Search Here
Your body is a miraculous thing. For the most part, it operates autonomously. Your heart beats effortlessly and your reproductive system knows just what to do each month with your menstrual cycle.
The body maintains many processes instinctively; no direct involvement from yourself or your gynecologist is required. But when these subconscious processes are interrupted by disease or ailment, our bodies do another incredible thing–they tell us something’s wrong so that we can temporarily intervene and return to health.
When it comes to a woman’s health, paying attention to the body’s red flags is crucial to maintaining optimal reproductive health. Here’s a list of eight signs that your body is calling out for help–and your Las Vegas gynecologist may be able to help.
All vaginas have a scent. It’s normal to have a slightly acidic smell. Get to know your personal vaginal aroma so that you are familiar with your healthy scent. When your vaginal fragrance changes drastically, pay attention. Your body is telling you that something is off.
For example, a forgotten tampon will create a stench, reminding you that you’ve got to do something about it. Bacterial Vaginosis and Trichomoniasis are infections often easily detected by your body’s radiation of unusually foul-smelling, fishy odors. These two culprits require your gynecologist’s intervention to prescribe medication that kills the odor-causing bacteria.
Vaginal swelling is another red flag that you should never ignore. Noticeable swelling usually happens on the outer vulva and there are many possible explanations. Some common reasons that your lady parts are inflamed can include:
If you’ve recently switched laundry detergents or personal hygiene products, you can try going back to what you used before to see if the swelling subsides. But if you have a fever or pain that accompanies your vaginal swelling, or if swelling persists longer than a few days, contact your gynecologist promptly for proper assessment and quick treatment.
Pain is the body’s uncomfortable way of getting your attention; so never ignore it. Painful periods are not a normal part of life and neither is painful intercourse. If you’re experiencing debilitating pain in your reproductive organs, contact your gynecologist to identify the cause and provide relief. Some common causes of pain include infections, dryness, pelvic floor dysfunction, and endometriosis. All of these have treatment routes.
One in four women have experienced abnormal menstrual cycles in their lifetime. Period abnormalities can be especially alarming when they include excessive blood loss, large clots, or non-stop bleeding between cycles.
If your period becomes irregular, or you find yourself heading to the bathroom non-stop to change your super tampon and pad, your body is alerting you that it needs your attention. Stress, hormonal imbalances, infections, growths, and other diseases may be to blame. Our staff can help you online, or in-person at our Las Vegas hybrid clinics, to help uncover the root cause of your bleeding and get you back to normal quickly.
Related: Irregular Periods: What is Normal & When to See Your Online OBGYN
If your menstrual cycle is irregular or non-existent, it can be a sign that your body is not ovulating. It’s called amenorrhea, and it’s a problem if you are trying to conceive. Periods are a sign that your reproductive system is functioning properly; so a lack of a period means something is off.
Possible causes of missed periods, or absence of menstruation, include: pregnancy, hormonal imbalances, stress, low weight, certain medications, or menopause. If you’ve missed three or more periods, it’s time to contact your gynecologist.
If your lady parts develop new sores, bumps, or blisters, you may be wondering if you need to contact your OBGYN. There are many causes, including:
In most cases, if your sores, bumps, or blisters are accompanied by pain, pus, blood, odor, or itching that causes disruption to your normal lifestyle, then you may want to have your gynecologist take a look.
Vaginas use discharge to perform self-cleaning and flush out dead skin cells and other foreign materials. So a certain amount of discharge is expected in a healthy vaginal environment. If you’re not sure whether your discharge is normal or not, check out the related blog below:
Related: Here’s What’s Normal Vaginal Discharge… and What’s Not
Abnormal discharge can be yellow, green, or foul-smelling. An increase in discharge that is accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, bleeding, itching, soreness, or burning is also a cause for concern. Changes in your discharge are your body’s way of communicating changes in your body to you. The most common cause of abnormal discharge is an active infection, so it’s important to see your gynecologist as soon as possible.
Saving the best for last: there’s nothing more embarrassing or irritating than vaginal itching. It is not normal to experience itching down there, so if you have vaginal itching, your skin is talking to you. The most common culprits are irritants like soaps, detergents, and fragrances. Infections, from yeast or bacteria are another cause. If you’re unable to rule out irritants or the itching doesn’t stop, your online OBGYN can help.
Learn to read your body’s language and recognize red flags early on. My Virtual Physician has board-certified gynecologist available to meet virtually with you online, or with staff at our Las Vegas hybrid clinics, to help calm your body back to normal. Schedule your appointment now to get treatment today.
