Various health conditions can affect the uterus or womb. Some are serious, while others need minimal treatment. Many involve similar symptoms, such as pelvic pain or irregular bleeding.
The solution? It is important visit a gynecologist so you can get a timely and correct diagnosis and treatment. In this article we tell you some of the characteristics, the most common uterine health conditions and what you should do if you are looking for gynecological treatment and/or doctors in Canary Islands.
How is the structure of the uterus?
The uterus is located in the pelvis and its shape has been associated with that of a pear. It sits behind the bladder and in front of the rectum. The uterus grows during pregnancy. Subsequently, it shrinks almost to its original size in a matter of weeks.
On each side of the uterus are the fallopian tubes and the ovaries. The uterus, vagina, ovaries, and fallopian tubes make up the female reproductive system. Because these organs are so close to each other, pelvic pain could be related to the uterus or something else entirely.
What are the most common uterine conditions?
Some of these health conditions begin in the womb. Others are caused by factors outside the uterus, such as hormones.
Dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain. It can occur before and/or during the period. Menstrual pain is not necessarily a sign of a medical condition on its own. It often improves with pain relievers or hormone therapy.
Menorrhagia. Menorrhagia is very heavy menstrual bleeding. It can also refer to bleeding that lasts too long. It can occur without any known cause, or it can be a symptom of:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Fibroids
- Polyps
- Some types of contraceptives.
- Cancer
- Other health conditions
Heavy bleeding can cause iron deficiency anemia, a low red blood cell count. If your red blood cell count is low, you may need treatment to control bleeding and anemia.
Uterine prolapse Uterine prolapse means that the muscles and ligaments that hold the uterus in place have weakened. The uterus falls. Many people have mild to moderate uterine prolapse as they age. The most common symptoms are:
- An urgent feeling to urinate.
- Urine leaks.
- Pain during or after sex in severe cases.
retroverted uterus. With this condition, the uterus tilts too far back toward the spine. Most of the time, it does not cause symptoms. In rare cases, it can cause problems during pregnancy. one of the exceptional gynecologists from our medical directory You can detect the condition during a pelvic exam.
Congenital uterine malformation. Sometimes the uterus has an atypical shape. This can make it more difficult to get pregnant and can increase the risk of miscarriage. one of the exceptional gynecologists from our medical directory can detect the condition on an ultrasound.
Pelvic inflammatory disease. Sometimes bacteria or germs enter the cervix and spread up. The infection can affect one or more of the pelvic organs, including the uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes. This is called pelvic inflammatory disease. Symptoms may include:
- Download
- Bad smell
- urgent need to urinate
- Pain
polyps. Uterine polyps are common. These small, soft growths in the uterus can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, spotting between periods, and bleeding after sex.
fibroids. Fibroids are growths on the walls or lining of the uterus. Sometimes they are attached to the outside of the uterus by a stalk. They can be as small as a seed or larger than an orange. Symptoms include:
- Heavy or prolonged bleeding during your period or between periods.
- Pelvic pain or pressure.
- Back pain.
- Pain during sex.
- Difficulty getting pregnant.
endometrial hyperplasia. Endometrial hyperplasia occurs when too many cells grow in the lining of the uterus. As a result, the uterus becomes very thick. The condition can cause abnormal bleeding. It is not cancer, but in some cases it can lead to uterine cancer. Symptoms include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Downloads between periods.
- Abnormal Pap smear.
Endometriosis. With endometriosis, the same type of tissue that lines the uterus grows in other parts of the body. Most of the time, it grows in the abdomen or on the ovaries. This can cause scar tissue to build up around the affected organs. People who have endometriosis often have endometrial hyperplasia, but not always. Symptoms include:
- Painful or heavy periods
- Irregular bleeding or spotting
- Pain during or after sex
- Pain in the abdomen or intestines
- Pain when urinating or defecating
Uterine scars (Asherman's syndrome). Sometimes scars form after surgery, radiation, or uterine injury. These scars are also called adhesions or Asherman's syndrome. It can cause you to have no periods or light bleeding during your periods. Severe cases can cause pain or infections.
Cancer. Uterine cancer causes abnormal vaginal bleeding. The most common type is endometrial cancer. It requires aggressive treatment if it has spread beyond the uterus.
Chronic pelvic pain. If your health care provider can't identify the cause of your pain, you may be diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain. You may need treatment when the pain gets worse. You may also be more sensitive to other painful conditions, such as gastrointestinal or bladder infections.
What should you do if you suspect a uterine condition?
In this month of March in which the World Day for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer is celebrated, we remind our Canarian readers not to neglect their annual gynecological check-up to detect early and treat both cervical cancer and any other type of cancer in a timely manner. the common conditions described in this article.
The first thing is to seek help from a gynecologist. In Canary Islandswe have excellent specialists who will help you cope with any gynecological condition. Do not hesitate to contact one of our outstanding gynecologists in Canary Islands. Find the best Gynecologist in Canary Islands among more than 48 Gynecological Clinics and more than 62 Gynecology Specialists.