When it comes to understanding reproductive health and wellness, there’s no such thing as a small or insignificant question. Reproductive health is a vital component of overall health and the more a woman knows about this topic, the better. That’s why we are always happy to answer questions that we receive from our patients and other women as part of our Ask the Gynecologists blog series. This month, we’ll be focusing on a variety of topics pertaining to women’s health and wellness including infertility, ovarian cancer, and vaginal discharge.
Question #1: What is a laparoscopy and how can it help with my infertility issues?
A laparoscopy is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure that we perform in order to detect potential causes of fertility issues. During the procedure, a slender telescope-like instrument is inserted through a small incision in the belly button. This allows us to examine the abdominal and pelvic organs including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries and look out for potential issues like endometriosis, scar tissue, cysts, or uterine fibroids that can decrease a woman’s fertility.
Question #2: Is there a connection between ovarian cancer and ovarian cysts?
Not necessarily. It’s natural for a healthy ovary to occasionally produce a normal, benign cyst during a menstrual cycle. This process becomes less frequent during the perimenopause period. Some cysts that occur after menopause and grow especially large (roughly 6 centimeters) can be considered abnormal and may require examination. However, the vast majority of these are benign.
Question #3: Is a vaginal discharge always a cause for concern?
No. Although some types of vaginal discharge may occur as a response to infections and other vaginal health concerns, a certain amount and type of discharge is completely normal and a sign of a healthy, functioning vagina. A normal vaginal discharge ranges in color from clear to white and will not have any noticeable odor. If a change in the color, consistency, or odor of the discharge occurs, as well as any other troubling symptoms including pain or itching in the vaginal area, pain during urination, or irregular bleeding, we recommend speaking with one of our gynecology providers.
We hope our readers found the answers they were looking for. If you have additional questions of your own and would like to discuss them with one of our reproductive healthcare providers, please don’t hesitate to contact Gynecology Associates of Gwinnett today. You can also follow along with us on Facebook and Twitter for additional health tips, news, and more. And don’t forget to check out our medical spa, MadEmEl Medical Aesthetics.
