Women, like men, can experience gynecologic disorders that affect their reproductive health. While the most common ones are easily treatable, others require more advanced treatments. Today we’ll look at some of the most common disorders related to women and how you can be more aware of them.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that occurs when the tissue that normally grows inside the uterus (endometrium) begins to grow outside of it. This can happen anywhere in the pelvis, but it most often appears on the ovaries, ligaments attaching organs together or areas near your bladder and bowels.
The cause of endometriosis isn’t completely understood yet, but it may be related to an imbalance between female hormones called estrogen and progesterone which causes these cells to multiply rapidly on their own without being regulated by your body’s natural cycle. This results in painful symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding as well as pain during sexual intercourse or pelvic exams due to pressure against nearby organs like ovaries or bowel tissue by these displaced cells.
If you think you might have this disorder then talk with your doctor about getting tested since they’ll need some samples taken from inside your body before making any diagnoses based solely upon physical examinations alone according to Dr Joy Trueblood!
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman’s hormones and reproductive system. It can cause irregular periods, infertility, and acne.
There are no specific causes of PCOS but it is known that the hormonal imbalance that results in this disorder may be inherited from either side of your family. There are also certain medical conditions that make you more likely to have PCOS such as:
- Insulin resistance
- Obesity
If you have symptoms of PCOS and they’ve been present for at least 2 years without any changes in diet or lifestyle then it’s important to see your doctor who might recommend blood tests or an ultrasound scan on your ovaries before making an official diagnosis.
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB)
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common disorder that affects women of reproductive age. It occurs when a woman experiences excessive blood loss during her period, leading to anemia and other serious health problems.
The symptoms of HMB include:
- Heavy flow for more than 7 days each month or for more than 3 days in a row.
- Bleeding that soaks through sanitary napkins or tampons within 1 hour of inserting them, even if you use these products continuously throughout the day and night.
- The need to change pads or tampons every hour.
It’s important to see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms regularly, says Dr Joy Trueblood as they may indicate an underlying gynecologic condition such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids (benign tumors).
Conclusion
It’s important to know these disorders and how they can affect women. If you are experiencing any symptoms, it is always best to talk with your doctor about them so that they can help determine if you have one of these conditions or something else entirely unrelated.