There are certain situations that really warrant making a visit to a gynaecologist’s clinic. In this article, we identify 7 such scenarios. And for each situation, we explain why seeing the gynaecologist is important. All in all, these are situations that would even justify setting up an appointment with a private gynaecologist clinic.
What role does the gynaecologist play?
The gynaecologist is a woman’s reproductive health partner. So this is a doctor with specialist training in the area of women’s reproductive health. As such, the gynaecologist can help with issues that affect:
- The vagina
- The cervical opening
- Womb (uterus)
- The woman’s ovaries
- The fallopian tubes
- A woman’s breasts
It is also the gynaecologist who performs tests like pelvic exams and pap smears. Further, this is the doctor who conducts the well-woman exam (which women need on annual basis).
Which situations warrant seeing a gynaecologist?
Some of the specific situations in which seeing a gynaecologist is really necessary include:
1. If you are getting periods that are abnormal or painful
There are normal period symptoms. Then there are abnormal ones. The abnormal ones may be characterized by things like
- Unusually heavy bleeding
- Unusually painful cramping (especially during and before the cycle)
- Any bleeding that goes on for more than 7 days
- Unexpected bleeding (on days/weeks when your period is supposed to be over)
Granted, factors like medications, travel and weight changes can cause slight variations in women’s periods. But these should self-correct within a short duration of time. If variations in your periods seem to persist, it is time to see a gynaecologist. At the very least, you can book private GP London clinic appointment on the issue, or go through the motions of waiting for an NHS appointment.
2. If you are experiencing vaginal bleeding that is abnormal
There is some degree of vaginal bleeding (outside periods) that is still regarded as normal. An example of that is the light spotting that some women experience while ovulating. Another example is of the bleeding that you may have if you fail to take your birth control pill on time. Or if you are starting on a new birth control pill.
However, there are scenarios where bleeding outside of the period is cause for major concern. Those include instances of :
- Bleeding in the course of pregnancy
- Experiencing any bleeding after menopause
- Generally any inexplicable bleeding that occurs between periods
Of particular concern is any case of bleeding after menopause. It can be indicative of cancer in some cases (but not all). So it is something worth visiting a gynaecologist about.
3. In case you experience pelvic pain
This pain may manifest in course of activities like sexual intercourse or exercise.
In some cases, alongside pelvic pain, you may experience symptoms like abdominal bloat. In the worst cases, some degree of vomiting may be seen too.
Pelvic pain is a reason to see your gynaecologist because it is often an indication of an ovarian cyst. You don’t have to wait until it gets to a point where it requires emergency care. You need to beware that some of these cysts can actually be cancerous.
On another note, it is worth understanding that pelvic pain can also be due to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can lead to loss of fertility, if not urgently and properly treated.
On yet another note, the pelvic pain could be due to endometriosis. But in that case, the pain would be of more chronic (lasting) rather than sudden nature.
In the end, we see that are many worrisome things that can cause pelvic pain. Therefore it is not something to take lightly. It is something that can even warrant a private gynaecologist London clinic appointment.
4. If you have menopause-related symptoms
The gynaecologist can help you in figuring out which symptoms are normal, and which ones may be abnormal. Further, the gynaecologist can answer questions on how to best cope with the distress that follows these symptoms. We also have the fact that the doctor can help you understand what to expect going forward, as your menopause journey plays out.
Now in order to understand what is happening (in this menopause context), hormonal testing may be necessary. This can be done prior to the appointment. Then the discussion that the gynaecologist has with you later can be informed by the test results.
5. In case you have pain or lumps in your breast(s)
Usually, the gynaecologist will order a mammogram to understand the seriousness of the breast pain or lumps. Another commonly ordered test is the breast ultrasound. But before all those, the gynaecologist can palpate the breast, gain proper insight into the issue, and advise you on the best way to proceed. In case the problem seems to be an infection while breastfeeding, the gynaecologist can initiate treatment right away. But if it is anything else causing lumps or pain in the breast, radiological evaluation may be needed, before proceeding.
6. In case you have urinary problems
UTIs can at times be very troublesome. If you have a UTI that doesn’t seem to be responding to normal antibiotic treatment, then it becomes a major issue. It is certainly something worth seeing a gynaecologist about. In case it happens to be beyond the gynaecologist’s scope of treatment, they can make a further referral to a urologist.
7. If it is time for your well-woman exam
The well-woman exam comes annually. In the course of it, the likes of pap smear, pelvic, and breast tests may be carried out. Don’t regard the well woman exam as a mere formality. It can really make a difference. Thus even if you aren’t due for a pap smear in a given year, it is still essential to go for the well-woman exam. It is a chance to have a discussion with the doctor on any gynaecological issues you may be having. And besides the pap smear, the well woman exam also provides an opportunity for other tests. Those may include the likes of mammograms and bone density tests, as per the gynaecologist’s assessment. Thus the annual well-woman exam is yet another situation where you really need to visit a gynaecologist.
Our Private GP London clinic has an in-house gynaecologist to help with all these situations. Book private GP London clinic appointments at your convenience.
