Managing Women’s Health from Mandeville, LA

Woman Smiling Over Shoulder

Understanding the specific intricacies of women’s health is absolutely essential for women. Though the best way to diagnose any problems would be to visit a gynecologist, Mandeville, LA residents have a number of resources they can use to learn about their specific issues. From the office of Jill Gibson, MD, we offer this list of common issues to help you stay informed.

Irregular Cycles

This is generally caused by a change in the body’s hormone levels. While this is common for a girl’s first years of puberty, other causes include certain medications (including birth control), excessive exercise, stress, and certain diseases.

Breast Pain

Also known as mastalgia, breast pain is not likely an indicator of a more serious condition. It often occurs with the period cycle due to hormones, but occasionally may be experienced after menopause.

Ovarian Masses and Cysts

These are quite common among women in their childbearing years and are most often simply benign sacs of fluid on the ovaries. Rarely, they may be cancerous, and like with any cancer, they are perfectly treatable if found early.

Douching

Though advertisers have long mentioned the benefits, there is simply no practical reason for a woman to douche regularly. In fact, douching may cause bacterial vaginosis.

Pap Smear

Pap smears are the normal way to test for infection, inflammation, abnormal cells, and cancer. It consists of collecting cells from the vagina and cervix. This should be done once every 3-5 years depending on what your physician recommends for you if there is no history of abnormal pap smears.

Vaginal and/or genital bleeding

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, before puberty, or after menopause should be examined by your OB/GYN. It may indicate a serious problem, so you need to get this checked as soon as possible. If you are experiencing menopause and undergoing Hormone Replacement Therapy, vaginal bleeding can be a side effect related to HRT treatment.

Vaginitis

This simply means any form of inflammation of the vagina. The causes are various, and they include an overgrowth of normally present bacteria, yeast infection, and the presence of parasites. Symptoms include discharge, odor, itching, and pain. Though this may be scary, it is actually common for women to have some form of vaginitis at some point in their lives.

Diseases

Cervicitis

This is the inflammation of the cervix, which is the lower end of the uterus that opens into the vagina. This is commonly noticeable by the presence of abnormal bleeding and a change in vaginal discharge, though there are often no symptoms. The condition may be indicative of sexually transmitted disease, though that may not be the case.

Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Fibrocystic Breast Disease is a common condition in which pain, cysts, and noncancerous lumps may occur in the breast. This is not really a disease, and it can be attributed to hormonal changes.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

This is a very serious condition, often occurring as a complication of STDs. It is an infection of the upper genital tract that can lead to infertility.

Regardless of the presence of these conditions, it is important to regularly visit the local women’s health clinic. Jill Gibson, MD is happy to serve St. Tammany Parish, Hammond, and Franklinton from her Covington, LA office as your local gynecologist. Mandeville, LA women who desire an appointment are welcome to call our office today!