Health concerns and risks that women must discuss with their gynecologist include: Trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, and uterine leiomyomas.
Women who are sexually active may be exposed to a sexually transmitted infection called trichomoniasis. Symptoms of this disease in women include yellow or green frothy vaginal discharge, itching in the genital area, burning during urination or sex , abdominal pain , low-grade fever , fatigue , and swollen uterus . In addition to these symptoms, men can also have a mild sore throat and swollen glands . If left untreated for long it can lead to liver or kidney problems, pelvic inflammatory disease , or cervical cancer .
Another serious risk that premenopausal women are exposed to is bacterial vaginosis . This condition occurs when there is an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the vagina . Symptoms include itching, burning, and a fishy odor. Pregnant women with this condition are at increased risk of transmitting the infection to their infants during childbirth , which can lead to eye infections and pneumonia . More importantly, it increases the risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease .
Bacterial Vaginosis can be caused by douching. When douching is stopped bacteria will return to normal levels much more quickly.
Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID involves inflammation in the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes . It is usually triggered by bacteria that are spread during intercourse, although it can also be caused by other infections. Symptoms of PID include chills, fever , abdominal pain , vaginal discharge or bleeding between periods , painful sex , and pain in the lower abdomen . In addition, women with this disease are at increased risk of becoming infertile later on in life due to damaged fallopian tubes.
Endometriosis occurs when the tissue lining inside the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus in places such as ovaries , bowel , bladder , vagina, cervix, and around pelvic ligaments . The displaced tissue continues to act in a similar way that it does in the uterus—that is thickening before each menstrual cycle, then breaking down and bleeding. The blood accumulates in the pelvic cavity and abdomen, causing pain , heavy menstruation, inflammation , lower back ache, nausea, fatigue , bowel problems, and painful sex . Uterine Leiomyomas or fibroids are benign tumors that grow on the smooth muscle of the uterus . These can cause heavy periods , abdominal discomfort , difficult urination or burning during urination, anemia (because of blood loss during periods), infertility ( because of pressure on fallopian tubes ), miscarriage ( due to pressure on other tissues), urinary tract infections ( affected by incomplete emptying of bladder)…
These health concerns and risks that women must discuss with their gynecologist can be treated successfully when diagnosed early. However, if left unattended they may lead to infertility and other serious conditions such as ectopic pregnancy or pelvic cancer . Gynecologists can help identify these risks and monitor them over time to keep women healthy and satisfied with their sexual lives.
Trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis , pelvic inflammatory disease , endometriosis , uterine leiomyomas – these health concerns and risks that women must discuss with their gynecologist include: Trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis , pelvic inflammatory disease , endometriosis, uterine leiomyomas . Women who are sexually active may be exposed to a sexually transmitted infection called trichomoniasis . Symptoms of this disease in women include vaginal itching, irritation , and burning; a greenish yellow frothy, foul-smelling vaginal discharge ; pain during sex , urination, or defecation ; and lower abdominal discomfort . Bacterial vaginosis is another serious risk that premenopausal women are exposed to. Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis in women include a milky white or gray vaginal discharge with a fishy smell ; itching or burning of the vagina ; pain during sex , urination, or defecation ; and painful urination . Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID involves inflammation in the uterus , ovaries , or fallopian tubes . It is usually triggered by bacteria that are spread during intercourse, although it can also be caused by other infections.