Your Annual Gynaecological Check-up in London: Getting the Same Standard of Care You Had in France

In France, the annual visit to your gynaecologist is a ritual. It begins in adolescence and continues throughout your life — a regular, unhurried consultation during which your specialist reviews your contraception, performs a clinical examination, discusses any new symptoms, and orders screening tests as appropriate. It is preventive medicine at its most personal. And for most French women who move to London, it is one of the first things they realise they have lost.

The UK does not have an equivalent tradition. There is no routine annual gynaecological examination on the NHS. There is no single specialist who follows your reproductive health year after year. The system works differently — and while it has genuine strengths, the absence of this structured, preventive approach leaves many women feeling adrift. I hear this concern in my clinic constantly, and I want to explain what is available, what the differences actually are, and how you can access the standard of care you are used to.

What the NHS offers — and where it stops

The UK has structured national screening programmes, and they are evidence-based and effective. But they are not the same as the comprehensive annual review French women expect.

Cervical screening in England is now offered every five years for women aged 25 to 64, following the roll-out of HPV-primary testing. Until mid-2025, the interval was every three years for women under 50, but since the programme moved fully to HPV-first screening — meaning the sample is first tested for high-risk strains of human papillomavirus, and cytology is only performed if HPV is detected. This is a sound approach supported by strong evidence. In France, the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) now also recommends HPV-primary testing from age 30, with cytology-based screening (the traditional frottis) between ages 25 and 29.

The key difference is not the test itself but the context in which it happens. In France, your smear was part of a broader consultation with your gynaecologist — an appointment that also included a breast examination, a pelvic examination, a discussion about your cycle and your contraception, and often an ultrasound. In the UK, your smear is performed by a practice nurse in a five-minute appointment. There is no examination, no broader discussion, and no specialist oversight unless something abnormal is found.

Breast screening in the NHS consists of mammography offered every three years to women aged 50 to 70. There is no routine clinical breast examination by a specialist. In France, clinical breast examination by your gynaecologist is part of the annual visit, and the national mammography programme invites women every two years from age 50. Many French gynaecologists also discuss breast self-examination and palpation at each visit, particularly for women with a family history.

Beyond cervical and breast screening, the NHS does not routinely offer annual pelvic examinations, hormonal assessments, or proactive contraception reviews. These are available if you request them from your GP, but they are not part of a structured, specialist-led programme.

Why the annual visit matters: the case for preventive gynaecology

The French model of annual gynaecological visits is not simply a cultural habit. It serves a genuine clinical purpose. Regular, specialist-led reviews allow for:

• Early detection of conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, and ovarian cysts — often before they cause significant symptoms
• Proactive contraception management — reviewing whether your current method is still appropriate, discussing side effects, and adjusting as your life circumstances change
• Breast health monitoring — clinical examination can detect changes that fall between mammography intervals
• Hormonal health assessment — identifying the early signs of perimenopause, thyroid dysfunction, or hormonal imbalance before they significantly affect quality of life
• Continuity of care — a specialist who knows your history can identify subtle changes over time that a one-off consultation would miss

This is not about performing unnecessary tests. It is about having a regular, structured conversation with a specialist who understands your body, your history, and your concerns — and who can act early when something changes. This is the principle that underpins the French approach, and it is the standard I maintain in my own practice.

What my well-woman check-up includes

When a patient comes to me for an annual review — whether she is French, British, or from anywhere else — I approach the consultation with the thoroughness that preventive gynaecology demands. A typical well-woman check-up in my practice includes:

A comprehensive history. I review your menstrual cycles, contraception, any symptoms you have noticed since your last visit, changes in mood, energy, libido, or sleep, and any relevant family history updates. This conversation alone often reveals concerns that a woman might not have thought to raise with her GP.

A clinical examination. Depending on your age and history, this may include a pelvic examination and a breast examination. These are never performed without your consent and full explanation of what I am doing and why.

A cervical smear test if you are due for one — or if you prefer to have it done during a specialist consultation rather than with a practice nurse.

A gynaecological ultrasound if clinically indicated — for example, if you report heavy or irregular periods, pelvic pain, or if I want to assess the uterus and ovaries as part of a baseline evaluation.

A contraception review. If you are using hormonal contraception, I will discuss whether it remains the best option for you, particularly in light of any changes in your health, lifestyle, or family planning intentions.

STI screening discussion and blood tests if appropriate, including hormonal profiles, thyroid function, or iron studies where relevant.

The consultation typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes. It is not rushed. And it is designed to give you the same level of oversight you would expect from your gynaecologist in France.

Building a long-term relationship with your gynaecologist

One of the things French women value most about their medical culture is the continuity of their relationship with a single gynaecologist. You see the same person year after year. She knows your baseline. She remembers the fibroid she identified three years ago, the contraception change you made last year, the family history of breast cancer that requires ongoing vigilance. This longitudinal knowledge is clinically valuable — it allows patterns to be recognised, trends to be monitored, and problems to be caught early.

The UK system, by contrast, tends towards episodic care. You see your GP for one concern, a hospital gynaecologist for another, a nurse for your smear. There is rarely a single clinician who holds the complete picture of your gynaecological health over time.

A private gynaecologist can fill this gap. When you see the same consultant annually, she builds a comprehensive understanding of your health that no single GP appointment can replicate. This is not a criticism of GPs — it is simply a recognition that continuity of specialist care has a specific and important role in women’s health.

You do not need a referral

A point that many women — French and British alike — do not realise: you do not need your GP’s permission to book a private gynaecological check-up. You can contact a private clinic directly, choose a time that suits you, and be seen within days. No referral letter, no waiting list, no gatekeeping.

If you have private health insurance, an annual well-woman check-up may be covered under your policy. French insurers such as April International and the CFE, as well as UK providers including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Cigna, and Vitality, commonly cover specialist consultations. It is always worth checking your specific plan before booking.