Withholding certain aspects of your personal life from your gynecologist can be tempting -- after all, gynecology deals with the most intimate aspect of your life, and it can be difficult to tell a medical professional things that you wouldn't even tell your best friend. However, withholding information from your gynecologist may have serious health consequences. Following are seven things that you should never keep from your gynecologist.
You Have Multiple Partners
Your doctor doesn't care if you are dating multiple people and engaging in sex with them -- he or she just needs to know what types of health conditions that you're at risk of developing. For instance, certain symptoms in young, sexually active women may point to different causes than their counterparts in post-menopausal women who don't have sex on a regular basis.
Your Gynecological History
The more your gynecologist knows about you, the better he or she is able to provide you with individualized care. Your doctor should know whether you've ever had an STD or vaginal infection and what type of birth control you have used in the past. It's also important for your doctor to know whether you have ever had a miscarriage or an abortion as well as any past pregnancies that have come to term.
You Have Unusual Odors
Strange odors coming from "down under" could be a potential sign of a serious health concern such as a vaginal infection, although minor changes around the time of your period are considered perfectly normal. Always alert your gynecologist as soon as possible in the event that you notice strong smell that's not a part of your general picture, especially if it returns quickly after performing your normal cleansing routine. One of the most common causes of this condition is that a piece of a tampon or even a whole one has somehow become lodged in your cervix, and these may lead to toxic shock syndrome. Your doctor will be able to remove the tampon safely.
You Have Unusual Discharge
Unusual discharge is another indication that you may have an infection in the vagina. For instance, thick, white discharge that resembles cottage cheese is a typical sign of a yeast infection. Yellow or green discharge may also be cause for concern, particularly if accompanied by an unpleasant odor. Occasional clear discharge that does not have an abnormal odor is usually considered normal, although you should definitely tell your doctor if it's excessive.
You Have Abnormal Bleeding
Abnormal bleeding indicates a variety of potential conditions. If you experience bleeding after sex on a regular basis, it could mean anything from vaginal dryness, benign cysts, or precancerous conditions in the cervix. Spotting between periods should always be checked out as well, and if you're past menopause, any bleeding should be reported to your gynecologist as soon as possible.
You Have Pain or Discomfort During Intercourse
Discomfort or pain during intercourse is another condition that could have a huge variety of causes. One of the most common reasons women experience this is called vulvodnia, and hypersensitive nerve endings are usually the culprit. It may also be possible that you're experiencing a side effect of your birth control. Whatever the cause, your doctor can help you get back on track to a vibrant sex life.
You're Planning a Pregnancy
Many women wait until after they've taken a home pregnancy test that provided a positive outcome to tell their doctors that they've decided to start a family or add to an existing one, but it's better to talk with your gynecologist as soon as possible after making the decision to become pregnant. Your doctor will be able to provide you with advice on nutrition and other important aspects of preparing your body for pregnancy.
For more information, check out gynecologists' sites like http://www.centraliowaobgyn.com.
Share5 July 2017
Menopause took me by surprise. I thought only women in their 50s and 60s went through it, but I was in my late 30s when I entered this stage in my life. After talking to my OB/GYN, I discovered that my mother's early menopause played a major role in why I started so early. It was challenging to unexpectedly find myself dealing with the emotional and physical aspects of menopause. I soon discovered that I was not alone. There are many other women who started menopause at an early age and they were just as nervous as I was. I started this blog to give voice to those women and to provide emotional support.
