8 Gyn Question : Questions To Ask A Gynecologist

Menstrual Cycle

As a woman, it is very crucial to discuss your menstrual cycle with the gynecologists’. The menstrual cycle could help to know if there is an underlying medical issue with your body.

The reason behind this is because heavy or irregular periods could mean different things for different women. So if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned below then you should discuss them with your Gynecologists’.

There could be situations where you might experience bleeding even after menopause. Or sometimes you could experience a very heavy period in which you may soak up a single pad or a tampon every one to two hours.

Additionally, though some clotting is normal, passing large clots of blood could be a cause of concern during your menstrual cycle. So if you experience any of these symptoms, then you should discuss them with your Gynecologists’.

There could be a plethora of reasons for heavy or irregular periods like hormone imbalance, uterine cancers or polyps, and uterine fibroids. Moreover, if you experience painful periods, then they might be a sign of pelvic diseases or uterine fibroid.

Hence, if you share your menstrual history with the gynecologist, he or she could help you to know the reason behind your abnormal periods and the pain.

Generally, an irregular menstrual cycle could range anywhere from 21 to 35 days. But if you observe any abnormalities in your menstrual cycle, then you may speak with your gynecologists’. Though irregular periods can be normal during your adolescent age, they are not normal as you mature.

Low libido

Another important aspect that you could discuss with your gynecologist is having a low libido. Talking with your gynecologists’ on this issue could help you to determine its cause. Sometimes the major reason behind libido could be any underlying medical issue or it might even be due to the consumption of different medications.

So once you discuss your low libido issue with your gynecologist, he or she could help you to perform several medical interventions or steps that may be necessary.

However, the major cause behind the low libido issue sometimes might even be affected by things that you have no control on, like work pressure or stress. The women who have been in long-term relationships might also feel it difficult to be aroused as compared to the women who are in the early stages of their relationship.

So in such circumstances, your gynecologists’ may help you to naturally enhance your libido.

Sexual History

It is very crucial to be completely honest with your gynecologist related to your sexual history. Sometimes your gynecologists’ may ask you certain questions like the number of partners you have had in your past life or your age when you first had your intercourse.

You should not feel uncomfortable with these questions, rather answer them honestly. The gynecologists’ may ask for these questions due to a plethora of reasons. Let’s have a look at them.

Firstly, your gynecologist could be interested in your sexual history because he or she may want to determine the several risk factors for HPV infection or cervical dysplasia. Additionally, if you have sex when you are not an adult, then it could amplify your chances of HPV.

This is simply because once you are younger, the cervical vagina junction is more pronounced. Moreover, if you have had more partners then it could also increase your susceptibility to infections.

Another important reason for you to discuss your sexual history with the gynecologist vividly is that he or she could help you to provide the best possible care.

Pregnancy Or Trying To Conceive

It is very crucial to discuss with your gynecologist about pregnancy or when you are trying to conceive. Numerous causes might lead to pregnancy.

However, these causes differ from woman to woman. Due to this, you may share about your gynecologists’ when you are trying to conceive so that he or they could help you to overcome this problem in the best possible way.

Self-Breast Exams

As the name suggests, you should examine your breasts generally once a month that could help you to analyze any changes or symptoms or anything unusual.

Observing your breasts or self-breast exams for texture changes, enhanced sensitivity, or color changes is crucial. In case you notice, any hardened tissues, soreness, sensitivity, or lumps, then you should discuss this with your gynecologists’.

The gynecologist could help to determine the cause behind these changes and suggest you the necessary treatment.

Sexual Changes

In case you find out any sexual changes or modifications that prove to be uncomfortable, then you may discuss them with your gynecologists’. There are different sexual issues or modifications that you may face.

First of all, you may face pain while having sex. In such circumstances, you could try out different positions to find out the one that suits you the most. However, it is still important to consult your gynecologists’ in case you have pain while having sex or you bleed after intercourse.

Another sexual discomfort that you may face could be vaginal dryness during intercourse. Though dryness may be because of different factors like age, you should consult this issue with your gynecologists’. If you are young and consuming the birth control pills for a long time, then vaginal dryness might be due to the low levels of estrogen present in your body.

On the other hand, busy women might not be given much time to foreplay and arousal before intercourse that could lead to dryness. No matter what is the reason in all such cases, your gynecologist might help you to treat the issue by providing you vaginal estrogen.

Another issue that you could discuss with your gynecologist is vaginal odor. Though it may be an uncomfortable topic, discussing it with your gynecologist is important. Having a specific odor is normal.  However, any change from the normal smell might be a sign of bacterial overgrowth or even any infection. So it is important to talk to your gynecologists’ about the vagina odor as well.

Swelling Bumps Or Growths

Sometimes you might notice a growth or a swelling bump around your labia or in your vagina. It could be an ingrown hair, a pimple, a cut resulting from shaving, or even something more concerned.

Bumps could be a sign of benign, but it is crucial to confirm for the same from your gynecologists’. So if you think that a swelling bump lasts for more days, then it is crucial to get an examination performed by your doctor and discuss it with your Gynecologists’.

Birth Control Methods

As mentioned earlier, you may discuss with your gynecologists’ when you are trying to conceive. In the same manner, you should also discuss with your doctor the different birth control methods and symptoms that can help you to evade pregnancy. This is because since your gynecologist knows about your medical and sexual history, he or she could be the best person to tell you about the right birth control method for you.

The different birth control options that your gynecologists’ might provide you are-

• Birth control pills are one of the most common and effective forms of birth control. These pills are 91% effective in helping you to avoid pregnancy. Since there are plenty of brands of birth control pills, your Gynecologists’ could help you to find the right pill. He or she could also let you know the different side effects of the birth control pills like weight gain, nausea, mood changes, etc.
• A birth control patch, also known as Xu lane, is another type of birth control method. As the name suggests, you need to wear this patch on any part of your body. However, it is most commonly worn on the buttocks, lower abdomen, or even the upper body. Just like the previous method, the birth control patch is also 91% efficacious in evading pregnancy if used correctly. You need to change the patch weekly for three weeks and then leave it if for one week during your menstruation cycle. This patch even has certain side effects like migraine, breast tenderness, mood changes, and nausea.
• If your gynecologist thinks that an intrauterine device for birth control is effective for you, then you could have several choices like Skyla, Paragard, Mirena, or kylena.

  The intrauterine devices are 99% effective in evading pregnancy. However, these devices even have certain side effects, like regular bleeding during the initial few months, acne, headaches, or nausea.

• The options for birth control do not end here. Your gynecologists’ may even recommend you a NuvaRing. This ring is a flexible plastic ring that could be placed at the base of your cervix. You need to change the ring at least once a month. The Nuva Ring is also 91% effective in evading pregnancy if used correctly. However, it also has certain side effects, like spotting, migraines, mood changes, and nausea.