Endometrial Ablation

Endometrial ablation- a procedure that annihilates the lining of the uterus with the purpose of reducing the menstrual flow. This procedure is performed to treat unusual menstrual bleeding. In some cases, hysteroscope is used to see inside the uterus. Few methods by which Endometrial ablation can be done are listed below:

Endometrial ablation using laser beams.
Radiofrequency.
Thermal balloon ablation.
Heated free fluid.
Microwave.

Endometrial ablation may be performed in an outpatient facility or a gynecologist’s clinic. The procedure may last up to 45 minutes. The gynecologist may use local, spinal or in some cases general anesthesia.

Why it is done

Endometrial ablation is the only option for a woman suffering from heavy, extended vaginal bleeding due to reasons such as:

Bleeding was unresponsive to other treatments.
You prefer not to have a hysterectomy.
Other medical issues that prevent a hysterectomy.

Endometrial ablation is not suggested for woman who:

Wish to have babies in future.
Have massive cramping and pain during periods.
Have Uterus cancer.
Have achieved menopause.
Risks Involved

There are some risks involved in endometrial ablation process including:

An injury to the uterine wall from surgical instruments.
Thermal injury to the uterus.
Cervical laceration (Tearing of the opening of the uterus).
Enormous pain, bleeding or infection.

Is it worth?

Post endometrial ablation, most women experience less menstrual flow. Older women are likely to respond well to endometrial ablation as compared with younger women. After an endometrial ablation, younger women are likely to have periods and may require a repeat procedure.

What after surgery

Side effects such as cramping, nausea, vaginal discharge mixed with blood are bound to happen. The discharge may last around 1 to 2 weeks, but will become clear after a couple of days. Usually, the patient is discharged the same day. It may take few days to 2 weeks to recuperate.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a complication of pregnancy in which pregnancy happens outside the uterus. Also known as eccysis or tubal pregnancies, these type of pregnancies possess life threatening risks to the mother and fetus. Most of the ectopic pregnancies happen in the Fallopian tube, but can also occur in the cervix, ovaries and abdomen. If not treated properly, ectopic pregnancy can even lead to death.

Symptoms

Abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Lower back pain.
Cramps on one side of the pelvis.
Absent menses.
Nausea and puking.
Weakness or faintness.
Low blood pressure.
Pain in the shoulder and lower abdomen.

Causes

One major cause of ectopic pregnancy is a damaged fallopian tube that doesn't allow a fertilized egg to enter the uterus, so it embeds in the fallopian tube.

It happens mainly because of the following reasons:

Birth defect in the fallopian tubes.
Previous experience of ectopic pregnancy.
Scarring from the past infection.
Endometriosis.
You are at high risk of getting an ectopic pregnancy if you are:

Over 35 years.
Having sexually transmitted disease like chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Getting pregnant while using an intrauterine device (IUD), a form of birth control.
Having multiple sexual partners.
Having infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Treatment

Your gynecologist will perform a pelvic examination, pregnancy test and an ultrasound to view the condition of uterus and fallopian tubes. If ectopic pregnancy is detected, your gynecologist will decide on the best treatment based on your medical condition. If the doctor suspects that fallopian tube is ruptured, surgery may be done to stop blood loss. Surgery may also be performed to repair any damaged tissue or remove the abnormal pregnancy. In certain cases, the doctor may opt to remove the fallopian tube.

Vaginal Yeast Infection

What it is?

Vaginal yeast infection is one of the most common female genital issues. A yeast infection, known as candidiasis, usually lives in warm, moist parts of the body, such as the mouth and moist areas of skin. A vaginal yeast infection indicates that a large number of yeast cells are growing in the vagina. Yeast infections can happen to any women and generally not considered sexually transmitted infections. A doctor can’t tell you how you got a yeast infection, but will be able to recognize and treat it.

What causes it?

Taking high number of antibiotics can disrupt the balance between germs in the vagina by decreasing the number of protective bacteria, hence causing infection.

Stress and Pregnancy.
Intake of birth control pills and steroids.
Using scented sanitary products.
High blood sugar level (Diabetes).

What are the symptoms?

Labial itching or burning sensation in the vagina.
Inflammation and redness of the vulva.
Abnormal vaginal discharge- a thick, white in color and odorless.
Pain during urination and intercourse.

How can it be prevented?

Your clothing plays a crucial role in the prevention of yeast infection. Yeast infection grows best in a warm, moist environment and to prevent them say good-bye to wet bathing suits, tight jeans, and stretchy exercise gear. Switch to cotton underwear and loose-fitting slacks. Additionally, avoid someone else's antibiotics if you think you have an infection. Keep your blood sugar levels under control.

What is the best treatment?

If you have a vaginal yeast infection, a visit to the doctor or gynecologist is mandatory. However, treatment is very simple. Your doctor will prescribe a pill or a cream, tablet, or suppository to put in the vagina. You can also purchase over the counter medication like miconazole, clotrimazole, tioconazole and butoconazole. If you suffer from regular vaginal yeast infections, you may require medication up to 2 weeks, clotrimazole vaginal suppository, or fluconazole pill every week.

Amenorrhea - Absence of Menstruation

Amenorrhea is an ailment commonly known as nonappearance of the menses. Primary and secondary are two types of amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is a condition where in a female, the first period has not yet commenced by the age of 16. Secondary amenorrhea refers to a condition where one used to have regular menses, but have stopped for at least 3 months including pregnancy.

There are various causes of primary amenorrhea. Some of them include chromosomal abnormalities, pituitary disease, vaginal hindrance and issues with the hypothalamus in the brain. Additionally, anorexia nervosa, excessive exercises and stress are believed to be associated with causing primary amenorrhea.

Secondary amenorrhea is much more common than primary amenorrhea. While the causes include those listed for primary amenorrhea, others like birth control pill, contraceptive shots, mental stress, hormonal imbalance, polycystic ovary disease are also referred as prime causes for secondary amenorrhea. Furthermore, women with low body weight or fat are also susceptible to secondary amenorrhea.

If you are 16 years old and the menses have not started or if you have menstruated but have missed two or more periods in a row, contact a gynecologist immediately. Your doctor will review your medical history, conduct a pelvic examination and take some tests to determine the actual cause. In some cases blood, urine and hormones may be tested. In case of a pituitary tumor, your doctor may go in for MRI or CT scan.

The treatment, however, depends on the cause of your amenorrhea. Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes including eating a balanced diet, maintaining body weight stress reduction and suitable amount of exercise. Other medication includes oral contraceptive pills and surgery.

You can actually prevent amenorrhea by reducing the risk factors that you can control. Maintaining healthy eating habits and avoiding strenuous exercises can surely help. Meditation can be a great source for reducing stress. Moreover, keep a record of your menstruation cycled. If you notice any uncalled for thing, visit your doctor.

OBGYN- Why You May Need To Visit One

All the hush hush in life and everyday getting busier, women hardly get time to maintain proper health. In fact, for a woman, regular health checkups and examinations with an OBGYN is necessary. Through this blog, I try to list some possibilities why you may need to visit an OBGYN.

BIRTH CONTROL: You may think the time has arrived to start a family, but it may not be the right time. If you are sexually active and don’t want to get pregnant, your OBGYN would prescribe you pills that would help prevent pregnancy. In addition, your OBGYN will tell you about certain sexually transmitted diseases.

INFECTION: Most women know when their bodies are not responding well. That doesn’t mean the pain; it may be something out of the ordinary. It is normal to have a discharge, but if it produces foul smell, then something is wrong. For thing to get right, it’s best to visit an OBGYN. She’ll do some tests and examinations and only after the results prescribe you proper medication.


PREGNANCY: If you are pregnant, it’s best to consult an OBGYN to prevent any complications before, between and after the child birth. It’s good to have an OBGYN monitor your pregnancy, since she can prescribe you certain vitamins and other nutrients to help you carry a healthy baby.

PAIN AND DISCOMFORT: If you experience pain and discomfort around the pelvic area, you need to see an OBGYN immediately. In addition, if you are having pain not linked with the menses, an OBGYN visit becomes necessary. You symptoms may be some that require immediate attention. 

REGULAR CHECKUP: Having a healthy and fit body is a dream come true for every woman. It’s better to schedule regular appointments with your OBGYN either monthly or bi-monthly. Certain issues like ovarian cancer, ovarian cysts and pelvic inflammatory disease could come up during regular appointments.

Exercising During Pregnancy

A woman’s body goes through numerous changes during pregnancy.  A fit body makes delivery and the recovery process smoother and healthier. Exercising during pregnancy helps in improving your stamina besides maintaining a healthy wait and thwarts pain, backaches and post pregnancy constipation. Regularly indulging in physical activities keeps you away from gestational diabetes and lowers the risk of premature delivery. Furthermore, it also improves your sleep and self-esteem.

However, before starting an exercise regime, a consultation with your gynecologist is necessary. If your pregnancy reports are normal, i.e. they don’t contain any complicating factors like high blood pressure, diabetes among others, it’s good idea for you to start light exercises. Be cautious of the fact that you are not overheated. To counter that, drink lots of water.

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services suggests light aerobic activity for two and a half hours weekly. Consult with your gynecologist before, during and after aerobic activities. However, your gynecologist can advise you on the type of exercise that is best suited for your body. General activities recommended by gynecologists include walking, swimming, water aerobics, low-impact aerobics, spinning, etc. A blend of flexibility exercises, strength training, and aerobics is best suited for healthy pregnant women.

Under no conditions, a pregnant woman should engage in strenuous activities like basketball, soccer, hockey, scuba diving, horseback riding, or downhill skiing. Exercising on the mountains where oxygen supply is reduced can spill danger for the unborn.

After exercising, if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding, extreme vaginal or abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, nausea, chest pain, consult your gynecologist immediately. If she advises to stop the exercises, do so with immediate effect.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is one the most common forms of vaginal infection that result from the overgrowth of harmful bacteria disturbing the pH balance. Usually two types of bacteria- Lactobacillus and Gardnerella vaginalis co-exist in the vagina. Women in their reproductive years are susceptible to bacterial vaginosis. The cause, however, is unknown till date. But, many doctors believe unprotected sexual intercourse, frequent douching and smoking are the reasons behind bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis does not show any warning signs. However, one common symptom is foul smelling vaginal discharge. The discharge can be milky, grey or yellow in color. It can increase after sex and intercourse may be painful. Other symptoms include irritation in the vagina, a burning sensation when urinating, or light vaginal bleeding.

Rush to a gynecologists as soon as you experience fishy smell vaginal discharge. Your doctor will carry out a clinical evaluation of the vagina and collect a sample of the discharge for laboratory examination. To ensure diagnosis is successful, you to avoid any vaginal deodorants, douches, or tampons for at least twenty-four hours prior to seeing the doctor. In addition, any form of sexual activity could hamper your diagnosis.

Bacterial vaginosis is not a serious issue, but infection can increase the risk of STD’s like HIV and to some extent infertility. Gynecologists usually prescribe antibiotics to treat this disease. The medicines are in the form of cream or capsules that you can put in your vagina. The infection goes off in 2-3 days with antibiotics, but treatment may continue for a week. Antibiotics work well but have certain side effects, which can lead to vaginal yeast infection.

You can follow instructions given below to prevent a recurrent infection:

• Always wipe from front to back after using the loo.

• Avoid tight underpants that can trap moisture.

• Use condoms and practice safe sex.

• Visit your gynecologist regularly for examinations.