Author: hewisadnus

1.Painful Periods

For many women, getting your period is an unpleasant time. Cramps, breast soreness, and headaches are just a few of the most common menstruation symptoms. But for some women, period pain goes beyond cramps and can be incredibly severe. If your periods are very painful or have been getting worse over time, it can be a sign of endometriosis or uterine fibroids. “It’s important to speak with your doctor about this, as there are many solutions that can make these conditions more manageable. You don’t need to suffer in silence,” says Shari Lawson, M.D., a Johns Hopkins gynecologist.

2.Vaginal Odor

While vaginal odor can be an uncomfortable topic, it’s important to talk to your doctor if there is a foul or fishy smell, or if there’s a change from your normal smell that seems to be lasting for a few days. “While having an odor is normal, any changes or foul smells may be a sign of bacterial overgrowth or vaginal infection,”

3.Swelling Bumps or Growths “Down There”

Noticing a growth in your vagina or around your labia can seem worrisome. Is it ingrown hair, a pimple, a cut from shaving or possibly something more concerning? Bumps are often benign, but it’s important to have your doctor perform an examination when you feel something. “Genital warts may be visible for some time, but herpes lesions can heal over seven to 14 days, making it important to be seen when the outbreak is occurring,” Lawson says.

4.Sexual Discomfort

It’s very important to talk to your doctor about sexual discomfort. You may be uncomfortable bringing it up, but your gynecologist can help explain and treat your concerns.

• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during sex

5.Sexual History

To determine risk factors for cervical dysplasia and HPV infection. Having intercourse younger than 18 can sometimes make you more susceptible to HPV because the cervical-vaginal junction is more pronounced when you’re younger. Having more partners can also increase the potential for exposure.

To discuss potential ramifications of past STDs. “Some STDs can increase the risk for infertility, so physicians want to provide appropriate counseling if that situation arises,” says Lawson. “For STDs like herpes, for example, we also like to provide counseling, since this is a lifelong condition and you may experience outbreaks in the future.”

To ensure that a patient is receiving the best possible care. Though LGBT communities are diverse, research shows that there are certain health concerns among lesbian and bisexual women and trans men that are important for LGBT individuals and health care providers to be aware of. Learn more about where to find knowledgeable, supportive, and compassionate providers.

Have you noticed any of these?

Yes, talking about ‘down there’ and getting checked is embarrassing. So embarrassing that research shows one in three women are missing their smear tests1 … with deadly consequences. Every year thousands of British women are diagnosed with cervical cancer; hundreds die – and that’s only one of the problems we should be watching for2.

There are many other gynaecological disorders that can have devastating consequences if left unchecked. So here at The Gynae Centre we’ve put together a list of the top 5 symptoms of gynaecological disorders.

Do not ignore these red flags – your health is too precious.

1. Abnormal vaginal discharge
First of all, sticky, white discharge between your monthly periods is natural and normal. It serves to clean your vagina and protect against genital infections. Pregnant or breastfeeding women may also notice more discharge.

However, if you experience vaginal discharge with an unusual colour or strange odour, it could signal a problem. This discharge may occur repeatedly at any time or you might notice it after sex.

Scented soaps, bubble baths, creams, lotions or douches can irritate some women’s vaginas. If you use them and are noticing abnormal discharge, you could try stopping to see if the symptoms disappear.

Cervical cancer, chlamydia, bacterial infections, gonorrhoea, complications from abortion and vaginitis are the most common causes of unusual vaginal discharge. Early detection is crucial, so if in doubt, get it checked out!

2. Vaginal bleeding
It’s possible for bleeding between your periods to be unrelated to gynaecological problems – for example as the result of birth control medication or hormonal imbalances. But abnormal bleeding can be dangerous.

Sometimes excessive or unusual bleeding can be connected to a change in your period pattern. Menstruation irregularities like heavy bleeding, shorter or longer periods, or unusual pain during menstruation may be signals of serious conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts. What’s more, unusual bleeding can be a result of an STD (sexually transmitted disease) or even cancer if it happens after 40 year of age …

3. Vaginal Itching
Experiencing vaginal itching and burning?

Often paired with redness, soreness, swelling or even lumps or eruptions, this sensation could be a red flag. The irritation can be caused by yeast infection, or sexual disorders such as vaginal dryness in the menopause

4. Pelvic pain
The problem often appears as a dull throbbing pain around the lower abdomen or pelvic area. You may also notice tenderness around your thigh muscles or stomach. The pain is distinct from normal period cramps.

Pelvic pain should not be ignored. It can be a symptom of a number of different infections in the reproductive tract, for example pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts or even appendicitis. Such conditions can lead to severe damage to the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus, creating complications such as infertility.

5. Frequent need to pee
Are you constantly finding yourself looking for the ladies room? This could be a red flag. While the frequent need to pass water, along with a sharp, stinging pain when you do, may simply signal a urinary tract infection like cystitis, it may also be a sign of a range of gynaecological problems such as STDs infection something pressing on the bladder like fibroids or ovarian cyst. So, if the problem is a persistent one get to the doctor.

Keep in mind, this list is only a snapshot of the most common symptoms of gynaecological problems. There are other signs, which are not so easy to spot. So don’t leave it to chance. For true peace of mind, you need the expertise of an accomplished gynaecologist. The quicker you get checked out, the more effective an intervention will be, and the safer you will be.

Immediately after a diagnosis or injury, you may feel you will never cope with what life has dealt you. Overwhelming feelings of sorrow, anger, and unfairness are very common and absolutely normal. But somehow, most people do eventually adjust to their new lives. In this article, we look at coping strategies and find out how others have learned to live with a neurological condition.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Up to 1 in 3 people who survive a subarachnoid hemorrhage are thought to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – a natural reaction to the trauma of surviving a life-threatening situation. After a close brush with death, they may become aware of their own mortality, and become much more anxious about health or other issues.

Post-traumatic stress disorder may also affect you if you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic accident or injury.

If you think you may be affected, speak to your GP or specialist.

Looking to the future (and being realistic)

If you are newly affected by a serious injury or illness, thoughts of the future may at first be very upsetting. Your life is likely to be very different from what you may have hoped or planned for yourself and facing up to this may be painful.

Motivating yourself can help to set yourself small, achievable goals. It’s important to be realistic about these! What may have seemed insignificant before your illness may represent a huge challenge now, as Patsy, who survived a subarachnoid hemorrhage, found:

“It would even be the stupid little things like, say, today I’m going to walk to the house 3 doors away. And I’d do it and then it would be 4 doors away or I’d go to the postbox or something… And it was even things like, this morning I’m going to put my own socks on, rather than have my husband do it,” she says.

Pursuing your goal will give you a sense of purpose, and a great sense of achievement when you fulfill it successfully. Making a note of these successes can also give you hope and show you how far you have progressed.

Some neurological problems or conditions are present from birth (congenital), some are hereditary (genetic) and others have a sudden onset due to injury or illness, such as a head injury or stroke, or a cancer of the brain or spine.

There are over 470 known neurological conditions. Some conditions, such as head injury and stroke, with the right treatment and support, may make a good recovery. Other conditions, such as muscular dystrophy and motor neurone disease, are degenerative (symptoms worsen over time). A neurological condition may often result in some degree of disability.

People are likely to have to make big changes to their lifestyles due to the effect of the condition on their physical abilities and their sense of perception, memory, judgement and reasoning.

They may become less independent and require more physical and emotional care and support in their daily lives. These conditions affect both children and adults and in many cases cause long term problems without the prospect of a cure.