Gynecological Diseases

Routine gynecological examinations are very important in the early diagnosis and prevention of gynecological diseases. Routine gynecological examinations should be performed starting from the first menstrual period.

Routine gynecological examinations should be performed once a year, even if the woman has no complaints. After starting an active sexual life or for every woman between the ages of 18 and 65, it is very important for the early diagnosis and treatment of many gynecological diseases. Many diseases such as ovarian cysts, infectious sexual diseases, myomas and early-stage cancers can be detected with routine check-ups.

If you have any suspicion of pregnancy, abnormal vaginal bleeding, burning sensation during urination, foul-smelling or colored vaginal discharge, infection, or pain in the pelvic area outside of routine check-ups, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.

What are Women's Diseases?

Women's diseases also include the female reproductive system, such as the ovaries, vagina, cervix, and fallopian tubes, also known as gynecological diseases. In women's diseases, menstrual problems, sexuality, infertility, menopause, and birth control are diagnosed and treated. In some cases, women's diseases cannot be noticed, but are detected only with routine examinations. Gynecology and obstetrics specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Yayla Abide provides examination, diagnosis, and treatment services in the gynecological field.

The Most Common Women's Diseases

The most common women's diseases are menstrual problems such as painful menstruation or amenorrhea, polycystic ovary disease, vaginal discharge problems, and endometriosis, also known as chocolate cysts. When the symptoms of these diseases are seen, a specialist gynecologist should definitely be examined. Groin pain in women can be caused by many reasons, as well as a problem originating from the reproductive organs. The cause of groin pain can be a cyst in the ovary or an ectopic pregnancy. The most common women's diseases can be listed as follows.

• Menstrual irregularity
• Ovarian cyst
• Myoma
• Endometriosis
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• HPV
• Polyp
• Gynecological cancers
• Vaginal fungus
• Vaginal discharge
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Menopause
• Vaginismus
• Sexual dysfunction
• PMS or premenstrual syndrome

Treatment Methods in Gynecological Diseases

Treatment methods in gynecological diseases include different methods depending on the disease. Treatment methods include medication, alternative methods and surgical interventions. The appropriate treatment method is determined by the specialist doctor according to the patient's needs and the condition of the disease. Laparoscopic surgeries in particular are a suitable method for the treatment of many gynecological diseases. Laparoscopic surgery, known as closed surgery, is applied in the treatment of diseases such as endometrioma, myoma surgery, ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy, removal of fallopian tubes, and uterine cancer. Open surgery is performed more frequently in cases of high myoma count. HPV vaccination is recommended for HPV at a young age, and in the following periods, a smear test is taken once a year from people who have regular relationships. Cervical anomalies detected with a smear test are diagnosed early and treated before they turn into cancer.

What is Gynecological Examination?

Gynecological examination is a type of examination performed to evaluate a woman's gynecological health. With this examination, ovarian cysts, sexually transmitted diseases, and early stage cancer symptoms can be detected. Gynecological examination is an important stage that every woman should have routinely. For problems such as vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, and vaginal fungus, gynecological examination is also important in terms of diagnosis.

Even women who are sexually active and even have children may have a fear of feeling pain during a vaginal examination. However, in order to understand that this fear is unnecessary; it is enough to know the structure of the vagina, the size and materials of the instruments used during the examination. The instrument called speculum, which is frequently used during a gynecological examination, is much thinner than the penis. On the other hand, a large amount of gel is applied to the vaginal ultrasound device or instruments such as speculum before entering the vagina. In this way, the instrument becomes lubricated and easily enters the vagina. Only the speculum, which is slightly opened to provide sufficient opening in the vagina, will create a feeling of pressure, and this is not a pressure strong enough to cause pain. Another instrument used is the smear stick used for the smear test. The brush-like structure at the end of the stick is extremely soft and does not contain any irritating materials.

How is an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Examination Performed?

After the doctor listens to your complaint and talks to you about your medical history, he/she requests that you go to a different room or a different section of the room for the gynaecological examination. Your doctor's assistant gives you a gown and asks you to take off your clothes and get ready. When you lie down on the examination table called the gynaecological table, you are now ready for the examination. The gynaecological examination is performed manually and with a sterile single-use tool called a speculum. Then, it ends with an ultrasound evaluation of the gynaecological organs. A rectal examination can also be performed if necessary.

The doctor first examines the vulva from the outside and examines if there are any symptoms such as wounds, swelling, redness. Then, he/she performs a vaginal examination using gynaecological instruments. There may be a slight feeling of discomfort during the examination, but no other pain is experienced. The examination takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

During the gynaecological examination, the following parts of the body are examined;

• Vulva (external genital organs)
• Uterus
• Cervix
• Ovaries
• Bladder

Routine Examinations That Women Must Have

A gynecological examination is an examination that all women should have from a young age and is very important in terms of early diagnosis of some diseases. We recommend that a smear test be taken from your cervix annually or at least every 3 years after your first sexual intercourse or at the age of 21, and that an HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) screening test be added to this test after the age of 25.

We recommend that you do your own breast examination in every bath, and that you have mammography and breast ultrasound at regular intervals after the age of 40. After the age of 50, we recommend that you have a stool occult blood test and a colonoscopy at certain intervals for early diagnosis and prevention of colon cancer.

What is Gynecology?

Gynecology is a branch of medicine that focuses on women's reproductive health, diagnosis and treatments in this field. Gynecologists provide services to protect women's sexual health, diagnose women's diseases and treat women's diseases. This is the department where women apply to obtain information about the issues they complain about and to have their annual routine examinations. Gynecological examinations can be scary for most women, but they are very important in order to solve the problems in your reproductive health and organs such as the vagina and uterus.

Things to Consider Before Routine Gynecological Examination

Since there is a possibility of a smear test being performed during the gynecological examination, it would be beneficial to schedule your examination time to coincide with the period after menstrual bleeding has ended, unless otherwise recommended by the doctor. Approximately 2 days before the gynecological examination, tampon use, sexual intercourse, any liquid, foam or gel substance squeezed into the vagina, cream or cleansing liquid applied for treatment purposes should be completely stopped.

For people who have never had sexual intercourse before, the doctor will choose the appropriate examination method. In these people, except for some cases, a vaginal examination is not performed, a rectal examination can be performed or the examinations can be completed with abdominal ultrasonography.