It is not always easy to know what’s “normal” and what may be a sign of a potential health problem when it comes to sexual and reproductive health. It is advisable to see an obstetrician/gynaecologist (OB/GYN) to maintain good feminine health. There are many fears, concerns or myths about going to the OB/GYN. As a gynaecological specialist, I can treat and diagnose problems your general practitioner may not be trained to recognize.
Here are reasons to see a gynaecologist.
1. Painful Periods or an Irregular Menstrual Cycle
Getting periods for most women is an unpleasant time. Common menstrual cycle symptoms include cramps, headaches and breast soreness. Sometimes, menstrual pain goes beyond cramps and can be incredibly severe. Having painful periods over a prolonged time can be a sign of endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
“Talk to your gynaecologist about the pain, he/she will help you treat or make the condition manageable,”
says Satbir Karwal, M.D., Shree Swaminarayan Hospital gynaecologist.
Likewise, having irregular periods can be a sign of a larger health problem. It is advisable to see a gynaecologist and obtain an exam. Watch out for longer or shorter cycles, heavy bleeding, extremely painful cramps or any other differences of note.
2. Swelling Bumps or Growths and Blisters “Down There”
A growth in your vagina or around your labia can seem worrisome. It is vital to have your doctor perform an examination when you feel a bump or swelling “down there”.
3. Vaginal Odour and Changes in Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal odour can be an uncomfortable topic. It’s important to talk to your doctor if there is a foul or fishy smell normal smell lasting for a few days. Unusual vaginal discharge could be a sign of an infection. Avoid self-medicating and see an OB/GYN to discover the cause of the issue.
4. Sexual Discomfort/Painful Intercourse
Painful sex or vaginal dryness may be a sign that something could be amiss. Talk to a gynaecologist to determine the source of the pain or dryness; whether it is physical or potentially psychological in nature as well as other mitigating factors.
5. Leakage or blood in the urine
If you experience pain or see blood when you urinate, it is crucial to see a gynaecologist. Having traces of blood in the urine or pain while urinating isn’t necessarily of medical concern, but it’s always best to find out for sure.
6. Maternal Healthcare
It is essential to obtain care from an OB/GYN. Whether you are pregnant, thinking of having a child, having any complications or looking for advice on spacing your children and general health concerns. If you’re pregnant, it’s wise to make an appointment as soon as you know or suspect. Dr Satbir Karwal will monitor your entire pregnancy to be sure everything is on the right track and to address any concerns.
Recommended annual check-up
Pap Smear
You are advised to have a pap smear test annually. Through this test, your gynaecologist will be able to examine and look for cancer or other abnormal indicators because some things simply can’t be detected through an internal exam alone.
Breast Exam
Your breast health is also as important as your vaginal health. It is advisable to always include breast examination along with your yearly check-up, to check for issues of concern such as lumps or tissue masses.
I used to have my menstrual cycle every month but lately, my period only comes every 4 months, so I’m starting to worry something might be wrong. I appreciate you letting us know that it’s best to see a gynecologist if you have irregular periods and get examined since it might indicate a larger health problem. I’ll be sure to set an appointment with OB services as soon as I can.
It’s fascinating that this article emphasises how intense menstrual pain may be and how it can go beyond cramping. I’m unable to carry out my usual chores because of my severe menstrual cramps. To check and make sure everything is okay, I’ll make sure to visit an obstetrician.
I like how you mentioned that unusual vaginal discharge can indicate an illness. Recently, my wife has been experiencing yeast infections, so I advised her to visit an ob-gyn. I appreciate the information and will let my wife know about it so she may go visit one right away.
Thanks for mentioning how it is important to get a breast exam from a gynecologist every year. My sister and I have talked about how we want to make sure we are as healthy as possible. We’ll both have to find a reputable gynecologist and book an exam with them right away.
Hello! Wow, I really have to thank you for helping us recognize the fact that a gynecologist should be our main point of reference whenever we have plan to conceive so our eventual family planning would be effective. If that’s the case, I must inform my sister-in-law about this matter so she’d be able to refer to the right specialist after this. She’ll get married in a few months’ time and her soon-to-be husband has already thinking of how many kids they should have.
I can relate to what you mentioned about painful periods and irregular menstrual cycles because my friend’s daughter experiences that whenever she has her period. My friend always tells me about her problem. I think it would be best if they visit an Obgyn as soon as possible to get her check and see if there is any other underlying medical condition in her daughter’s situation. As you mention, irregular periods can signify more significant health problems. For me, health is real wealth, and my friend should not lose more time getting a professional Obgyney to check her daughter to be sure of their diagnosis.
What caught my attention is when you said that you must be suffering from endometriosis or uterine fibroids when you are experiencing painful periods over a prolonged time. I will remember this tip because I have been experiencing painful periods for the past three months. My goal is to get treated with the help of a gynecologist within the week for help.
Thank you for warning us that having irregular periods can indicate a larger health problem, so it’s recommended that you see a gynecologist for an exam to get a proper diagnosis. It’s been two months since I got my period, and the last time had me bleeding heavily, so I’m worried that something might be wrong with my body. I’ll have to speak with a nearby gynecologist soon so I can get an appointment sorted hopefully by this weekend.
What caught my attention is when you said that you could be suffering from endometriosis if you are experiencing painful periods over a prolonged time. This is something that I will ask my sister to do because she has been dealing with irregular and heavy periods since the year started. There might be a need for her to visit a professional for surgery procedures, so your tips are helpful.