Women’s Health Alert: Top Gynaecological Concerns and How Screening Can Save Lives

 There is no single way a woman can live. Some build families early, some focus on career, and some balance both. Each journey, though uniquely theirs, is also shaped by milestones such as puberty, childbirth, menopause, and many other health-related events. Often, women prioritise their family or work, setting aside their own health until symptoms become difficult to ignore. But gynaecological conditions, related to women’s reproductive health and body functions, are manageable if addressed on time. Hence, screening tests for women assume high importance.

In this article, we discuss some common gynaecological conditions that affect women and the tests that can be done to screen for potential risks. For detailed discussions on gynaecological cancers,

Check out these blogs: https://starhospitals.in/blogs/understanding-ovarian-cancer
 https://starhospitals.in/blogs/closer-look-at-gynaecological-cancers

• Dysmenorrhea/ Painful Period

A small amount of pain and cramps associated with periods are normal and very common in women. However, extreme pain that interferes with the daily functioning of women is termed dysmenorrhea and is a condition that can benefit from medical attention. It can be of two major types:

1. Primary Dysmenorrhea

This is pain without any underlying reproductive pathology. Pain is more prominent soon after menarche (the starting of menstruation) and usually gets better with age. Pain is usually crampy, felt in the lower abdomen and may also spread to the lower back or thighs. This condition is diagnosed if no underlying causes are detected after testing.

2. Secondary Dysmenorrhea

This is period pain that has specific gynaecological conditions as causing factors. These could be endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic infection. This can appear anytime during a woman’s reproductive age and can worsen over time.

• Risks and Symptoms: The risk of dysmenorrhea increases with certain factors like early menarche, not giving birth, smoking, and a family history of gynaecological diseases. It can also be affected by psychological conditions like anxiety and depression. Along with period pain, some women also experience nausea, vomiting, bowel irregularities, and headache.
• Diagnosis and Management: Primary dysmenorrhea, once confirmed, can be managed by medically prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Hormonal contraceptives also help reduce pain. Non-drug management methods include the use of heating pads, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments.

Secondary dysmenorrhea demands detailed gynaecological examinations, including physical and imaging tests that can help figure out the underlying cause. It is essential to seek treatment once the condition is diagnosed to prevent further progression.

• UTIs

Urinary Tract Infection is a condition that many women suffer from at least once in their lives. For some, this can be a recurrent condition and may pose severe health challenges. UTI can be an infection of the urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys. Women are more vulnerable due to anatomical factors like a shorter urethra and hormonal influences.

• Risks and Symptoms: The risk of UTI increases with the use of certain types of contraceptive medicines like spermicides, catheterisation, post-menopausal changes, and sexual activity. It is manifested in the form of a burning pain during urination, frequent urge to urinate, cloudy and strong-smelling urine and discomfort in the pelvic area. If left untreated, it can lead to kidney damage and sepsis.
• Diagnosis and Management: UTI is diagnosed through urine analysis and assessment of the patient’s clinical history. Most of the time, the infection goes away when treated with a short course of antibiotics such as TMP-SMX. For recurrent and invasive cases, more severe methods may have to be adopted, like intravenous antibiotics and close monitoring of kidney function.
• Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are not as scary and strange as they may seem. Most women develop a cyst, a fluid-filled sac, in their ovary at least once in their lifetime, which goes away on its own without any symptoms. But ovarian cysts become concerning if a large number of them develop together and start interfering with the functioning of the ovaries (PCOS) or turn metastatic. This condition can even lead to infertility.

• Risks and Symptoms: Ovarian cysts are commonly found in women of reproductive age. It is affected by conditions such as a family history of ovarian, breast cancer or colon cancer and lifestyle factors such as obesity and certain drugs. Symptoms of ovarian cysts can vary according to the stage of invasion, but are generally characterised by a bloated tummy, lower abdominal pain, menstrual irregularities, and discomfort during intercourse.
• Diagnosis and Management: Ovarian cysts are diagnosed and assessed through a transvaginal ultrasound scan, along with MRI or other imaging tests. Tumour markers such as CA-125 also help in identifying the condition. Simple cysts usually go away on their own or through small lifestyle adjustments such as losing weight and exercise. Severe and advanced cysts may require the administration of drugs or surgical options.
• Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are also called myomas. These are benign, non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus’s smooth muscle tissues. They can be found inside, outside, or attached to the uterus wall and usually distort the uterine anatomy. They develop over time and may initially be asymptomatic.

• Risks and Symptoms: Common in women of reproductive age, it is also triggered by obesity, hypertension, pregnancy-related conditions, and family history. The common symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, long periods leading to anaemia, pelvic pain, changes in bowel and urinary habits, fertility-related complications, and risk during pregnancy.
• Diagnosis and Management: Uterine fibroids are usually identified through Ultrasound scans. Hysteroscopy is sometimes used to assess the distortion of the uterine cavity. MRI scanning is also used for surgical planning in cases of large tumours. Non-surgical options for the management of fibroids include hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, etc. Certain procedural therapies are found useful in managing fibroids, such as HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) and Uterine artery embolisation. In more advanced cases, fibroids are removed through surgical methods called myomectomy. Sometimes the whole uterus is removed when symptoms are severe and fertility can be compromised.
• Endometriosis

In endometriosis, the uterine lining tissue, called endometrium, grows outside of the uterus, causing structural and functional issues. This is mostly observed near the intestines, bladder, or bowels. This is a chronic, oestrogen-dependent condition. Globally, it affects about 10 per cent of women of reproductive age, and often has a delayed diagnosis.

• Risks and Symptoms: An early beginning of menstruation, short menstrual cycles with heavy flow and family history increase the risk for endometriosis. Low BMI and not getting pregnant also increased the risk. Endometriosis most commonly presents itself in the form of painful period, chronic pelvic pain and discomfort during sex. Fatigue, bloating and pain during urination and defecation are also common.
• Diagnosis and Management: The diagnosis of endometriosis becomes complicated due to the overlap of the symptoms with other gynaecological conditions. After a physical examination, imaging and laparoscopic examination are suggested to confirm the diagnosis. Hormonal therapy is commonly used to treat the condition. This is administered in the form of oral contraceptives and Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. Lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise also help manage the symptoms. In certain advanced cases, hysterectomy may be necessary.

How a Gynaecologist Helps

Each stage of life presents a different challenge in terms of women’s health. While in childhood and young adulthood, it may be related to period pain and sexual health, as she gets older, it could be related to pregnancy, menopause, and hormonal imbalances. Symptoms of many conditions that need medical attention are often ignored as normal and harmless. A gynaecologist can help you read the signs and guide you to taking the right tests to figure out the underlying causes of these signs. Routine appointments with the gynaecologist ensure you are closely observing changes in your body and responding promptly. You can discuss the following with your gynaecologist during consultation:

• Physical examination, including BMI and vital signs
• Pelvic and breast examination
• Immunisation options against STDs

The gynaecology department in STAR Hospitals, Hyderabad, is one of the best in the country. If you or your loved ones are looking for expert gynaecological consulting and solutions in Hyderabad, STAR Hospitals is the best option. Along with providing the service of the best medical practitioners, we also ensure a comfortable environment where your concerns are addressed properly. Our department is backed by modern diagnostic technologies and a range of surgical and non-surgical treatment options.

Book an appointment with STAR Hospitals today. Monitor the signs, stay ahead, stay safe.

For more info: https://starhospitals.in/blogs/womens-health-top-gynaecological-concerns