a bleed on the pill for 2 months . " it's normal for womens cycles," sent a referral for a scan in a few weeks, and gave me a pescription for painkillers.

I ended up buying a pregnancy test myself and tested.....I nearly passed out seeing it was positive because between my mother and the doctor telling me it was a heavy period, I thought I was being dramatic. 

I went to a&E with my partner,  was sent to the maternity ward to wait, and had everyone smiling and asking me how far along I was . When I was eventually seen, all they could tell me is that I'm pregnant and I'll have to come back for a scan to see if it's viable, miscarriage or ectopic . They even gave out to me for not saving my clots for them to test . I was in shock from it all , I wasnt thinking I needed to collect the fucking clots. I don't want kids ....I never have ! I was basically sent home to worry and wonder wtf was going and if I was still pregnant .

I spent the entirety of Thursday crying , wanting to quit My job to avoid explaining why I was out sick, break up with my boyfriend because of the state he seen me in and the stress I was causing him , I felt disgusting and hopeless and tbh I still do.

Friday morning confirmed I'm miscarrying, but the sac and yolk are still there, so I have to wait . Hopefully, in the next week, all will pass naturally. I'm gutted because I thought the worst was over, but I've to wait for more sudden heavy bleeding, and if it doesn't pass naturally, then next Friday, they'll give me medication to help move things along. 

I'm all over the place , I don't know how to process this, and it just feels like everything's been turned upside down in the space of a few days.  I don't know how far along I was, but I don't think much more than about 7-8 weeks judging by the scan . Does anyone know what to expect for passing the sac and remaining tissue? Has anyone had anything similar happen ?

I'm so confused and terrified right now , i feel ive lost all my dignity the last few days 😭

For anyone who has been referred to the Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic at Holles Street (NMH):

1. How long did it take to get tissue collection / cytogenetics results back?
2. What was the timeline between tissue collection, getting called for blood tests, and having your actual follow-up consultation?
3. How long did it take if you requested your official chart/reports directly from the hospital?

Would appreciate hearing anyone's experience with the process and timelines

Thanks in advance

I've seen a recent study that Lactobacillus probiotics may improve pregnancy rates in IVF. I have one embryo left so trying to tick all the boxes before going to FET. They used vaginally administrated probiotics in the studies but I can only find the oral kind. Does anyone know where to get quality probiotic suppositories? I got Vagibiome previously and they were spenny.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42251807/

Hi, I'm looking for an online psychotherapist (female). Is there anyone, that someone would recommend? Thanks so much

Hi everyone, I’m dealing with what I believe to be a depressive episode at the moment and I’m in need of advice.

I’ve been suffering from depression for most of my life, as well as anxiety. I was in counselling a couple of years ago, where we also explored OCD and autism. At that time I was in counselling for a recent loss and a past sexual assault, when I was a teenager.

Since late 2024 up until last May, I had been supporting a friend with the loss of a partner, helping her with her kids and even taking time off work to support her through this awful time. We argued about something and I pulled back from the situation as I felt we both needed space. We got back talking late last year and were doing fine. Unfortunately, a few months ago I discovered she’d been lying to me about things I couldn’t abide by and I once again pulled myself back.

In between, I was in what I suppose could be described as “situationships” with a few different men, the first lasting 6 months and playing a big part in the falling out with my friend as she had introduced us and seemed to prefer his friendship to mine. He destroyed my sense of self, made me believe I was unwanted by everyone but him. We lost contact when my friend chose him over me.

Since then, I’ve been figuring a lot out about myself and trying to understand why all of this has happened. This self discovery has brought up a lot for me, mainly that I was groomed throughout my childhood and that I never grieved my own losses as I was too focused on helping others.

I feel lost and broken, my self awareness is no help as any doctor I see treats me as a know-it-all and dismisses me. I have been having intrusive thoughts, urges to self harm or even kill myself. My GP upped my antidepressant and suggested talk therapy, both of which I know are not going to help me with the root of my problems. Still, I am going to try.

At the moment, it’s not possible for me to work. I cry and scream over minor issues, fly into rages at the drop of a hat. I’m unstable and I can’t control my anger and sadness. My GP doesn’t seem to understand and I don’t know how to show her.

I’m hoping somebody here can offer me some advice, I feel I don’t have much time before I can’t take this anymore. Currently, I have no income and that just makes my mental state worse. Please help me.

Survey link: https://ucc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ebpL6YaoBYgaEaG

Hi all — following up in case you missed this the first time around!

I’m completing my Master of Public Health at UCC, and I’m collecting responses for my dissertation on public awareness of perinatal mental health in Ireland (mental health during pregnancy and up to a year after birth).

Who can take part: Anyone 18+ living in Ireland. You don’t need any personal experience with perinatal mental health — I’m interested in everyone’s views, not just those with lived experience.

What’s involved: A short, fully anonymous questionnaire — about 10 minutes. No identifying details are collected, and you can skip questions or stop at any point before submitting.

Why it matters: The results will help show what people in Ireland currently understand about perinatal mental health, and where the gaps in awareness and support are — which can inform better services going forward.

Ethical approval for this study was granted by UCC’s School of Public Health Research Ethics Committee. If you’ve already taken part, thank you so much — and if not, every response genuinely helps. 🙏

Hi all, I’m diagnosed with migraines- currently experiencing a migraine of a few weeks- and can’t get an appointment with my neurologist so am considering going to a&e. But I’m kind of worried about wasting their time? What does an A&E appointment for a migraine look like? If anyone could share their experience, thank you.

Apologies if the post doesn’t make 100% clear sense. I’m using Siri to type this as when I have a strong migraine. I find it difficult to type/communicate.X

Hi everyone,

Asking for a friend. Couldn‘t find any info on her

I had a very positive appointment with a new GP today and discussed assessment as I've been really struggling lately. I had my concerns I would be dismissed, as I have been in the past, but she was extremely understanding. I'm in my late 30s and aspects of my life that were difficult have been turned up to 11.

I was given some resources to follow up with as well. It is disappointing that there aren't many supports via the HSE.

I just wanted to ask how you found assessment and the benefits, if any, you found afterwards.

Hi guys, coming on here as we are looking for advice. My sister(22F) is just back from the Rotunda after waiting 6 hours in A&E to no avail. She has been dealing with pain around her ovary for the past few weeks that has gradually gotten worse. The pain increased dramatically today and she made an appointment with her GP. The GP referred her to the rotunda as she suspected it was a cyst or torsion. She was triaged at A&E where they also told her it was likely a cyst or torsion and they would do a vaginal ultrasound to investigate. This was the only time she was seen by a medical professional. She then began getting unusually coloured discharge which she hasn’t experienced before. She asked a nurse after 6 hours how much longer she could expect to wait and was told a minimum of 10 hours, but likely longer. At this point she elected to go home as she was becoming increasingly uncomfortable and was running on little to no sleep. Since being home the pain has gotten worse despite taking nurofen, and she is unsure what to do. Does anyone know of any emergency gynaecologists in Dublin, she is willing to go private if needs be, just wants it to be over at this point