Gynecological disorders affect the female reproductive organs and breasts. Somewhat obviously, given the extent of this physiological scope, such disorders encompass a variety of diverse conditions. Moreover, as a corollary of such diversity, it, unfortunately, follows that the majority of women will experience some form of a gynecological issue during their lifetimes. To learn about the common gynecological disorders that most women experience, read below.
Symptoms
The diversity evident in the range of gynecological disorders is unsurprisingly mirrored by the varied spectrum of accompanying symptoms.
Medical attention should be sought if any of the following symptoms are present
- Increase in vaginal discharge
- Malodorous vaginal discharge with an abnormal color
- Bleeding between menstrual periods
- Atypical vaginal bleeding
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- The appearance of lumps or sores in the genital area
- Irritation, swelling, or soreness near the vagina
- Frequent need to urinate
- Urgent need to urinate
- A burning sensation while urinating
- Pelvic pain or pressure, which differs from sensation provoked by menstrual cramps
It’s worth noting that, on occasion, such symptoms can point toward more serious underlying conditions. For example, vaginal symptoms may indicate the presence of one of a range of cancers of the reproductive tract. Moreover, ignoring symptoms may only exacerbate the situation. Indeed, if left untreated, mild infections can ultimately cause kidney damage.
Common Gynecological Conditions
The most frequently occurring gynecological conditions include;
- Cervical Dysplasia
Cervical dysplasia is caused by the human papillomavirus. The condition affects the cervix and is described as precancerous. Given that cervical dysplasia is entirely asymptomatic, it’s recommended that women over the age of 21 attend annual checkups to test for the presence of abnormal cells.
- Menstrual Disorders
Menstrual disorders are signalled by patterns of irregular bleeding. The term is an umbrella term which encompasses the following conditions; 
-Endometrial hyperplasia
-Endometrial cancer
-Endometrial polyps
-Endometriosis
-Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is also classified as a menstrual disorder. The condition appears frequently among women of reproductive age.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder which results in either sporadic or prolonged menstrual periods or in excess levels of androgen. As a result of the condition, the ovaries may fail to release eggs on a regular basis. Moreover, if left untreated the condition can lead to diabetes or heart disease.
- Fibroid Tumors
Thankfully, these tumors are generally harmless. The tumors are composed of muscle cells and connective tissue and develop on the uterine wall.
- Chronic Pelvic Pain
Chronic pelvic pain is an overarching term used to describe a pain which predominantly affects the lower abdominal area and which lasts for longer than 6 months.
- Pelvic Floor Disorders
Pelvic floor disorders occur when one or more of the pelvic organs are affected by a dysfunction of the surrounding muscles and tissues. Such disorders are common and are estimated to affect 33% of women. Frequently occurring pelvic floor disorders include;
-Urinary incontinence
-Anal incontinence
Common Gynecological Procedures
The gynecological procedures which are most frequently performed include;
- Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure
Otherwise known by the acronym LEEP, this procedure involves using a minute electrical wire to remove tissue from the cervix.
- Colposcopy
In this procedure, a magnifying tool called a colposcope is used to examine cervical tissue and the vagina.
- Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy involves the surgical removal of the uterus. It’s often recommended in cases of uterine fibroids, endometrial cancer, severe pelvic pain, or abnormal uterine bleeding. The procedure can be performed by a laparoscopic incision, abdominal incision, or by a vaginal incision.
- Hysteroscopy
In this procedure, a hysteroscope is used to examine the lining of the uterus. To access the uterus, the hysteroscope is inserted into the vagina and then carefully guided through the cervix.
- Myomectomy
A myomectomy is a surgical procedure which is performed to remove uterine fibroids. The surgery can be performed by laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, or through an open incision in the abdomen.
- Endometrial Ablation
Endometrial ablation is performed to treat gynecological disorders such as uterine bleeding. The procedure itself calls for the removal of a layer of tissue from the uterus. It can be conducted using a number of different techniques, including cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation, and microwave ablation.
