What are the Common Gynecological Problems in Females?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of Common Gynecological Problems in Females?
Gynecological problems are disorders that affect the female reproductive system. The female reproductive system includes the breasts, uterus (womb), ovaries (egg-producing organs), fallopian tubes (tubes carrying the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus), and external genitalia or vulva (the accessory structures of the female reproductive system which lie external to the vagina).
Most women suffer from some kind of gynecological problem at some point in their lives. Gynecological problems can affect a woman’s sexual function and her ability to produce children. In some cases, gynecological disorders may be life-threatening.
In this article, we will be discussing in detail the common gynecological problems in females.
- What are the Common Gynecological Problems in Females?
- What are the various diagnostic tests for gynecological screening?
- How to prevent the Common Gynecological Disorders in Females?
What are the Common Gynecological Problems in Females?
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS: This is a condition in which a woman may suffer from infrequent or prolonged menstrual cycles. This condition occurs due to the appearance of several follicles on the ovaries, leading to a hindrance in releasing the egg.
( Know more about- What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ( PCOS ) ? )
Causes:
- Increased levels of androgen (male sex hormone) in the body
- Genetics
- Excessive insulin in the body
Symptoms:
- Obesity
- Acne
- Increased Risk of diabetes
- Infertility
- Menstrual problems
( Know more about- What are Irregular periods? )
Treatment:
- Exercise
- Yoga
- Medications for symptomatic relief
( Know more about- What is Ovarian Cyst Removal Surgery? )
- Vaginitis: Inflammation in the vagina, which is commonly seen in women of reproductive age is known as vaginitis.
Causes:
- Infections
- Sexually transmitted diseases
( Know more about- What are Sexually Transmitted Diseases? )
- Taking antibiotic medications
- Fluctuations in hormone levels
( Know more about- What is Hormonal Imbalance in Females? )
- Use of spermicidal creams (as a birth control method)
Symptoms:
- Pain on urinating ( Know more about- Urine Pain )
- Vaginal irritation (Know more about- Vaginal Irritation )
- Vaginal itching
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Treatment:
- Prescription medications
- Gels
- Creams
- Dysmenorrhoea (Painful periods): When a woman experiences pain during her menstrual cycles, the condition is known as dysmenorrhoea.
Types:
- Primary dysmenorrhoea: This condition is not associated with pelvic (area below the stomach region) diseases.
- Secondary dysmenorrhoea: This condition is associated with underlying pelvic disorders.
Causes:
The cause of primary dysmenorrhoea is:
- Prostaglandins (the natural chemicals in the body)
- Causes of secondary dysmenorrhoea include:
- Fibroids (non-cancerous masses that form inside a woman’s uterus)
- Endometriosis (a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus)
- Adenomyosis (a condition in which an endometrial tissue exists and grows into the muscular uterine wall)
Symptoms:
- Intense abdominal pain, sometimes extending up to the lower back
- Cramping
( Know more about- Lower Back Pain During Periods )
Treatment:
- Painkiller medications
- Treatment for the cause of dysmenorrhoea
( Know more about- What are the causes of Ovulation Pain? )
- Urinary tract infection or UTI: It is one of the most common gynecological problems faced by women of all age groups. This condition normally occurs when the bacteria that are present in the vagina or anus (from where the stools are passed out), move up to the urethra (duct from where the urine is passed from the bladder to outside the body) and bladder (where the urine is stored), and sometimes even the kidneys.
Causes:
- Problems with the pelvic muscles or nerves
- Narrow urinary tract
- Blockage in the bladder, urethra, or kidneys
( Know more about- What is Urinary Bladder Cancer Treatment? )
Symptoms:
- Burning sensation on urination
- Cloudy urine
- Strong odor
- Blood tinge in urine
( Know more about- What is Blood in urine? )
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Backache
Treatment:
- Antibiotics, the dosage, and duration depending on the severity of the infection
- Fibroids: These are muscular, mostly non-cancerous tumors that can form in the uterus of a woman. They usually vary in size, shape, and location.
Causes:
- No known cause
- Genetics or hormones may be responsible for fibroid formation
Symptoms:
- Heavy periods
- Pain during sex
- Pressure in the lower abdomen (stomach) region
- Bleeding in between the menstrual periods
Treatment:
- Surgery to remove the fibroids
( Know more about- What are Uterine Fibroids treatment? )
- Endometriosis: This condition occurs when the tissue that is normally lining the uterus, grows outside the uterus.
Causes:
- Hormonal disorders
- Genetic factors
- Immune (disease-fighting) system disorders
- Menstrual flow problems
( Know more about- What are Menstrual problems? )
Symptoms:
- Painful menstrual cramps
- Digestive problems
- Bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
( Know more about- What is Spotting? )
Treatment:
- Painkiller medications
- Hormonal therapies
- Surgery
Genital Herpes: This is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is characterized by blister and sore formations. It is a type of viral infection.
( Know more about- What is Genital Herpes? )
Causes:
- Vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner
Symptoms:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Muscle pain
- Sores or blisters on or around the genital organs
Treatment:
- Oral medications
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: This condition affects the upper genital tracts of a woman’s body, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, pelvic peritoneum (a membrane lining the pelvic cavity), and other surrounding structures.
( Know more about- What is Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases? )
Causes:
- Multiple sexual partners
- History of pelvic inflammatory disease
- Use of intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) (a plastic or copper implant placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy)
Symptoms:
- Lower abdominal pain
- Pain during sex
- Abnormal discharge from the vagina
- Vaginal bleeding
- Fever
- Lethargy
( Know more about- Normal Delivery But Abnormal Bleeding )
Treatment:
- Antibiotic medications
Dyspareunia (Painful sexual intercourse): Pain during sex may occur due to structural problems in the female body or due to psychological reasons.
Causes:
- Vaginitis
- Narrow vagina
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Infection of the vulva
- Thick hymen (a thin piece of tissue that covers the external vaginal opening)
Symptoms:
- Pain during sexual penetration
- Pain that lingers for a couple of hours after intercourse
- Thrusting
Treatment:
- Get sexual education
- Treatment depends on the cause of pain
( Know more about- What is Labiaplasty? )
- Ovarian cysts: Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled pouches or sacs present in the ovaries. They are very common and affect women of any age group.
Causes:
- Severe pelvic infections
- Hormonal disorders
- Endometriosis
Symptoms:
- Bloating
- Pain in the abdominal region
- Swelling in the abdominal region
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Treatment:
- Oral medications
- Surgery
( Know more about- What is C section Delivery? )
What are the various diagnostic tests for gynecological screening?
- Physical examination: The patient should be examined clinically. This includes noting down the symptoms of the patient, medical history, and family history of the patient.
- Breast examination, abdominal examination, and pelvic examination: The doctor should examine the breasts, external genitalia, rectum, inside of the vagina, and cervix (the lower end of the uterus) thoroughly.
- Pap smear: Vaginal and cervical smears are taken by the doctor to check for cervical cancer.
- All sexually active women above the age of 21 should be screened regularly, once every six months.
- Imaging tests: Imaging tests like x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and pelvic ultrasounds may be recommended to obtain clear images of the female reproductive organs.
- Urine tests: These tests help in diagnosing any underlying infections.
( Know more about- What is Colposcopy? )
How to prevent the Common Gynecological Disorders in Females?
Common gynecological disorders can be prevented by:
- Have protected sex ( Know more about- What is Condom ? )
- Eat a healthy diet
- Take proper rest
- Exercise regularly
- Manage stress
- Get adequate sleep ( Know more about- Tips for better sleep at night )
- Maintain vaginal hygiene
- Wash genital area with warm, clean water and then dry it well every day
- Change the underwear regularly
- Avoid tight-fitting underwear
- Change sanitary pads every 4 hours during menstruation
- Do not share your underwear and towel
- Do not clean deep inside the vagina
- Do not use strong washes for cleaning the genital
- Take regular screenings and go for periodic gynecological checkups
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding Common Gynecological Problems in Females through this article.
If you need more information related to common gynecological problems in females, then you can contact a Gynecologist.
We only aim to provide you with information through this article. We do not recommend any medicine or treatment. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
