7 Embarrassing Things Your Gynecologist Should Know

Many women consider gynecological visits as something delicate and unpleasant. But regular gynecological check-ups are necessary, especially if you have certain health issues. First and foremost, you should be honest with your doctor and tell him or her everything that bothers you even if you think that it’s not important. In this article, we gathered seven embarrassing things your gynecologist should know.

1. The number of your sexual partners

You need to understand that your gynecologist will not judge you if you had more then one sexual partner. But you need to provide your doctor with this information in order to avoid certain complications. Your gynecologist can help you to choose contraception that’s most appropriate for you. 

Safe sex is preferred because it can prevent you from getting sexually transmitted infections that can lead to unpleasant consequences and affect your fertility over time. You should also know that such STIs as the human papillomavirus can increase your risk of getting cervical cancer. The use of male or female condoms can protect you from both unwanted pregnancy and STIs.

2. You experience pain and bleeding during sex

Sex may be a bit painful during the first sexual intercourse or if you choose an uncomfortable position. In other cases, sex should bring you pleasure and not pain. Constant pain during sexual intercourse may be a result of some health issues such as sexually transmitted infections or congenital pathology of the reproductive organs. That’s why it is important to let your gynecologist know about your pain in order to examine the problem and find the proper treatment.

One of the most common causes of pain during sex is vaginismus. This is a condition in which pelvic muscles are tight and sex becomes extremely painful or even unbearable. Vaginal dryness during menopause is also common. Ask your doctor about proper treatment options that can help you get rid of these painful sensations. Your gynecologist can recommend pelvic physiotherapy that can be very beneficial for those with vaginismus. Lubricants, dilators, and local estrogen therapies can also decrease painful sensations.

Bleeding during or after sexual intercourse can be a symptom of certain conditions or diseases. If you noticed bloody discharge after sex, you should visit your gynecologist as soon as possible. Vaginal or cervical bleeding can manifest an infection, inflammation, cervical polyp, or even cervical cancer.

3. You had unprotected sexual intercourse

Unprotected sexual intercourse increases your risk to get sexually transmitted infections. Some of STIs can be asymptomatic and lead to serious consequences such as pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility. Moreover, if you had unprotected sex, you have higher chances to conceive. An unplanned pregnancy can affect your health especially if you have some untreated problems with the reproductive organs. 

4. Irregular menstruations or other changes in cycle

If you noticed some changes in your menstruation cycle, you should inform your gynecologist about them. In most cases, problems with the cycle in young women can manifest certain hormonal or pregnancy disorders. But there are a lot of different diseases that can affect your menstrual cycle. 

For example, uterine fibroids can lead to heavy blood flow and cramping during your periods. The most common fibroids treatment options include medications, birth control pills, myomectomy, and hysterectomy. You should also know that heavy blood flow during menstruation can lead to anemia. 

Irregular menstruations are more common for women after their 40s. They are related to perimenopause after which menstruations can stop. If a woman in perimenopause experience heavy periods, it is better to make an appointment with the doctor because heavy bleeding can be a result of serious diseases.

5. You skipped your birth control pills

If you often skip your birth control pills, you can consult your doctor on how to create a habit. Lifestyle changes like taking a pill during your breakfast or before going to sleep can help you. But if you are still forgetting to take the birth control pill, there are a lot of other options. You can try injections, intrauterine devices, or vaginal rings that don’t require your daily attention and you won’t need to worry about forgetting to take a pill.

6. You have an abnormal discharge

Most women think that yeast infection is the only cause of an abnormal discharge. But certain sexually transmitted infections can also lead to discharge. Without proper and timely treatment, these infections can lead to more serious symptoms and other health problems. You should remember that any kind of abnormal discharges (heavy, smelly or bloody) require your attention. Your fertility is not something you should neglect so visit your doctor every time you notice anything unusual.

7. Your pregnancy plans

If you don’t plan to have children, you need to provide your gynecologist with this information. It can increase the number of treatment options if you have some disease. But if you want to have children in the nearest future or are trying to conceive, let your doctor know. If your attempts were unsuccessful, there can be an underlying condition. You also need to know that your possibility to get pregnant decreases after the age of 35. Moreover, the risk of miscarriages and difficult childbirth increases after your 40s.