9 Weighty Reasons To Make an Appointment With a Gynecologist

Many women tend to skip gynecological check-ups unless they have some severe symptoms. But you should understand that even mild symptoms may manifest the development of severe health issues that can have unpredictable complications. In this article, we have gathered nine weighty reasons to make an appointment with a gynecologist.

Pelvic pain that occurs before and during periods and doesn't interfere with your normal activities can be deemed normal. But if you experience pain in the pelvic area on a regular basis, it can be a sign of a certain gynecological disorder. There are a lot of conditions that can cause pelvic pain. The most common of them are:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Sexually transmitted infections
• An ovarian cyst (and ovarian cyst rupture)
• Ovarian torsion
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Urinary tract infection

Due to the variety of pelvic pain causes, it is better to avoid self-treatment. Only a professional gynecologist can diagnose you and perform the proper treatment.

If you have skipped one or two periods, there is nothing to worry about. But if you have missed three or more periods in a row, it is better to contact your gynecologist. Even though that pregnancy is deemed the most common cause of missed periods, it is not the only one. Your periods can disappear because of stress, weight gain or loss, thyroid issues, hormonal imbalance, etc. Your gynecologist will examine you to define the exact cause of missed periods.

Genital warts occur when you have been infected with certain strains of human papillomavirus. Even though genital warts usually don't cause any severe symptoms, it is better to remove them since they can be irritated by your underwear or during sex. You may also need to undergo additional testing to define what strains of HPV you have been infected with.

Bleeding between periods (spotting) can occur because of various reasons. Hormonal birth control and ovulation and the most common. However, there are certain conditions that can also cause spotting. The most common of them are:

• Sexually transmitted infections
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Vaginal dryness
• Cervical ectropion
• Cervical cancer

If your vaginal bleeding occurs regularly, make an appointment with your gynecologist.

Abnormal vaginal discharges are discharges that have changed their color, texture, and/or smell. For example, thick white discharge can be a sign of yeast infection while bacterial vaginosis can manifest itself through thin, gray, white, or green vaginal discharge with a fishy smell. Sexually transmitted diseases, cervicitis, cervical cancer, and other conditions can also affect your discharge.

Infertility is a quite common issue for many people. You should know that both men and women can have problems with fertility. The most common causes of female infertility include:

• Uterine fibroids
• Thyroid disorders
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Premature ovarian failure
• Cervical stenosis
• Cancers of the female reproductive system

Even though only some of these conditions can be cured, it is essential to treat all of them to prevent the development of severe complications.

If you have noticed that your uterus becomes enlarged, it can be a sign of uterine fibroids or adenomyosis. Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop on the uterine walls. They can grow quite big (up to the size of a melon) and this can result in pelvic pressure. Adenomyosis is a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows inside of the uterine walls that leads to its enlargement.

There are a lot of factors that can cause pain during sex. The most common of them are:

• Uncomfortable pose
• Insufficient lubrication
• Rough sex
• Psychological barriers (like previous negative experience)
• Gynecological disorders

Firstly, it is important to define what exactly makes sex painful. Secondly, you need to undergo proper treatment if the problem is medical. If you experience pain during sex because of gynecological disorders like endometriosis, vaginal dryness, pelvic inflammatory disease, ask your gynecologist about available treatment options.

9. You have severe periods
Most women experience mild pain and discomfort during periods (primary dysmenorrhea) that can be considered normal. But there are many women who suffer from unbearable period pain (secondary dysmenorrhea) that makes them stay in bed and take a lot of painkillers. This pain can be caused by certain medical conditions. In this case, it is essential to visit a gynecologist for treatment.