As recommended by the American College of Obstetricians, women above 21 years should visit an OB/GYN once a year, mainly for a pelvic examination. Since cases of ovarian and cervical cancers have been on the rise, it is recommended to visit an obstetrician when you notice anything unusual in your reproductive system. As you know, preventive healthcare is the most effective defense against common gynecological problems. How do you tell if a particular symptom warrants urgent obstetric care?
Here are five indicators that you need to schedule an urgent obstetric checkup:
1. Smelling Vaginal Discharge
Although vaginal discharge is a regular and normal occurrence, it should worry you if it is foul-smelling and yellow or green. Always know that clear, watery, or white discharge is normal. This type of discharge is odorless. However, if the color and smell change, it's an indication of an infection, such as:
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Trichomoniasis
- Yeast infection
- Gonorrhea
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Cervical cancer
You should seek immediate obstetric care, especially if the discharge comes alongside other symptoms, such as fever, abdominal pain, fatigue, and increased urination.
2. Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain indicates a problem in your pelvic area, and you need urgent obstetric examination. During ovulation, it's normal to experience mild pain in the pelvic region. The pain also comes in the form of cramps during pregnancy. Other causes of pelvic pain that should worry you include:
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Ovarian cyst
- Fibroids
- Cervical, uterus, or ovarian cancer
- Endometriosis
3. Pain During Sex
If you experience pain during sexual intercourse, it's an indication that you don't have sufficient vaginal lubrication. However, vaginal dryness could be caused by other causes that can only be diagnosed by an obstetrician. Commonly, painful sex is attributed to various conditions, including:
- Vaginismus
- Vaginal infections, mainly yeast infections
- Problems with the uterus
- Problems with the cervix
4. Bleeding Between Periods
Typically, you will experience bleeding once a month during menstruation. What if you experience spotting or heavy bleeding one week after the end of menstruation? It could be a serious underlying condition that needs obstetric examination. The leading causes of bleeding between periods include:
- Stress
- Growth in the cervix or uterus
- Vaginal dryness
- Hormone imbalance
5. Prolonged Absence of Menstruation
What do you do if you don't have periods for months? The problem could be linked to natural causes, such as menopause, breastfeeding, and pregnancy. Other causes include:
- Birth control pills
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Stress
- Excessive weight gain
- Genital tract defects
- Pituitary gland problems
If you miss three consecutive periods and aren't pregnant or breastfeeding, you need to visit an obstetrician immediately.
As a woman, you can take charge of your health is by scheduling regular appointments with an obstetrician. In most cases, a minor symptom may signal a significant health problem, and obstetric care helps in the early detection and immediate treatment of common gynecological problems.
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