Jessica Ritch, MD, gynecologist at Aventura Hospital & Medical Center explains the many possible causes of pelvic pain in this video.
Gynecology
There are many key areas in the field of female reproductive system health, including menstruation, pregnancy, fertility, and menopause. As a woman, you may be concerned about other issues related to your sexual health, including genital problems and sexually transmitted diseases. If you are a female that is sexually active, or over the age of 18, it is important to begin seeing a womans' health specialist in order to make sure that your reproductive system stays healthy. Before that, any concerns with menstruation should be addressed with a physician. As you get older, most women become concerned with issues pertaining to avoiding or achieving pregnancy, until menopause begins around age 50.
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6 AnswersA
Dr. Jessica M. Ritch, MD , OBGYN (Obstetrics & Gynecology), answered on behalf of Aventura Hospital and Medical Center - HCA East FloridaSee All 6 Answers
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Sigma Nursing answeredThe causes of PMS are not clear. It is linked to the changing hormones during the menstrual cycle. Some women may be affected more than others by changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. Stress and emotional problems do not seem to cause PMS, but they may make it worse.
Diagnosis of PMS is usually based on your symptoms, when they occur, and how much they affect your life.
This answer is based on source information from the National Women's Health Information Center.
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See All 2 AnswersAfter age 65, doctors generally recommend that you can stop having Pap smears if all of the following criteria are met:
- Your last two Pap smears were normal.
- One of these last Pap smears was in the last five years.
- You have no history of precancerous changes.
Obviously, these are fairly general guidelines, and you need to have a discussion with your health care provider. A woman with a history of cervical cancer or with cervical precancer is going to have a different screening regimen than a woman with a history of normal Pap smears.
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RealAge answeredA woman should call her doctor for chronic pelvic pain if the pain is affecting her ability to function normally, if the pain worsens, or to try to determine the cause of the pain and possible treatments for it.
Chronic pelvic pain is pain that occurs between the hips and below the belly button and that lasts for at least six months. It may be present at all times, or may come in cycles, occuring at certain times of the menstrual cycle, for example. Nearly 15 percent of women ages 18-50 experience chronic pelvic pain and the problem is the reason for about 10 percent of visits to gynecologists.
There are several different conditions that can cause chronic pelvic pain, including problems with the urinary tract or bowel as well as problems with the reproductive system. A doctor can begin to track down the cause of chronic pelvic pain by taking a thorough medical history, doing a pelvic examination and possibly ordering imaging tests to view the pelvic organs.
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Dr. Jack P. Ayoub, MD , OBGYN (Obstetrics & Gynecology), answered on behalf of Reston Hospital CenterSee All 8 Answers
There are various types of hysterectomy surgeries, including those done robotically. Watch this video with Jack Ayoub, MD, from Reston Hospital Center to learn about the different surgical options.
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Intermountain Healthcare answeredSee All 7 AnswersHere are some things you can do to ease premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms:
Exercise 30 minutes every day—all month long. This can help prevent and treat PMS symptoms. It's also good for your total health.
Eat healthy. Pay extra attention to these things before your period:
- Limit salt. You may feel better and have less swelling.
- Eat smaller meals, more often. This can help with food cravings.
- Stay away from caffeine and alcohol. This may help ease aches, pains and mood swings.
- Get enough calcium. Drink low-fat milk. Eat yogurt and broccoli. Drink soymilk with calcium.
- Take a multivitamin.
Get enough sleep. Get at least 8 hours a night.
Lower your stress. Take time for yourself. Do things that make you feel happy and calm.
Take medicine for pain and discomfort. Try acetaminophen (like Tylenol) or ibuprofen (like Advil). You can also try medicines especially for PMS. These often combine pain medicine with something to help with bloating. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Call or go to the doctor or clinic if:
- PMS symptoms are very bad and nothing helps
- PMS symptoms get in the way of normal life: work, family life, friendships or school