Unfortunately, many women are in the habit of ignoring pain and discomfort. They either assume nothing is wrong, or they assume the problem will work itself out. Sometimes this is, indeed, the case, but other times, the symptoms being ignored really are indicative of a problem. This situation arises especially often in the realm of gynecological problems. So what are some symptoms that warrant a trip to the gynecologist's office? Take a look.
Spotting
Spotting, or bleeding between periods, can be more than an annoyance. For women who take birth control pills, it can simply be a side effect of the pills, especially during the first few months of use. However, it can also be a sign of hormone imbalances. Since hormone imbalances can be tied to various cancers and endometriosis, it's really important to have a gynecologist look into this one. They need to figure out why you have a hormone imbalance and make sure the cause is not anything too sinister. They may prescribe you pills to re-balance your hormones and help eliminate the spotting in the meantime.
Heaviness in the Pelvic Area
Some women periodically feel a sensation of heaviness and weight in the pelvic area. This is most likely to happen between periods. There's a tendency to ignore this sensation because it is not painful. However, the heaviness can be indicative of uterine fibroids or cysts, or of cysts on the ovaries. It is a common symptom of PCOS, or poly-cystic ovarian syndrome. These conditions can lead to a lot of worsening symptoms over the years, so it's a good idea to have them treated ASAP.
Abnormal Discharge
It is normal for women to have vaginal discharge that changes in consistency and quantity throughout the month. However, it is not normal for the discharge to be any color other than clear or white, or for it to have a texture similar to cottage cheese. If your discharge is brown, green, pink, or any other color, or if it seems thick and chunky, it is time to see a gynecologist. Most of the time, changes like this indicate some sort of infection — either fungal or bacterial — that requires treatment.
If your tendency so far has been to ignore various gynecological symptoms in hope that they'll sort themselves out, it is time for a change of strategy! Reach out to your gynecologist; they are there to help.
