Gynaecological symptoms: What they might mean and what to do

What are gynaecological problems?

The word gynaecological (pronounced guy-nuh-kuh-logic-ul) relates to the health of female reproductive organs. This includes your:

• ovaries
• fallopian tubes
• uterus
• cervix
• vagina
• vulva

You might sometimes hear doctors use the term uro-gynaecological too. Urogynaecology is a special area of women’s health that focuses on conditions affecting your bladder, bowel, pelvic floor and reproductive organs.

Some examples of gynaecological and uro-gynaecological problems include:

• painful or heavy periods, endometriosis
• fibroids
• ovarian cysts
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• adenomyosis
• yeast infections, like thrush
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
• urinary incontinence
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• pelvic organ prolapse
• gynaecological cancers, such as cervical or ovarian cancer

What are the most common gynaecological symptoms?

Some gynaecological symptoms must be checked out. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you notice any of the following.

Abnormal bleeding

If you notice any bleeding that doesn’t follow your usual period pattern, speak to your doctor. They can help find out what’s causing it. Abnormal bleeding might look like:

• irregular or unpredictable periods
• heavy periods
• painful periods
• periods that are shorter or longer than usual
• bleeding between periods
• bleeding after sexbleeding after menopause

Abnormal bleeding can often be caused by things like stress or weight changes. But sometimes, it might be a sign of an underlying problem such as fibroids, polyps, adenomyosis, PCOS, an infection, or some cancers.

Unusual discharge

It’s normal for your discharge to change throughout different stages of your cycle. But if your discharge:

• smells unpleasant
• looks grey, green, yellow, or bloody
• becomes thick or clumpy
• is heavier than usual

It could be due to a yeast infection like thrush, a vaginal infection such as bacterial vaginosis, or a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia or gonorrhoea. Your doctor can find out the cause and help you get treatment.

Pain in your pelvis or lower tummy

If you feel pain or pressure that’s different from usual period cramps, see your doctor so they can investigate the cause. You might notice the pain around your pelvic area or lower tummy.

There are lots of possible causes. Your doctor may check if there’s a gynaecological reason behind your pain, like:

• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• a urinary tract infection (UTI)
• endometriosis
• pelvic organ prolapse
• ovarian cysts
• fibroids

Vaginal itching

There are lots of things that could make your vagina feel itchy. For example, itching can be linked to vaginal dryness (especially during the menopause), a yeast infection, a sexually transmitted infection or using perfumed soaps.

You might also get a burning sensation or lump in the same area.

Whatever the cause, vaginal itching is something to speak to your doctor about. They might suggest a cream, medication or self-care measures to treat the underlying cause.

Needing to pee urgently or frequently

If your toilet habits start to change, see your doctor to find out what’s going on. You might feel the need to pee often, go urgently, leak by accident or feel burning when you pee.

Problems peeing might mean you need to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, or that you have a urinary tract infection.

Sometimes, they may be caused by gynaecological issues like pelvic organ prolapse, or when your vaginal and urinary tract tissues get thinner after menopause. Either way, see your doctor for support and treatment.

Painful sex

If you feel pain during or after sex, it can affect your wellbeing, relationships, and sexual enjoyment. There are many possible causes, including vaginal dryness, an infection, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease and how you’re feeling emotionally.

But you don’t have to put up with painful sex. Talk to your doctor who can help find the cause and suggest ways to manage or treat it.

What is the treatment for gynaecological problems?

The type of treatment you might need for a gynaecological problem will depend on the underlying cause. For example, your doctor might:

• prescribe antibiotics for an infection, hormonal creams for vaginal dryness, or painkillers for period pain.
• suggest lifestyle changes like pelvic floor exercises for urinary incontinence or changing your washing powder if you’re prone to vaginal itching.
• refer you for further tests if you have unusual bleeding or very bad pelvic pain.

It’s normal to feel worried if something doesn’t feel right with your reproductive or sexual health. But the best thing to do is make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. They can help you find out the cause and get treatment quickly.