Why Should You Visit A Gynaecologist After Menopause?
Why Should You Visit A Gynaecologist After Menopause?
June 20, 2024 by adminMenopause is a natural biological process that occurs when you don’t have periods for 12 consecutive months. Many women believe that they do not need to visit a gynaecologist once they reach menopause, which marks the end of their fertility years. Menopause brings about many changes in a woman’s body, and that’s why it is important that you visit a gynaecologist, even during your postmenopausal years. If you live in Chennai, you must consult with the top gynecologist specialist in Chennai.
Why You Should Visit an Obstetrician-Gynaecologist Post-Menopause?
As mentioned above, women start noticing many changes in their bodies after menopause. The most prominent change is that they will stop menstruating, which leads to hormonal changes in their bodies. Fluctuations in hormone levels often cause hot flashes, dryness, night sweats, vaginal thinning, and mood swings. These are some of the common discomforts women experience in post-menopause, and they can impact your daily routine, well-being, and quality of life. Furthermore, because these can adversely affect everything you do, from sexual intercourse to the ability to sleep peacefully and hence it is crucial to visit a gynaecologist and seek support. Besides, postmenopausal women may also experience problems like pelvic prolapse or incontinence and require medical attention. As your body continues to go through changes even after menopause, proper gynaecological care is essential. That’s why you should continue consultations with your gynaecologist. However, you may not have to visit the specialist as frequently as you used to. If you remain healthy after menopause, you may be able to reduce the number of visits to your gynaecologist.
Problems Women Can Face After Menopause
Postmenopausal women will not experience pregnancy or menstrual cramps, but they are vulnerable to a number of medical conditions caused by a drop in oestrogen levels after menopause. Generally, women blame the medical issues they face after menopause on their age. However, what they should realize is that just because many women go through various medical conditions after menopause does not mean it is normal and everyone should suffer. A few of the health conditions that you can experience postmenopause and that require consultation with the best gynecologist in Chrompet, Chennai, include the following:
- Osteoporosis (a condition that causes your bones to become fragile and brittle)
- Dryness and irritation of your vagina and vulva
- Vaginal atrophy (wherein your vaginal lining becomes drier and thinner and results in burning, itching, and pain)
- Chronic infections of the urinary tract
- Urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control)
- Pelvic organ prolapse (your pelvis slipping from its normal position and bulging into the vagina)
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- Cardiovascular disease
- Ovarian cancer
Post-menopause Gynaecologist Exam – What to Expect?
An annual visit to your gynaecologist will help you maintain your health after menopause. Your gynaecologist will do a physical exam. This includes an examination of your breasts and pelvic area. Your doctor will perform specific examinations and recommend tests to ensure your overall health. Some of the tests that are often recommended include:
Cancer screenings
The risk of cancers of the uterus, ovaries, and breast remains high even after menopause. During your annual gynaecological examination, your doctor will determine the specific screenings that you need to go through based on your family history.
Pelvic examination
Pelvic exams are essential for maintaining your health. They include the examination of the vagina and the cervix for signs of infection or disease. Your gynaecologist will check whether there are lumps and ensure that the shape, size, and position of the uterus and ovaries are normal. The pelvic examination also helps determine signs of ovarian cysts, fibroids in the uterus, early-stage gynaecological cancer, vaginal bleeding, sexually transmitted infections, vulvar/vaginal skin changes, urinary issues, and abnormal vaginal discharge or infections. This screening is important for women who have symptoms related to problems with their cervix, vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries.
Pap smear
Gynaecologists recommend that you get a Pap smear done once every three years until you are 65 years old. This means you will have to visit your gynaecologist even after menopause.
Sexual Health
Gynaecologists can help you maintain a healthy sexual life. This is because most women continue to be sexually active even after menopause. It is, therefore, important that you visit your gynaecologist to monitor your health issues.
Other tests
Your doctor may order a blood and urine test to ascertain kidney health and detect infections. Based on your age and other risk factors, the doctor may also ask you to get your bone density checked to detect osteoporosis.
In conclusion, health professionals recommend that women start visiting a gynaecologist when they are 21 years old and suggest continuing with annual visits thereafter. It helps them maintain their reproductive health and prevent ovarian, cervical, and breast cancers. Gynaecologists advise women to continue their annual checks even after they attain menopause, as it will help them maintain their health and lead a better life.
Furthermore, it will be helpful for women who have a history of pre-cancer or cancer results. Besides, it is a good idea to maintain a relationship with your doctor so as to ensure that you always get care whenever you need it. Doctors perform comprehensive examinations whenever there is a need. Whether you are experiencing unusual new symptoms such as abnormal bleeding or you need ongoing treatment for a condition that you have, you can get an appointment without much hassle.
Sugam Hospital
Sugam Hospital is a multi-speciality hospital in Chennai with state-of-the-art facilities, including a blood bank and diagnostic lab. We have highly qualified and experienced gynaecologists on our team, and they are capable of treating the health issues faced by women of all ages. Furthermore, Sugam is by far the best hospital for laparoscopic surgery in Chennai. The top laparoscopic surgeons at Sugam have carried out hundreds of surgeries to treat gynaecological problems using this minimally invasive technique.