When you present yourself with the symptoms such as vaginal bleeding after menopause, bleeding in between periods, pain in lower abdominal region, your doctor will start with a series of questions followed by physical examination and then depending on the observations, he/she may ask for other tests such as biopsy, CT scan etc.
Endometrial cancer refers to the growth of cancer cells in the endometrial layer. Endometrial cancer is sometimes referred to as Uterine Cancer or uterus cancer. There are other types of cancers that can form in the uterus (such as uterine sarcoma) but they are less common compared to endometrial cancer.
Aborting pregnancy using medicines that you find online (including this article) or self abortion can lead to certain complications which you can easily avoid with one visit to your gynaecologist’s clinic before commencing the abortion with pills procedure.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is also called as “morning sickness during pregnancy”. A highly uncomfortable condition faced by women who are in the beginning stages of their pregnancy (in their 1st trimester). The condition goes away on its own in about 2 or 3 months. Feeling nauseated and vomiting during pregnancy is common but the hyperemesis gravidarum actually refers to an extreme condition of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
HIV Tests can be broadly divided into 3 different types. Each type of test looks for different components such as:
a. Actual presence of virus, if present, the amount of virus in blood (called viral load)
b. Presence of antigens and antibodies in blood
c. Presence of antibodies
Scanty periods or having lighter periods may come as a relief to you but if you see that your cycle is lighter for several months, you will need to see your gynecologist to figure out if there is a problem with your menstrual cycle or hormone levels in your body. There are several reasons that can make your periods scanty/lighter or even reduce to the level of just spotting including your age, body weight, contraceptives being used, current medications if any etc.
“Can you have sex during menstruation/periods? Is it safe to have unprotected sex during period? Will I get pregnant if I have unprotected sex during my periods?” I get such questions from at least 1 in 5 women who I see at my clinic, says Dr. Deepa Ganesh, one of the top gynecologists in Chennai. Here is all what you as a woman need to know about sex during menstruation.
An episiotomy is defined as a cut/incision made to the perineum to widen the delivery canal of the baby during child birth. Episiotomy is done to prevent severe tearing up of perineum by the body to deliver the child. Usually episiotomy is done when the child to be born has a problem coming out and in distress and at risk of losing life.
Uterine polyps are unwanted growth of cells on the inner lining of the uterus. These cells grow into benign tumors and extend into the uterus and may be even into the vagina. They are also called endometrial polyps as they stem from the endometrium layer (inner lining) of the uterus. Learn more about Uterine Polyps – Symptoms and Causes by visiting this article.
Uterine polyps are unwanted growths (of cells) that start from the inner lining of the uterus and extend into the uterus. In some people, they extend into the cervix and even into the vagina. As some of you might be knowing, the inner lining of the uterus is called endometrium, thus the name ‘Endometrial Polyps’ for Uterine polyps.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome is a bodily response to the excess hormones given to the body after which the ovaries swell and become painful. Excess hormones are given to those women whose ovaries need stimulation to produce eggs while preparing them for an IVF procedure. Less frequently, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome occurs when certain fertility related medicines are taken orally.
Mirena is a hormonal contraceptive that produces these hormones effectively slowing down the growth of endometrial layer. This acts as a birth control device too. Mirena also helps in easing pelvic inflammation and also control (reduce) menstrual bleeding.
Dysmenorrhea or Menstrual cramps are common during the menstrual cycle. Symptoms include cramps in the abdomen, bleeding (discharge of inner lining of the uterus along with other fluids), pain in lower back and thighs, fatigue and mood swings.
If the symptoms last longer than 5 days and if you think that is unusual, please speak to your gynaecologist immediately because the problem may be due to secondary dysmenorrhea that can indicate problem with any of the reproductive organs.
Genital Warts are caused by certain strains of Human Papilloma Virus, one of the widely spread Sexually Transmitted Infections. HPV can spread from skin to skin contact from infected individual to a healthy individual. Genital warts can be seen in both and men but women are more vulnerable to the infection. Vaccine is available for certain strains of HPV. Genital warts can show up after a long interval after infection. They can recur until the infection is treated.
Sex during pregnancy – Is it safe to have sex when pregnant or will it result in miscarriage? Why do some women feel contractions after having sex, does that indicate water breaking or any other problem? Do all women feel like having sex while they are pregnant? When should a pregnant woman actually take caution while having sex? Know answers to all these questions and more in one of the most read topics on the internet.
Geriatric pregnancy, a less commonly used term for women who get pregnant after 35 years of age. The term was widely used in the earlier decades when most of the women were getting pregnant during their 20s, but as the lifestyle of people has changed, getting pregnant in ‘elderly years’ has become a very common thing. Now-a-days, doctors and medical professionals call women who get pregnant after 35 as women in ‘advanced maternal age’.
A rectocele is a type of pelvic organ prolapse where the rectum bulges and pushes the back side (posterior) of vagina. Rectocele is also called ‘Posterior Vaginal Wall Prolapse’ or ‘Proctocele’. In our previous article, you would have read about ‘Anterior Vaginal Wall Prolapse’ in which the urinary bladder bulges into the front wall (anterior) of the vagina.
Bladder prolapse occurs due to weakening of muscles in the pelvis region. Symptoms of the bladder prolapse include bulged or feeling full in the vagina. Pain and problem when urination or having intercourse. If you see any of these symptoms, please talk to your gynecologist immediately. Once your gynecologist diagnoses you, you will be suggested with surgical or non surgical solutions depending on your condition.
Vaginal prolapse or pelvic organ prolapse occurs due to weakening of muscles in the pelvis region. Symptoms of the vaginal prolapse include bulged or feeling full in the pelvis region or abdomen. Pain and problem when urination or passing stools etc may also be seen. If you see any of these symptoms, please talk to your gynecologist immediately. Once your gynecologist diagnoses you, you will be suggested with surgical or non surgical solutions depending on your condition.
Uterine prolapse refers to a condition when the uterus drops down from its original position. Reasons can be many but it happens due to weakening of pelvic muscles. Weakening of pelvic muscles may be due to age, injury or trauma to the pelvis region, pregnancy, vaginal child, multiple vaginal child births or multiple surgeries to pelvic region. Fixing the uterus in its place or removing it completely are treatment options for uterine prolapse. Remedies for minor cases of prolapse include Kegel exercise, preventing constipation, avoiding lifting heavy weights etc.
There are several soft organs inside the pelvis region which are held in their place by the muscles and tissues in the area. As the muscles lose strength, the organs start to fall down causing pelvic organ prolapse. Almost every woman (and some men), suffer from pelvic organ prolapse. Women get it mainly due to the pressure laid by growing baby on the pelvic region during pregnancy and vaginal delivery that tears a lot of muscles and tissues. Multiple vaginal deliveries are going to make things worse unless the pelvic floor muscles are worked out and strengthened.
Herpes virus enters a healthy person’s body through the microscopic gaps in the mucus membranes present in the nose, mouth and in/on the genitals. Once the virus enters the body, it travels through the nerves and stays in the nerve tissues of the body. Usually they start multiplying quickly and the body starts showing symptoms.
Myomectomy procedure involves removal of fibroids. Once the fibroids are removed, they won’t grow back but there is a possibility of fibroids growing in different region. Myomectomy gets rid of the symptoms in about 90% of women. 33% of women who undergo Myomectomy will need another surgery, typically in next 5 years as the fibroids return, in different places. Hysterectomy is a procedure where the uterus is removed, giving no possibility of fibroids re-growth.
1. Diabetes is a condition where the sugar levels in blood are consistently higher.
2. Type 1 diabetes affects 10% of the people and rest of the 90% of diabetic people have Type 2.
3. Problem in and around vagina arises in women with diabetes.
4. PCOS, Infertility, miscarriage, difficulty in getting pregnant can be seen.
5. Other complications include kidney diseases, heart problems, blurred vision, amputation etc.
HPV – Human Papilloma Virus is one of the most common and easily transmissible sexually transmitted infections. Just like many other viral infections, HPV infection may not show any symptom at all in some patients and in some others, symptoms may show up after the sero-conversion period. Typically, sexually active people are at higher risk of acquiring the disease.
Cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. The cervix becomes larger during vaginal child birth. Presence of abnormal cells in the cervix region (lining of the cervix) is called Cervical Dysplasia.
Vaginismus is a medical condition wherein the muscles around the vagina contract involuntarily during sexual penetration. Due to the involuntary contraction, sexual penetration may not happen and can affect a woman (and her partner) in a negative way psychologically.
“Dyspareunia refers to persistent and recurring pain during intercourse. While this is common in women who have reached menopause, there are several other medical conditions that can lead to Dyspareunia in younger women. When a woman is not able to enjoy her intimate moments, she consciously or unconsciously starts disliking the act and may refuse to participate. This can lead to relationship problems in couple.
Vaginal Atrophy, also called Postmenopausal Atrophic Vaginitis is a condition when the walls of vagina become thin because of decreased estrogen levels. This is typically seen in women who have reached menopause state. At times, this happens in women while they are in their perimenopause stage.
Women who underwent hysterectomy have absolutely no chance of getting pregnancy. However, women who underwent tubal ligation risk very little chance of getting pregnancy; called ‘Ectopic Pregnancy’.
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