Common Gynecological Problems and Conditions

Although irregular cycles or painful monthly cramps can be common issues affecting women, they are by no means something that women must adjust to as their norm. Many intervention methods, both surgical and medical, exist to relieve and in many cases cure symptoms of conditions ranging from menstrual disorders to urinary incontinence. Speak with your clinician if you are experiencing especially painful cramps, severe abdominal pain, or heavy and/or prolonged bleeding between periods or during intercourse, as they could be signs of a more serious women’s health issue.

Common gynecological problems include:
    •    Cervical Dysplasia
    •    Menstrual Disorders
    •    Pelvic Floor Prolapse
    •    Pelvic Pain
    •    Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
    •    Uterine Fibroids
    •    Urinary Incontinence

Cervical Dysplasia
Cervical dysplasia is a precancerous condition of the cervix, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical dysplasia usually appears without symptoms, therefore it is important to see your OB-GYN for an annual exam, as well as regular pap smears after the age of 21, to screen for any abnormal cells. 

Patients ages nine to 26 can receive an HPV vaccine to protect against the four most common strains of the virus. The recommended age is between nine and 11 before your child becomes sexually active, and both boys and girls can receive the vaccine.

Menstrual Disorders
Heavy or prolonged  menstrual bleeding, bleeding with intercourse, bleeding between periods and especially painful cramps can be signs of a menstrual disorder in women of menstruation age. Depending on the menstrual cycle problem or condition and the severity, medical and/or surgical intervention methods are available.

Pelvic Prolapse
The pelvic organs (the vagina, bladder, rectum and uterus) are held in place by connective tissue and ligaments within the pelvis. The physical stress of pregnancy and childbirth and weakening of tissue due to factors such as menopause and chronic constipation can lead to the walls of the vagina falling down. When this occurs, the pelvic organs behind the vagina (the bladder, rectum and uterus) fall down as well.

Chronic Pelvic Pain
The complexity of chronic pelvic pain can be baffling. A variety of health issues such as endometriosis, bladder pain syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) , pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, or uterine leiomyoma can account for the severe pain some 20 percent of women experience because of this condition. Defined as persistent pain between the belly button and pubic bone, that lasts for longer than six months, chronic pelvic pain most commonly strikes women. 

Uterine Fibroids
One of the most common benign tumors in women, uterine fibroids (also known as leiomyomas or myomas) develop in the uterus most typically during the childbearing years. Several different types of fibroids can develop in various places in and around the uterus:
    •    Submucosal fibroids develop under the inner lining of the uterus, distorting the normal contour of the cavity.
    •    Intramural fibroids grow within the uterine wall and can also eventually distort the shape of the uterus.
    •    Subserosal fibroids grow on the outside of the uterus, and can press on surrounding organs.
Linked to hormone levels, the growth of fibroids usually diminishes with the onset of menopause.

Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence, which is an inability to control release of urine, can be both a costly and embarrassing problem. Sometimes it can be caused by a temporary condition, such as a urinary tract infection, and other times urinary incontinence in women can be an ongoing issue caused by changes in muscles and nerves around the bladder.
Urinary incontinence is a common condition among women over the age of 35, and many patients feel it is an expected part of normal aging. This is not the case, and fortunately many treatment options are available for both types of urinary incontinence.
    •    Stress incontinence, causes loss of urine during physical activity, coughing, sneezing or laughing.
    •    Urge incontinence, which also causes an uncontrolled release of urine, is characterized by a strong, sudden need to urinate.