It can be difficult to determine between what is “normal” and what may suggest a potential health danger when it comes to sexual and reproductive health. Even if you are hesitant to share some issues, the gynecologist has seen and heard it all and is there to help you rather than pass judgment.
Here are seven subjects you should always discuss with your gynecologist:
1. Agonizing Periods
For many women, getting their period is a painful event.. However, for some women, period pain goes beyond cramps and may be agonizing. If your periods are exceedingly painful or have gotten progressively uncomfortable over time, you may have endometriosis or uterine fibroids. It’s vital to talk to your doctor about this because there are numerous solutions for making these symptoms more bearable.
2.Urine Smell
While the vaginal odor is an unpleasant topic, it is important to visit doctor if there is a foul or fishy odor, or if there is a change from your typical scent that lasts for a few days. While having an odor is okay, “any shifts or undesirable odors may be an indication of bacterial overgrowth or vaginal infection,” Expert says.
3. Swollen Or Growing Bump “From Below”
A growth in your vagina or around your labia may be cause for concern. Is it a pimple, an ingrown hair, a shaving cut, or something more serious? Bumps are normally innocuous, but if you see anything, consult your doctor right once.
4. Sexual Unhappiness
It is vital to consult your doctor about sexual discomfort. You may feel uncomfortable addressing it, but your gynecologist can explain and resolve your concerns.
Many women experience vaginal dryness during intercourse. A woman’s age and mitigating factors in her life are typically factors in her dryness. If a younger woman has this problem and has been on birth control for a long time, she may be deficient in estrogen and may need to change her birth control. A busy mother may not dedicate enough time to pre-sex foreplay and excitement, resulting in dryness. If a woman is postmenopausal and has dry skin, it might be due to a lack of estrogen, and her gynecologist can prescribe vaginal estrogen.
5. Sexual History
Women commonly believe that their gynecologist or obgyn in NJ is condemning them if she asks how many partners they’ve had, how old they were when they first had intercourse, if they’ve had any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or about their sexual orientation and gender identity. These problems arise for a variety of reasons:
To determine risk factors for cervical dysplasia and HPV infection. Intercourse before the age of 18 may increase your susceptibility to HPV since the cervical-vaginal junction is more visible. Having more relationships raises your chances of being exposed.
To ensure that a patient receives the best possible care. Even though LGBT populations vary, research suggests that there are specific health hazards among lesbian, bisexual, and trans males that LGBT persons and healthcare providers should be aware of.
6. Urine Or Feces Leakage
Incontinence, whether urinary or fecal, may be exceedingly stressful and have a significant influence on your quality of life. Many women will have these symptoms following childbirth, particularly if they had a large baby or a vaginal delivery that required the use of forceps or a vacuum. As women approach menopause, these symptoms may worsen. “Depending on the type of incontinence, there may be pharmacological or surgical therapeutic alternatives,” an expert adds. Speaking with your doctor will allow her or him to examine the suitable treatment regimens and, if necessary, refer you to a pelvic floor issue expert.”