A gynecologist is a medical professional who primarily focuses on the female reproductive system. They are typically doctors you visit for annual checkups, pelvic pain, irregular menstruation, etc. It is essential to see a gynecologist when you experience these symptoms because they provide much more insight into your health than just regular family or primary care physicians. A routine checkup with Dr. Peter A Khamvongsa, a Miami-based gynecologist, might include STD testing and pregnancy options counseling, pap smears and STI screenings, breast exams and mammograms, clinical breast exams, and pelvic exams. But why should you visit one? Here are some reasons to schedule an appointment with your gynecologist.
Period Issues
Your period is something you might not think about every day, but it’s essential to ensure that everything is working normally. Some things you should discuss at your appointment include the frequency of your periods (when they start and stop), whether or not you are experiencing any pain (dysmenorrhea) during your cycle, or if any abnormal things are happening during your period (severe bleeding, missed periods, etc.). It is also recommended to go if you are sexually active and experiencing regular menstrual cycles every year. If you have not started your period or are experiencing any of the above issues, then it is recommended that you make an appointment as soon as possible.
Urinary Leakage
Urinary leakage happens when you cannot control the flow of your urine. Urine leakage can be caused by stress urinary incontinence, more common in older women and pregnant women. Urge urinary incontinence is more common in younger females and occurs when a woman has an urgent need to urinate but no control over her bladder. Both of these are easily treated by your gynecologist and shouldn’t be something to worry about. When you visit a gynecologist for urinary leakage, they will perform pelvic floor exams and possibly ultrasounds on the bladder.
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain is more common in women who have never had children or given birth. Some causes of pelvic pain are cysts on the ovaries, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian torsion, fibroids, etc. Although many of these conditions are not dangerous, they should all be ruled out because it is better to know sooner rather than later if you have cancer or another illness. If you are experiencing any pelvic pain, a gynecologist can provide specific treatments to help alleviate your symptoms.
Abnormal Bleeding
Abnormal bleeding typically means unusual discharge from the vagina or blood from the vagina that occurs at irregular intervals. There are many possible causes for this, including endometriosis, when tissue forms on the outer lining of the uterus and causes pain, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection in your reproductive organs, ovarian cysts, etc. Abnormal bleeding is always a cause for concern, so it is essential to get checked by a gynecologist as soon as you start experiencing this condition.
In summary, a visit to your gynecologist should be an integral part of your health. If you have vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, irregular menstrual cycles, urinary leakage, or pelvic pain, you may need to see one. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your gynecologist to discuss the issue and find out the best way to deal with it.
