From the reproductive years to menopause, there’s a lot that goes into caring for a woman’s health. Aside from the recommended screenings such as annual Pap smears and mammograms, many will experience pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. But, the health conditions specific to women hardly end there. There are many potential gynecological conditions that can arise throughout a woman’s lifetime, and proper diagnosis and treatment is key to maintaining health.
3 Common Gynecological Conditions
Although there are an overwhelming number of potential conditions, most of the issues that women encounter regarding their gynecological health can be categorized into one of the following:
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Abnormal bleeding is often the first sign of a gynecological condition, and it can signal anything from infection to miscarriage. Because women experience regular bleeding with menstruation, understanding what distinguishes bleeding as abnormal can be difficult. Some indicators that medical care may be necessary include bleeding or spotting that occurs between periods or during pregnancy, or menstrual bleeding that is exceptionally heavy or long-lasting.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium tissue which usually grows inside the uterus, is found outside the uterus, often on pelvic organs. Just like the normal endometrium, this tissue breaks down with hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, it has nowhere to go afterward and can lead to complications including pain, excessive bleeding, scar tissue, and infertility.
Abnormal Pap Smear
Annual Pap smears are an important part of monitoring a woman’s gynecological health, and for the most part, these tests come back negative, meaning no abnormalities have been found. However, there are circumstances when a test result may be positive, indicating some level of abnormality in the cells of the cervix. In these cases, follow-up tests and treatment may be required, depending on the suspected cause.
Any change in gynecological health can be worrisome. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, these symptoms do not point to a major health concern. Still, understanding these conditions and what next steps may be required is critical to remaining healthy and preventing future complications. Learn more about these three common gynecological conditions, their symptoms, diagnostic tests, potential results, and treatment options in our free, informative guide. Simply click below to request your own downloadable copy.
