Is My Yearly Pelvic Exam the Only Time I Need to See the Gynecologist?
No, several circumstances may occur during the rest of the year. Consult your Ob/ Gyn whenever you experience abnormal signs and symptoms. These signs and symptoms include:
- Pelvic pain or menstrual cramps severe enough to disrupt your daily routine for even a few days a month.
- Abnormal bleeding occurs you must change sanitary napkins, tampons, or other menstrual products more often than once every two to three hours.
- Bleeding between periods.
- Any unusual discharge, pain, swelling, or itching of you vagina or lower abdomen.
Any of these symptoms can indicate a vaginal infection or sexually transmitted disease or STD which could affect your future fertility. They may also indicate other diseases such as:
- endometriosis,
- pelvic inflammatory disease,
- or a number of other reproductive disorders.
Of course, if you think you are pregnant, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible to help ensure a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.
Also see your gynecologist more often if:
- you plan of getting pregnant,
- you think you may have a sexually transmitted infection or have a partner who has STI,
- have a history of sexually related illness,
- or have a mother or sister who developed breast cancer before .
Consult your healthcare provider, if you notice any changes in your breasts such as puckering, dimpling, or other changes to the skin of your breasts; have newly retracted nipples, or discharge from your nipples, not associated with breast feeding; if there is any change in your breast size or shape; or if you experience an increase in breast pain, discomfort or emotional issues before your period.
