 |
| 7 questions for your gynecologist |
Surely you would not miss a business appointment, or lunch with a childhood friend, much less a date with your partner. Equally important should be for you the annual commitment to visit your gynecologist or gynecologist. Make the most of that time with the specialist to ask everything that worries you about your health.
Your gynecologist's consultation is probably not the place you want to go to most often, but even so, this is an appointment you should never miss: in it the doctor will do a pelvic and breast exam, will take a Sample for the Pap test on the appropriate date (according to your age, when you had the previous one and if it was normal) and will discuss with you the contraceptive method that suits you best.
In addition to these routine procedures, take advantage of the appointment to ask any questions that concern you about your state of health. Keep in mind that there are no dumb questions, only dumb ones are not asked. For example:
1. Why is my menstrual period so irregular?
There are several possible reasons that you could have an irregular period and you will have to discard them until you find the precise cause. Occasionally, the menstrual cycle may fluctuate due to:
- Significant increase or loss of excess exercise weight
- Increased stress
- Lactation
- Give birth or have a miscarriage
- Caffeine abuse
Although these factors are common and can be treated, always consult your doctor in case you skip one or several cycles to be sure of the cause in your particular case.
2. Why do I have pain when having sex?
It is not normal to have pain during sex. You have to be specific in explaining to the doctor how and when it hurts. Do you feel pressure or pain at the time of penetration, at the entrance of the vagina? Then it may be due to lack of vaginal lubrication, inflammation or infection in the vulva, involuntary vaginal spasms (known as vaginismus), a reaction to some type of medication or as a result of injuries due to accidents or pelvic surgery. If the pain is deeper, the causes range from endometriosis to fibroids, uterine prolapse or cysts in the ovary. If a physical cause is not found, certain psychological factors may also come into play such as anxiety, depression, stress or trauma that may have left sexual or emotional abuse. Do not be ashamed.
3. Why do I have hot flashes and hot flashes?
Many women experience hot flashes or hot flashes at some time and do not always have to be due to perimenopause or menopause. They may be due to other conditions such as a problem with the thyroid.
4. When should I have my first mammogram?
This is one of the main questions that every woman should ask. In general, it is recommended that women have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 to 45 and every two after age 50. But if your family has had a history of breast cancer (breast cancer), it is recommended that you start checking yourself or more often. Each case is different. Follow the recommendations of your gynecologist.
5. Is it normal to have vaginal discharge?
Of course yes. Vaginal discharge drags out the dying cells in the walls of the vagina and is the body's natural way of keeping it clean and healthy. When it is normal it is light or whitish in color and has no smell. If it increases in intensity, changes color has a bad smell or becomes bloody, consult your doctor. It is possible that it is an infection, either by fungi or by bacteria. It may also be due to a sexually transmitted disease. In these cases, there are effective treatments, but you should attend as soon as possible.
6. What is the human papillomavirus?
The human papillomavirus is the one that has been associated with cervical cancer or cervical cancer (HPV or HPV is abbreviated for its acronym in English). It can also cause warts on the genitals. It is transmitted from one person to another when you have unprotected sex with an infected person. Many people have the virus and do not have cervical cancer, but many others do. It is considered that every year 11,000 women in the United States receive a diagnosis of cervical cancer (or cervix) and that 4,000 die each year from that disease in this country alone. According to the National Center for Epidemiology (INE) in 2002, the cervix was the second leading cause of cancer death in the world in women with 450,000 new diagnoses each year in the world. And 93% of the women who suffer from it were infected with the human papillomavirus (abbreviated HPV in Spanish. If you have a daughter between the ages of 13 and 26, She is a good candidate to be vaccinated against the virus as recommended by the CDC (Center for Disease Control). Ask the doctor for more information about the HPV vaccine and its advantages.
7. I have been trying to conceive without success for a year and a half. What I can do?
There are many reasons why the couple cannot conceive, and it is not always because of the woman. It will be necessary to start a series of fertility tests, both yours and your husband. Maybe it's just a matter of time, or maybe it's some other physical problem. But the best thing to do is consult a fertility specialist as soon as possible.
Surely you will have other questions, according to your health and your circumstances. It's a good idea to make a list of what worries you so you don't forget or miss it because of your nerves. In addition to these notes, you should keep other information: the date of the beginning of your last menstruation, as well as information about your medical history and those of your family.
Remember: your doctor will not mind if you ask, on the contrary, you will help him do his job better. So do not worry, it has already been asked!