When It's Time To See A Gynecologist

Did you know that girls typically start their period at age 12 - and the average age that a woman enters menopause is 51 years old? That's approximately 40 years of menstruation. Some gynecologic issues are nothing more than a nuisance, but others can be more serious.

But how do you know what's normal and what's not? Our expert team of Franciscan Health gynecologists provides helpful guidelines on when to wait it out versus when to take action.

Common Gynecological Problems - and When to Seek Help

While women can face many gynecological problems during the pre-menopausal years, some issues are more common than others. The most frequently seen gynecological concerns include:

• Abnormal bleeding
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic pain
• Uterine fibroids

"Sometimes it's hard for women to know when to schedule an appointment and when to wait and watch," said Kourtney Morris, MD, a Franciscan Physician board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist at Franciscan Physician Network Obstetrics & Gynecology Lafayette.

"A good rule of thumb is to watch and wait for three months if you're experiencing bleeding irregularities," said Dr. Morris. "But if you're experiencing sudden pelvic pain, try to get in within a few weeks."

Abnormal Bleeding

Most women experience abnormal bleeding at some point in their lives - it's one of the most common reasons women schedule an appointment. Abnormal bleeding includes everything from mid-cycle spotting to heavy bleeding.

"I see a lot of women in my practice who have heavy, irregular, unexpected menstrual cycles throughout their lives," said John Monk, DO, a Franciscan Physician Network board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist in Crown Point. "They're either bleeding heavily with associated problems like anemia, fatigue, losing work days, really affecting their activities of daily living. A lot of women I see in the office with just unexpected menstrual cycles, those problems really affect everyday life and activities of daily living. All too often women tend to think these are normal or put off addressing issues because they don't think there's anywhere to discuss these problems or adequate treatment options."

Fluctuations in bleeding are often caused by changing hormone levels - a natural part of a woman's monthly cycle. Dr. Morris advocates the wait-and-see approach for abnormal bleeding and suggests keeping track of your bleeding in a calendar or journal.

"There are so many reasons a period can fluctuate, and one of the biggest reasons is normal hormone changes," said Dr. Morris. "Sometimes, you need to wait a few months to look for a pattern or see if it goes away on its own."

A growth or structural problem like a polyp or uterine fibroid can also cause abnormal bleeding, requiring medical intervention and removal. Kelli Crowley, MD, a Franciscan Physician Network board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist at Franciscan Physician Network Schererville Health Center, recommends a minimally-invasive procedure to remove the growth.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common and painful disorder in which uterine tissue grows outside the uterus - most commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the pelvis tissue. With endometriosis, the abnormal tissue thickens and bleeds with each menstrual cycle, with no way to exit the body. Teens and women in their early 20s are most commonly diagnosed with endometriosis.

Endometriosis can cause several issues, including:

• Cysts
• Irritation
• Excessive bleeding
• Scar tissue
• Fertility problems
• Pain during period, intercourse, urination or bowel movements

However, there is good news: there are many effective treatments available for endometriosis. The most common treatments are hormone therapy and surgical options - including laparoscopic surgery. In extreme cases when all other options are exhausted, your gynecologists might recommend a hysterectomy.

"While women with endometriosis frequently experience infertility difficulties, most women do go on to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies," said Dr. Morris.

She also stressed getting diagnosed early to begin treatment as soon as possible, as the condition worsens if left untreated.

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain is a general term that encompasses any type of pain - not just gynecologic pain - in the lowest part of the abdomen, between the belly button and groin.

Pelvic pain falls into two categories:

• Acute: The pain comes on suddenly but is short-term. Examples of acute pelvic pain include menstrual cramps, appendicitis and urinary tract infections (UTI).
• Chronic: The pain is constant or comes and goes for at least six months. Chronic pelvic pain includes endometrioses, pelvic inflammatory disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

If you're experiencing a sudden onset of pelvic pain, Dr. Crowley recommends scheduling an appointment to help rule out anything acute.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus. Many women have fibroids with no symptoms and may only have them diagnosed as part of a routine exam or ultrasound.

However, some women experience significant symptoms, including:

• Backaches
• Constipation
• Frequent urination
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Leg pain

Most uterine fibroids aren't dangerous, and typically gynecologists only treat fibroids that are causing symptoms. The most common fibroid removal procedure is a myomectomy, performed laparoscopically or robotically.

Don't Suffer in Silence: Your Gynecologist Can Help

The biggest takeaway: if you're experiencing painful gynecologic issues, schedule an appointment - help is available.

"Most women are open about discussing gynecologic problems, and almost all women can experience an improved quality of life after seeking treatment,” said Dr. Morris. “There are many options available to women."