The most common Gynecological Issue for females right from puberty till menopause is that of painful menstruation, and in some cases, PMS. Together they can create havoc for the better part of a woman’s monthly ovulation cycle. PMS or pre-menstrual syndrome, is the pain and discomfort that starts about a week before the actual bleeding begins. This also manifests itself in stress, irritability, water retention and sometimes, acne or just zits. About the time bleeding starts, this syndrome is replaced by abdominal discomfort, or in some cases, outright pain. This is a condition commonly known as dysmenorrhea. Studies indicate that almost 60% women suffer from this condition, and in all good faith, it is not a disease, However, this is an issue that creates trouble for a few days every month in the woman’s life. The only way out then is to take painkillers or more homegrown methods like a hot water bottle.
Women’s gynecological issues –Endometriosis
Endometrial tissue is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, making it ready to carry a baby. In some cases this tissue starts growing outside of the uterus and disrupts the functioning of other organs. It usually develops in the pelvis area, and growth is usually in the tissues on the lower abdomen, the ovaries, even on the fallopian tubes and on the bladder. Sometimes in rare cases, it reaches till the wall of the rectum and even the intestines. In fact is affects all the organs in the lower abdomen. The tissue that grows outside behaves similarly to tissue that grows within the uterus, and sometimes even oozes blood during the menstrual cycle. It can cover the ovaries and block the fallopian tube, and often forms large cysts called chocolate cysts that contain thick blood mixed with some tissue. The most logical reason for this condition is that sometimes a bit of menstrual fluid finds its way upwards into the fallopian tubes instead of running out downwards into the vagina. Technically endometriosis happens because of a failure in the immune system that fails to identify foreign tissue growing outside of an organ and destroy it.
In most cases the high risk woman is one who has abnormal bleeding, abnormal cycle or a genetic history of the disorder.
The most important symptoms of this disorder are pelvic pain, painful menstruation, spotting before the actual menstruation starts, in some cases, blood in the stool or urine, backache and sometimes even miscarriages. Without treatment, endometriosis could last up to menopause, when the falling hormone levels automatically take care of the islands of growth. or else, if diagnosed, there may be treatments on various levels. For pain management only, painkillers can be used, sometime combined with hormones for limiting or totally eliminating extra tissue. Sometimes the doctor may suggest surgery specially if the extra growth are interfering with the functioning of other organs.
Fibroids
Almost a third of the women above 35 across the world suffer from fibroids. Fibroids are pinkish lumps inside the uterus, ranging from a few cms to a few inches in diameter. These are not malignant but can interfere with the fertility of a woman. No one knows why they happen; it could be due to some hormones at play.
Most women cannot find out they have fibroids because there are not really any typical symptoms. However some women do complain of painful and heavy menstruation with some spotting between periods too. Sometimes a woman complains of lower back pain or abdominal swelling and in most cases repeated miscarriages motivate the doctor to check for fibroids. Then it can be detected using pelvic ultrasound examination or by physical means of seeing inside the uterus, like a hysterosalpingogram.
Fibroids can be surgically removed but can also grow back, since hormones will support their growth right up to menopause. For women who would like to have babies, laproscopy is a non-invasive surgery to get rid of the growths, because a surgery can weaken the uterus wall. There are other options that can weaken and kill the fibroids by cutting off blood or hormones supply to them. In the past the uterus had to be removed but women today have the option of not doing so.
(PID) Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
This is an infection in the female reproductive organs, the uterus, fallopian tube and ovaries. The infection, which usually affects sexually active women, is widely believed to spread through sexual contact. The scarring that results in the fallopian tube and even the uterus may lead to infertility in some women, and that is sad because PID is completely curable.
The infections start with the mouth of the uterus and travel up to the other organs, fallopian tubes or ovaries. In many cases the same bacteria that cause Sexually Transmitted Diseases like gonorrhea can cause PID also. The most common symptom of PID is pelvic pain, fever and nausea. However, these could be symptoms of many other problems too, so one may need a laboratory swab for testing. Sometimes the organ affected can be identified by a physical examination, to see which ones are tender and swollen. Sometimes an ultrasound is needed to identify the location of infection, abscess or infected fluid.
The only way to prevent PID is to stay in a one-partner sexual relationship, and use condoms. The treatment, as in most infections, is with antibiotics. It is not advisable to have sexual intercourse till the infection is finished, and also to get the partner also treated.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
This is one of the most complicated disorders in women’s gynecological issues. Poly cysts mean multiple cysts, only in this case these are eggs that are still in their follicle, and the ovaries are unable to shed them. This is due to hormonal activity. The result is that a woman cannot conceive and the uterine lining that prepares for pregnancy is weak, raising the risk of disease like cancer. The androgen hormones in a woman’s body are responsible for this condition. These very hormones can also cause cosmetic problems in a woman’s body – increased facial hair, or acne. This disorder also encourages high levels of insulin in the body, exposing the woman to a higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol problems.
The most common symptom of polycystic ovaries is irregular or even absent menstrual periods. Persistent obesity and difficulty in conceiving accompanied by thick hair growth, darkened pubic skin and a high blood sugar or cholesterol levels, could all be symptoms of this disease.
Since this disease lasts till the ovaries stop producing eggs, i.e. till menopause, the way out is to have a healthy lifestyle, to avoid the complications of blood pressure and high cholesterol. Doctors also prefer to restore a regular menstrual cycle to fight the risk of malignancy in layers of unshed uterine lining. In case the patient wants to conceive, medication can help. One way to control the hormonal melee is to take birth control pills, so the production of eggs stops, reducing the cysts.
Gynecological Symptoms that require attention
Most of the symptoms that are given below can indicate some disorder or disease. However, many are hereditary in nature and don’t really need to set the alarm bells ringing.
1. Vaginal bleeding or discharge between periods.
2. Sores or pain in the vaginal area
3. Pelvic pain or abdominal swelling
4. Discomfort during intercourse
5. Persistent lower back ache
6. Unexplained absence or irregularity of the menstrual cycle