Care for Conditions & Disorders

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths of varying sizes in the uterus during "childbearing years." Some fibroids are so small that they are hard to detect or diagnose. Many women with fibroids don't experience symptoms, but when they do, they may encounter frequent urination, heavy or long periods, bleeding between periods, constipation, infertility, pain during intercourse and abdominal, pelvic or lower back pain.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your provider so they can diagnose and treat your condition. Fibroids can vary in size and number, and treatment depends on the severity of symptoms. Options range from medication to control bleeding to minimally invasive procedures and, in some cases, surgery to remove larger fibroids.

Gynecological cancers, including cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers, require specialized care for both diagnosis and treatment. While signs of gynecological cancers can vary, common symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, pelvic pain or pressure, changes in bathroom habits, unexplained weight loss, bloating and pain during sex.

Anyone can have cancer, but these conditions are more commonly diagnosed in people of certain ages.

• Cervical cancer is often diagnosed in those aged 35 to 44, but the average age of diagnosis is 50.
• More than 50% of ovarian cancers are diagnosed in women aged 63 or older.
• Uterine cancer (or endometrial cancer) is most commonly diagnosed among people 55 to 64.
• Vaginal cancer is most common in people 50 and older.
• Vulvar cancer is most commonly diagnosed among people 65 to 74.

Remember, only cervical cancer can be detected with a Pap test. That's why it's so important to have regular exams and find a provider with whom you feel comfortable talking about any changes in your health. If abnormalities are found, further testing like biopsies may be necessary. Treatment for gynecological cancers can include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Let's agree that periods are just not that much fun. Unfortunately, some suffer through their periods more than others. There are several types of menstrual disorders that can cause extra discomfort or concern with symptoms ranging from heavy, painful periods to no periods at all. Some common conditions are:

• Amenorrhea - a lack of menstruation.
• Dysmenorrhea - painful cramps during menstruation.
• Menorrhagia - heavy bleeding that may last long periods.
• Metrorrhagia - irregular period cycles.
• Oligomenorrhea - infrequent menstruation or light periods.
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) - physical and psychological symptoms before menstruation, such as bloating, breast tenderness, mood swings, irritability and fatigue.

When your periods become concerning for any reason, talk with an OB/GYN provider who can evaluate your symptoms and help treat your condition.

Pain during sex is more common than you might think. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as many as 75% of women will experience pain during sex at some point. Pain just before, during or after sex is called dyspareunia. This can be caused by physiological conditions such as pelvic floor disorder, sexually transmitted infections, endometriosis, having recently given birth, hormonal changes, lack of vaginal moisture and pelvic inflammatory disease. There may also be psychological or emotional components involved, including stress, anxiety, depression and thoughts of past traumatic experiences such as intimate partner violence.

If you're not experiencing pain but have a lower sex drive, that's also something you can discuss with your gynecologist. A lower libido in women can be caused by medications for pre-existing conditions, mental health conditions like anxiety or depression or hormonal changes related to pregnancy, breastfeeding, perimenopause or menopause.

You might be hesitant to talk to your OB/GYN about pain or your sex drive, but your sexual health is a part of your overall health. Your provider can help determine what's changed and suggest hormone therapy, counseling or lifestyle changes to treat your condition.

Pelvic pain can be difficult to explain to your doctor. It can be sudden and severe or come and go. However, whether described as stabbing, throbbing, crampy or dull, an OB/GYN can help.

During your appointment, be sure to talk to your provider not only about the type of pain you're feeling but when the pain is triggered (ex., during ovulation or your period) and where you feel the pain (ex., the groin or hip).

Causes of pelvic pain can be an ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, inflammation, ovarian cysts, menstrual cramps, fibroids, a urinary tract infection, a sexually transmitted infection or even appendicitis. Your gynecologist can help identify and treat the cause of your pain.

The CDC recommends that people under 25 test annually for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or diseases (STDs), while those older than 25 should test annually when they have a new partner, multiple partners or a partner who has an STI.

Remember, your Pap smear does not test for STIs or STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, and many people have no symptoms when they contract a sexually transmitted infection. Regular testing is especially vital since STIs are on the rise.

In 2022, there were more than 1.6 million reported cases of chlamydia, 648,056 cases of gonorrhea and 207,255 cases of syphilis—the greatest number of syphilis cases since 1950. In fact, syphilis rates rose 17.3% between 2021 and 2022 alone.

To prevent and reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections, it is important to practice safe sex and get tested regularly. It's also essential to communicate openly with partners about sexual health and vaccinations for HPV and hepatitis B.