This is an archive article published on August 27, 2023

5 signs you need to see a gynaecologist

Preventive care helps detect or prevent serious diseases and medical problems before they become major. Annual check-ups, immunisations, and flu shots, certain specific tests and screenings are the tools to keep a check on ailments, said Dr Vinita Sawhney, Gynaecologist, Consults at MY LYF CARE App.

gynacRegular visits to your gynaecologist can result in early detection of problems. (Photo: Pexels)
5 min readNew DelhiAug 27, 2023 10:20 AM IST First published on: Aug 27, 2023 at 10:20 AM IST

Prevention is the best defence against future health problems. Preventive care helps detect or prevent serious diseases and medical problems before they become major. Annual check-ups, immunisations, and flu shots, certain specific tests and screenings are the tools to keep a check on ailments, said Dr Vinita Sawhney, Gynaecologist, Consults at MY LYF CARE App.

From the perspective of gaining control over one’s periods to preventing certain cancers, regular visits to a gynaecologist are essential to the health of a being with female reproductive organs. Health experts recommend females start visiting a gynaecologist pre and post becoming sexually active, right from puberty to menopause.

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However, many dames tend to overlook their health at the forefront of either family or career. A study suggests that more than 26% of women have refrained from a doctor’s visit throughout their lives. Often, females experience symptoms like pelvic pain, vaginal discharge, UTI and skipped periods that need special attention and a  gynaec diagnosis.

Here are a few symptoms to watch out for:

Pelvic pain and abdominal discomfort
It’s critical to let the gynaecologist know about the sort of pain experienced, whether it is a consistent pain or a sudden flash of agony. It will help the specialist make a legitimate diagnosis. Sharp pelvic pain might be an admonition sign of an infection, or a ruptured ovarian cyst or a dangerous ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy growing external to the uterus). More consistent pain or a sensation of fullness in the abdomen is reminiscent of uterine fibroids, non-cancerous tumours.

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Another potential wellspring of the regular pelvic torment can be endometriosis, a typical condition in which the lining of the uterus grows outside the organ. The ailment starts with a painful menstrual cycle and can progress to become a constant pain as endometrial cells grow outside the uterus. The endometrial tissue bleeds during menstruation resulting in severe pain. Though there is no cure for endometriosis, however, anything that makes periods more limited, lighter, or nonexistent can give symptom alleviation.

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Bleeding between periods/postmenopausal bleeding
Bleeding a little in-between period is called spotting and is typical for most women. If the spotting turns out to be heavy, frequent, or painful, it should be brought to the notice of gynaecologists. It can be an indication of contamination, infection, cysts, a miscarriage, or even cancer of the cervix or uterus. Especially for women experiencing bleeding post-menopause, to preclude the chance of uterine cancer growth, a doctor’s visit is necessary.

Breast Pain
Any abnormalities in the breast should be brought to the notice of the gynaecologist. It might incorporate breast pain, swelling, discomfort, lumps or discharge from the breast. A dry, crusty or layered areola ought to be identified and notified to the expert. Redness, partial enlarging or warmth are a couple of more signs that should never be ignored. The gynaecologist, after physical diagnosis, will be able to chalk out the root cause and its treatment. With a constant surge in breast cancer cases worldwide, every woman should consider such symptoms seriously.

Problematic periods/missed periods
It is essential to know what’s typical for our bodies. When one feels frail, discombobulated or inactive during menstruation, one should consult a gynaecologist. Irregularity in periods can be a symptom of an underlying condition like PCOS – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, a hormone imbalance issue. A missed period could be a sign of pregnancy or that there can be another health-related emergency condition that requires speedy consideration.

Unusual discharge or soreness in the genital area
Vaginal discharge keeps the vagina clean and healthy. The thickness of discharge changes at various times of the month, contingent upon your menstrual cycle. However, if the colour of the vaginal discharge is yellow, green, or grey that has an awful odour, it is high time to visit a gynaecologist. Changes in vaginal discharge, in addition to itching and burning sensation around the vagina, could indicate some type of vaginitis. Two significant culprits are yeast and bacterial infection, which can be cured with medication. Extreme painful genital soreness could be an indication of herpes.

The various symptoms portrayed by the body are indications of its wellbeing and being attentive towards any changes experienced. Symptoms that one might have encountered for a considerable long time, from debilitating cramps and bizarrely extreme emotional mood swings might benefit from some intervention with a visit to the expert. Each individual is unique, and it takes specialised health experts to ensure the female conceptive organs are in good health and treated by those distinctions.

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