When it comes to gynaecology, it can be hard to know what’s normal and when you need to seek help. This is partly due to the fact we don’t talk about gynaecological health as openly as we should do – even though it’s an important part of our anatomy, and nothing to be ashamed of. Here are four symptoms you should never ignore:
1. Ongoing pelvic pain.
We experience pain for a variety of reasons. Most often, it’s nothing to worry about – but if the pain continues, it’s a good idea to get it checked out. This includes all types of pain felt below the bellybutton. Some conditions will cause you to experience sudden, sharp pain that comes and goes, whereas others can lead to mild, consistent pain that lingers for months.
There are many potential causes, including pelvic inflammatory disease, cysts and endometriosis. All of these can be treated successfully – but you should also be tested to rule out more serious causes.
2. Heavy periods.
Many women believe their heavy periods are normal, and nothing can be done to change them. However, that may not be the case. There may be a reason you’re experiencing heavy periods – especially if they have changed recently.
Heavy periods are common and, although it’s possible, rarely caused by serious conditions. However, there are many things that can be done to reduce the intensity of bleeding and improve your quality of life.
3. Abnormal bleeding.
There are many harmless reasons for abnormal bleeding, such as bleeding between periods. For example, if you’ve recently started taking a new contraceptive.
However, if the abnormal bleeding continues or you have any other worries, it’s best to get it assessed by a gynaecologist for peace of mind and to rule out any serious causes.
4. Pain during sexual intercourse.
Most of the time, pain during intercourse isn’t caused by life-threatening conditions – but, regardless of the cause, it has a huge impact on your quality of life and relationships.
Many women are embarrassed to seek help, but you don’t have to be. Gynaecologists are experts in dealing with these kinds of problems sensitively, and you will be treated with compassion and respect. Don’t suffer unnecessarily – once we find out what is causing the issue, we can help you take steps to overcome it.