Annual gynecological exams are essential for every woman. However, there are certain health issues that require additional medical attention. It is important to understand that many gynecological disorders can cause severe complications if left untreated. In this article, we have gathered eight weighty reasons to visit a gynecologist.
1. You have severe periods
Pain during periods, also known as dysmenorrhea, is a quite common issue that affects many women. If the pain is mild and doesn’t interfere with your daily activities, there is no reason to worry. But some women can experience so debilitating pain that they can’t go to school or work. In this case, it is essential to define the exact cause of dysmenorrhea and undergo treatment.
2. You experience pain during sex
Sex should be pleasant, not painful. Many women experience pain during sex due to uncomfortable poses or insufficient lubrication. However, there are a lot of health issues (like endometriosis, vaginal dryness, pelvic inflammatory disease, cervicitis, uterine fibroids, cervical cancer, etc.) that can also result in severe pain during sex
3. You have abnormal vaginal discharge
Abnormal vaginal discharge often manifests the presence of a certain infection. The most common of them include yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections, and pelvic inflammatory disease. However, cervicitis and cervical cancer can also change your discharge. Moreover, ф retained tampon or condom can also lead to an unpleasant smell and abnormal discharge.
4. You have had unprotected sex
Many people forget that there are other outcomes of unprotected sex besides pregnancy. There are a lot of infections and viruses that can be passed from an infected person. You should also know that many sexually transmitted infections can develop asymptomatically so you may not know that your partner is already infected. Using condoms and getting tested for STDs can help prevent the development of severe complications.
5. You have missed periods
There is a common misconception that missed periods always mean pregnancy. Unfortunately, there are certain health issues and other factors that can affect your menstrual cycle. For example, if you have polycystic ovary syndrome, it can interfere with ovulation so the egg doesn’t develop and can’t be released. The absence of ovulation doesn’t let the endometrium grow and shed. That’s why it is better to undergo a gynecological check-up to define the cause of your missed periods.
6. You have problems with getting pregnant
Infertility is a condition in which a woman can’t get pregnant during a year of practicing unprotected sex with a male partner. You should understand that both men and women can be infertile so you and your partner should be checked for infertility. Female infertility can be caused by endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, cervical stenosis, and many other conditions. Fortunately, modern medicine provides a wide range of treatment options for infertility
7. You experience spotting
Spotting is light vaginal bleeding that occurs between periods. Mild spotting that occasionally occurs during ovulation can be deemed normal. But if you experience spotting after sex or it occurs on a regular basis, it is better to contact a gynecologist. This is because spotting can be a symptom of sexually transmitted infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids and polyps, cervical cancer, and many other conditions that require timely and accurate treatment.
8. You experience pelvic pain
Pelvic pain that is not related to periods and ovulation can also be a sign of various gynecological disorders. For example, endometriosis can cause pelvic pain since it makes the endometrial tissue grow on pelvic organs. Women with pelvic inflammatory disease can also experience pelvic pain due to inflammation and the development of scars and adhesions.
