Gynecologic Conditions

Gynecologic conditions are conditions that affect any part of the female reproductive system. These include conditions that affect the:

• Vulva
• Vagina
• Cervix
• Uterus
• Fallopian tubes
• Ovaries

They may also include sexually transmitted infections (STI), urinary tract infections (UTI), pelvic pain, and managing menopause symptoms.

Symptoms of gynecologic conditions

The signs and symptoms of each gynecologic condition vary according to the part of the reproductive system affected. Each woman is different, but common symptoms associated with gynecological conditions include:

• Vaginitis: Vaginal discharge, itching, burning
• Uterine fibroids: Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Endometriosis: Pelvic pain and cramping, lower back and stomach pain during menstruation, excessive bleeding during menstruation
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): Irregular menstrual periods, excess body or facial hair, acne, weight gain

Causes of gynecologic conditions

The causes of gynecologic conditions vary widely, from infection to hormone imbalances. Here are a few examples:

• Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina, caused when the organisms that usually keep the vagina healthy are destroyed. This can happen when women take antibiotics or during times of extreme stress.
• Uterine fibroids also have no known cause, although women do seem to be at higher risk of having fibroids if other women in the family have them.
• Endometriosis is when the uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside of the uterus on other abdominal organs. The exact cause of endometriosis is not known, but possible explanations include retrograde menstruation (in which menstrual blood flows back through the fallopian tubes instead of leaving the body), endometrial cell growth around surgical scars, or an immune system disorder.
• PCOS is a hormonal disorder involving abnormally high levels of the male hormone androgen.

Treatment of gynecologic conditions

The treatment of gynecologic conditions depends on the specific condition and its cause. If the condition is an infection, such as an STI or a UTI, treatment typically consists of antibiotics. Treatment for fibroids may be a “watch and wait” approach, or a surgical procedure to remove or destroy the fibroids. If you have been diagnosed with pre-cancerous cells on your cervix, your gynecologist may recommend a few treatment options, including cryotherapy (freezing the cells) and laser therapy to destroy the cells.