A gynecologist is a specialist in the female reproductive system. They diagnose and treat problems related to the female reproductive organs, such as the ovaries, uterus, vagina, cervix, placenta, and breasts. Gynecologists may also specialize in prenatal care, whereby they treat pregnant women during and after pregnancy. They can also specialize in oncology and help treat women with cervical or uterine cancer.
You should seek gynecologist services if you have any of these four gynecological conditions:
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
In women of reproductive age, chlamydia is the most common cause of PID. Many women have not been tested for this STD and may not know they have it. If a woman has ever had unprotected sexual relations, she should get a yearly pelvic examination, including a test for chlamydia.
If left untreated, PID can cause infertility, pelvic pain, and ectopic pregnancy. Thus, it is very important that a woman who experiences signs of pelvic inflammatory diseases seeks gynecologist services sooner rather than later.
Cervical Erosion
It is advisable to seek gynecologist services if you experience any signs of this condition. Cervical erosion is a condition in which the surface cells of your cervix peel off, causing spotting or severe bleeding after sex or between periods. A gynecologist may diagnose cervical erosion by performing a Pap smear.
They may also perform colposcopy, whereby they use a magnifying lens to examine the cervix, allowing them to look for visual abnormalities of the cervical cells. The treatment of cervical erosion includes using drugs or surgery.
Pelvic Pain
You should also schedule an appointment with a gynecologist if you are experiencing pelvic pain. The condition can be due to reproductive and non-reproductive causes. Women may present with lower abdominal or pelvic pain, dyspareunia (painful intercourse), dyschezia (painful defecation), or other symptoms involving the female reproductive tract. It is common among pregnant women, those who have just given birth, or the ones in their menopausal age.
Adverse Effects of Menopause
Menopause occurs when a woman's menstrual cycle stops naturally or surgically. In the United States, the average age for natural menopause is 51 years. During this time, there are no more eggs in the woman's ovaries and, therefore, no more menstrual periods. On the other hand, surgical menopause occurs when a woman has her ovaries removed surgically to treat a medical condition, such as ovarian cancer or endometriosis.
Adverse effects of menopause include insomnia or difficulty sleeping, hot flashes despite adequate temperature control, headache, vision changes, weight gain around the abdomen area, low libido or sex drive, fatigue during the day, or an increase in fatigue at night. If the effects of menopause affect your quality of life, it's advisable to seek gynecologist services.
The Bottom Line
A gynecologist is highly trained to treat conditions that affect women during puberty, adolescence, adulthood, and menopause. If you are experiencing any of the following conditions, be sure to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist for a detailed examination.
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