Many women feel nervous or uncertain before a visit to their gynecologist. To some, it means accepting that your body has changed and that you’ve taken the step from girlhood into womanhood. There are even some women who avoid the visit well into adulthood, for many different personal reasons. Going to see a gynecologist, a doctor who focuses on women’s reproductive health, means you’re taking responsibility for your body in new ways.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that teenage girls start seeing a gynecologist between the ages of 13 and 15. Seeing a gynecologist can:
- Help you understand your body and how to care for it
- Give you and the doctor a sense of what is normal for you so you can notice any problem changes, like signs of a vaginal infection
- Let the doctor find problems early so they can be treated
- Explain what a normal vaginal discharge should look like and what could be a sign of a problem
- Teach you how to protect yourself if you have sex
Your gynecologist can answer any questions you have about the many changes that may be happening to your body. It’s great to build a relationship with your gynecologist over the years, so he or she understands your health and what matters to you.
- Changes in your period: If you stop getting your period, or it is irregular, you should check with you gynecologist immediately. That kind of change in your period often indicates that you could be pregnant.
- Menopause: During menopause, some women experience lighter periods, while others experience a heavier flow. The frequency of cycles can also change during menopause. Most women start menopause in their early 50s, but some start earlier, and others later. If you are approaching the onset of menopause and notice a change in your menstrual cycle, check with your gynecologist to rule out the possibility of pregnancy, or another condition.
- Irregular bleeding: If you notice any bleeding that is not associated with your period, such as bleeding during or after intercourse, you should check with a gynecologist as soon as possible. If you are pregnant and experience vaginal bleeding, you should also make a point to see your doctor right away. Bleeding during intercourse can indicate injury to the cervix. Vaginal bleeding can also be a sign of other conditions, such as uterine polyps and fibroids, or even a sign of cervical or uterine cancer.
- Pain or discomfort: If you’re experiencing vaginal itching and burning and you can’t identify the source, you should also see your doctor. Vaginal discomfort is not only unpleasant, but it could be a sign of urinary tract infections, bacterial infections, yeast infections, and some sexually transmitted diseases. These conditions can all be treated or managed once diagnosed by a gynecologist.
Women seek obstetrical and gynecological health care at many different stages of their lives for many different reasons and look for a combination of both highly skilled and compassionate health care qualities in providers and settings.
To learn more about when to see your gynecologist, call University OB/GYN Associates at (315) 464-5162 to request an appointment, or request your appointment online.
