Menopause

Womens Health

At Riverside Medical Centre, we are committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and evidence-based healthcare for women at every stage of life. From adolescence through the reproductive years, pregnancy, menopause, and beyond, we aim to support women’s physical, emotional, and preventative healthcare needs in a welcoming and confidential environment.

Dr. Aisling O’Shea has a special interest in women’s health and has completed a Diploma in Obstetrics and Women’s Health through the Irish College of General Practitioners. All of our doctors provide a broad range of women’s health services tailored to individual needs and stages of life.

Contraception & Family Planning

We provide confidential contraception counselling and family planning services, helping women choose the most appropriate and effective contraceptive option for their lifestyle, preferences, and medical needs.

Women aged 17–35 years may be eligible for the HSE Free Contraception Scheme. This includes consultations for contraceptive advice and prescribing, as well as coverage for long-acting reversible contraception, including coils and contraceptive implants.

Contraceptive Services Include

• Combined oral contraceptive pill

• Progesterone-only pill

• Contraceptive patch and vaginal ring

• Contraceptive injection

• Emergency contraception

• Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), including:

  • Mirena

  • Kyleena

  • Jaydess

• Copper coils, including:

  • T-Safe Copper Coil

  • Yanae Cu 380 IUD

We understand that contraceptive needs may change over time, and we offer personalised consultations to review treatment options, manage side effects, and support informed decision-making.

Pregnancy Planning & Fertility Care

We offer pre-pregnancy consultations for women planning a pregnancy or seeking advice regarding fertility and reproductive health. These consultations focus on optimising health prior to conception and identifying any medical or lifestyle factors that may affect fertility or pregnancy outcomes.

Areas Covered Include

• Pre-pregnancy health assessment

• Folic acid and nutritional advice

• Medication review

• Fertility advice and initial investigations

• Menstrual cycle assessment

• Assessment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

• Referral to specialist fertility services where appropriate

Pregnancy & Postnatal Care

All of our doctors provide antenatal and postnatal care under the HSE Mother and Child Scheme. We aim to support women throughout pregnancy with continuity of care, regular monitoring, and compassionate support.

Services Include

• Antenatal care under the HSE Mother and Child Scheme

• Six free antenatal visits

• Two-week and six-week postnatal checks for mother and baby

• Monitoring of maternal physical and mental wellbeing

• Breastfeeding and postnatal support

• Referral to maternity and specialist services where indicated

Menopause Care

Perimenopause and menopause can affect women in many different ways, both physically and emotionally. We provide evidence-based menopause care tailored to each woman’s symptoms, medical history, and personal preferences.

Menopause Services Include

• Assessment and management of perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) counselling and prescribing

• Review and monitoring of ongoing HRT treatment

• Bone health and osteoporosis risk assessment

• Cardiovascular risk assessment

• Lifestyle, sleep, and mental wellbeing support

We aim to help women navigate this stage of life with clear information, supportive care, and personalised treatment plans.

Cervical Screening & Breast Health

Cervical Screening

We provide CervicalCheck smear testing and cervical screening for eligible women aged 25–60 years. Cervical screening is provided free of charge for eligible patients through the national screening programme.

Private smear testing can also be arranged if required.

Breast Health

We encourage regular self-breast examination and early assessment of any breast concerns. All of our doctors provide breast examinations and can arrange referral for further investigation where clinically indicated.

Sexual Health & STI Screening

All of our doctors provide confidential sexual health advice, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, and testing.

Dr. Aisling O’Shea previously worked in the STI Clinic at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin and has completed the Sexually Transmitted Infection Foundation (STIF) course.

Weight Management & Lifestyle Medicine

Pregnancy, menopause, and hormonal changes can contribute to weight gain and metabolic health concerns. Dr. Aisling O’Shea is currently undertaking a Master’s degree in Obesity, while Dr. Eoin Ryan is completing training in lifestyle medicine.

Both doctors have a strong interest in evidence-based weight management and are available to discuss lifestyle interventions, behavioural strategies, and medical treatment options where appropriate, including GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies.

Evidence-based menopause care including symptom assessment, HRT management, lifestyle medicine, and long-term preventive health support.