Even though regular check-ups at your gynecologist are essential, many women tend to skip them. Moreover, some women don’t visit a doctor even when they experience pain or other gynecological symptoms that can indicate serious disorders.
Unfortunately, neglecting your health can lead to severe complications that are easily preventable. That’s why it’s better to make regular appointments with your doctor. In this article, we have compiled a list of seven alarming signs that you should visit a gynecologist right now
1. Pelvic pain
Pelvic pain tends to be one of the most common symptoms of gynecological conditions. It can occur before and during periods, while you’re ovulating, or it can be a symptom of other unrelated health issues. Conditions like endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cyst, ovarian torsion, and many other can contribute to the development of pelvic pain. If you experience pain or discomfort in your pelvic area, you should visit a gynecologist to find the exact cause of your pain.
2. Irregular or missing periods
There are a lot of factors that can make your periods late or even disappear. The most common are significant weight changes, stress, hormonal contraception, as well as hormonal imbalance. If your periods are late or missing due to hormonal imbalance, you can undergo treatment that will normalize your menstrual cycle.
3. Painful periods
Pain that occurs during your menstrual cycle is called dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is a naturally-occurring mild pain during periods that can be managed with the help of over-the-counter painkillers. Secondary dysmenorrhea though is a severe pain that is caused by an underlying medical condition such as endometriosis, or uterine fibroids. If you experience that, ask your gynecologist about available treatment options that will ease your pain during periods.
4. Spotting
Spotting is light bleeding that occurs between periods. It can occur after sex or without any obvious reason — in most cases, it’s nothing to worry about. However, if it becomes regular, it’s worth noting that there are a lot of dangerous conditions that can cause spotting. The most common of them are:
- Uterine fibroids
- Uterine polyps
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Cervical cancer
If you can’t define the exact cause of spotting on your own, you can use gynecological services offered by gynecologists to identify your condition.
5. Abnormal vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge is a normal part of the menstrual cycle. They are mostly clear or white without any strong odor. If your vaginal discharge had changed its color, odor, and/or texture, it can be a sign of an infection. Since many vaginal infections have similar symptoms, it’s better to visit a gynecologist.
6. Pelvic pressure
The feeling of pressure in the pelvic area can be due to adenomyosis or uterine fibroids. Adenomyosis is a condition in which the endometrium grows inside the uterine walls and this can lead to the enlargement of the uterus. Uterine fibroids, on the other hand, are benign growths that occur on the uterine walls. Furthermore, they can grow enormously big (up to the size of a melon) and cause pelvic pressure.
7. Pain during sex
Painful sensations during sex can occur because of:
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian cysts
- Cervical cancer
- Uterine fibroids
- Vaginal dryness
Besides these, there are many other conditions that affect the female reproductive system and cause painful intercourse. Timely and proper treatment can help reduce your discomfort and improve the quality of your sex life.
Overall, it’s important to pay attention to your health and visit the gynecologist after spotting any unusual symptoms. After all, it’s always better to prevent than to treat a serious condition after it has developed.
Featured image via Sora Shimazaki on Pexels
