As a woman, you need to beware of the major gynaecological disorder symptoms. You also need to know what you ought to do, upon noticing any of them. Most of these are the types of red flags that would warrant setting up an urgent appointment with a gynaecology clinic in London. Or wherever else you may be. To be sure, some of them are awkward symptoms. Discussing them – even with a doctor – may feel uncomfortable. But it is nonetheless something you need to do, in order to preserve your well-being.
The 5 major red flags of gynaecological disorders that you can’t afford to ignore are :
1. Vaginal discharge that is abnormal
Firstly, it is important to mention that there is normal vaginal discharge. For instance, the white sticky substance that may come out between your periods is normal. In fact, it is beneficial: as it helps in the vagina’s self-cleansing mechanism. By extension, this sort of discharge helps you avoid infections.
However, there is vaginal discharge that is abnormal. This is what you need to be on the lookout for. There are two features that distinguish abnormal vaginal discharge. Firstly, it has a strange colour. And secondly, it has a strange odour.
In some cases, abnormal vaginal discharge may be occurring due to certain hygiene products you are using. These could be scented soaps. Or they could be douches. It can also occur due to certain lotions or creams. What these sorts of products do is irritate the vagina. The end result is the production of abnormal discharge. Now if the abnormal discharge is due to this reason, the solution is simple. You simply cease using the culpable product. Then the irritation would stop, and the abnormal discharge ceases.
There are cases where the abnormal vaginal discharge is due to a more serious underlying reason. So it may turn out to be a sign of a disease like chlamydia or gonorrhoea. It may also be due to vaginitis. Or it could be a result of post-abortion complications. The discharge could even be a sign of cervical cancer. Clearly then, it is not something to wish away. If anything, it may even be worth visiting the best private GP clinic about this issue. That is especially if the GP clinic in question also happens to have an in-house gynaecologist.
2. Unusual bleeding from the vagina
There is normal vaginal bleeding. For instance, during periods, bleeding within certain parameters is normal. Even outside period, some types of bleeding may be quite normal. That is for instance the bleeding that occurs due to birth control pills, or because of other hormonal imbalances.
On the other hand, there is abnormal vaginal bleeding. This can happen outside the period. Or it may even happen during the periods. That may, for instance, manifest as periods that are too heavy, too long (or abnormally short). The abnormal bleeding may be a sign of an underlying problem, such as endometriosis. On another note, it may be due to a sexually transmitted infection. It may also signify an ovarian cyst or fibroids. And in case it is happening in a woman who is above 40, it may be a sign of cancer. Therefore it is a red flag you can’t afford to ignore.
So this may be yet another reason for booking an appointment with what you consider to be the best private GP clinic. That would apply if, in the said GP clinic, there is an in-house gynaecologist.
If you have doubts about whether any bleeding is normal or not, it may be ideal to have the gynaecologist check it out. That is better than allowing abnormal bleeding (and the underlying issue behind it) to continue festering.
3. Itchiness in the vagina
There is really no vaginal itchiness that can be termed as ‘normal’. Thus whenever you are feeling itchy down there, you should treat that as some sort of a red flag. It could be a symptom that you have a yeast infection. Or it could be symptomatic of another underlying sexual disorder. The itchiness could also be due to vaginal dryness (like that which is common in menopause). Therefore it is not something to ignore.
4. Pelvic pain
It is important to start by distinguishing pelvic pain from the usual period cramps. What sets it aside is the fact that the pelvic pain is of a dull, throbbing nature. Moreover, it is felt specifically in the lower part of the abdomen, as well as the entire pelvic region. In many cases, the pain is accompanied by some degree of thigh muscle tenderness. There can also be tenderness in the stomach, which manifests alongside pelvic pain.
The pelvic pain may in actual fact be a sign of a condition like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PIV). This can lead to dire complications, including loss of fertility. That is due to the damage it can inflict on the fallopian tubes as well as the uterus and the ovaries. The longer the PIV goes untreated, the greater the damage it may inflict on all parts of the reproductive system. Therefore it is something that requires very urgent attention. If the pelvic pain is not due to PIV, it may turn out to be on account of ovarian cysts. Or it may signify a non-gynaecological (but nonetheless serious) condition like appendicitis.
5. Frequent urge to urinate
Sometimes, feeling the urge to pee often may be an indication that you have a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). This is especially likely to be the case if you end up experiencing slight pain (that is sharp/stinging) while actually peeing. The specific UTI you are suffering from in that case may be something like cystitis.
Then again, the frequent urge to pee may be due to real, major gynaecological problems. It may be due to fibroids that are putting pressure on your bladder, making you continually feel that you need to pee. Or it may be due to ovarian cysts that are similarly pressing the bladder, making you continually feel that you need to urinate.
Therefore if this situation where you frequently feel like peeing persists, you should regard it as a major red flag.
