Most women head to the OBGYN once a year for a checkup, and after they find out they are pregnant. But your OBGYN is also there to treat any reproductive health issues that might pop up along the way. Here are seven changes that should prompt you to make an appointment with your OBGYN.
1. Changes in discharge.
If your vaginal discharge is any color other than white or clear, you may have a fungal or bacterial infection. Your OBGYN can diagnose you and prescribe the necessary antibiotics or antifungals to clear things up.
2. Pain During Sex
If sex has become painful, you could have any number of ailments from ovarian cysts to a hormonal imbalance. You deserve to enjoy sex again, and an OBGYN can figure out what is wrong so that you're able to do that.
3. Severe Menstrual Cramps
Minor cramps are not usually anything to worry about, especially if you have always had them. But if your cramps are bad enough to keep you home on the couch, something is amiss — possible endometriosis or PCOS.
4. Spotting
Spotting, or bleeding between periods, often indicates a hormone imbalance that could be due to ovarian cysts, reproductive cancer, or any number of other issues. It can also be a side effect of birth control, but don't just assume this; you don't want a serious health issue to go overlooked and passed off as a side effect.
5. Sores and Lesions
Any sore or lesion that you suspect might be more than an ingrown hair should prompt a visit to the OBGYN. It could be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection, or it could be a wart. In either case, it requires care.
6. Pelvic Pains
Sharp pelvic pains at any point in your cycle should be cause for alarm. They could signal anything from ectopic pregnancies to ovarian cysts. Whether the pains are occasional or persistent, they need to be looked into.
7. Bleeding After Menopause
If you have already gone through menopause and are experiencing some bleeding, this is a reason to see your OBGYN. Bleeding after menopause can indicate a hormone imbalance or certain cancers and is not ever normal.
If you experience any of the issues above or have other concerns about your reproductive health, call your obstetric clinic. They do a lot more than conduct regular PAP smears and help deliver babies.
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