Gynaecological Problems

Menstruation refers to the days when the menstrual blood flows from the vagina. A cycle is the time from the first day of menstruation to the last day before the next menstruation. This is different for every woman but normally takes happens about every 21 to 35 days. Usually, menstrual bleeding occurs 28 days after the last period. Normally menstruation starts with heavier bleeding, which becomes lighter over the next few days. The light red blood becomes darker and darker. The menstrual period lasts three to six days and at the end, there may well be spotting with old, brownish blood. As a rule, women lose a total of about 50-60 millilitres of blood during menstruation.

Cycle disturbances or irregularities in the female cycle can occur, which relate to the frequency, duration and strength/heaviness of menstruation. They are normal immediately after the first menstrual period, as menstruation and hormonal changes must first settle down.

There are many causes of cycle disturbances. Since the cycle is hormonally controlled, hormonal disorders, as well as diseases of the female sexual organs, are most often the cause of changes. Moreover, medication, genetic disposition, physical or psychological stress can also be the cause of cycle problems.

Menstruation refers to the days when the menstrual blood flows from the vagina. A cycle is the time from the first day of menstruation to the last day before the next menstruation. This is different for every woman but normally takes happens about every 21 to 35 days. Usually, menstrual bleeding occurs 28 days after the last period. Normally menstruation starts with heavier bleeding, which becomes lighter over the next few days. The light red blood becomes darker and darker. The menstrual period lasts three to six days and at the end, there may well be spotting with old, brownish blood. As a rule, women lose a total of about 50-60 millilitres of blood during menstruation.

Cycle disturbances or irregularities in the female cycle can occur, which relate to the frequency, duration and strength/heaviness of menstruation. They are normal immediately after the first menstrual period, as menstruation and hormonal changes must first settle down.

There are many causes of cycle disturbances. Since the cycle is hormonally controlled, hormonal disorders, as well as diseases of the female sexual organs, are most often the cause of changes. Moreover, medication, genetic disposition, physical or psychological stress can also be the cause of cycle problems.

The beginning or end of a relationship or major life changes, such as pregnancy, menopause or illness, can cause a woman’s sexual desire (libido) to naturally fluctuate. It is true that not every sexual pause means that one’s sexuality is disturbed. However, if the listlessness, pain or other problems in sexuality occur in the long term and cause suffering, women should react urgently. One reason for low libido can be a lack of male hormones in the female hormone balance, caused by taking contraceptives or due to menopause. In rare cases, various kidney and heart diseases, diabetes, depression and the taking of medication can reduce sexual desire. Being concerned by your lack of sexual activity or fantasies, having no interest in sexual activity or no sexual fantasies at all are symptoms of low libido.

Menopause is a natural biological process and marks the time the end of your menstrual cycles. It’s diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period and can start in a woman’s 40s or 50s. Physical and psychological complaints during this period usually last between six months to three years, until the body has gotten used to the new hormonal situation. In some women, menopause triggers symptoms that severely impair the quality of life, and they may experience, hot flushes, sweating, insomnia, back and joint complaints, mood swings and depressive moods as some of the most common symptoms.

Endometriosis is a benign, sometimes painful growth of tissue of the endometrium. The presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity is one of the most common gynaecological diseases. Since female sex hormones have an important influence on the course of the disease, women are usually affected between puberty and menopause. After the menopause, the symptoms can subside or even disappear.

The most common benign growths that occur in the muscle layer of the uterus (myoma) can develop in any woman. It is suspected that the female hormone oestrogen also plays an important role in this process, as does genetic predisposition.

Endometriosis and fibroids are often asymptomatic. Sometimes symptoms that my present are abnormal uterine bleeding, bleeding between periods, prolonged spotting, as well as heavy or painful period pain, fullness in the lower abdomen and pelvic area, enlarged uterus or abdomen, frequent urination, painful bowel movements, pain during sex, lower back pain, infertility, multiple miscarriages or early labour.

A little vaginal discharge is normal and occurs in every woman. As part of normal body function, the daily secretion of secretions may vary from woman to woman and the amount of discharge may change during the cycle. A healthy vaginal flora, including vaginal discharge, prevents the penetration and proliferation of germs and ensures the correct vaginal acidity level. Bacterial infections, fungal infestation and viruses can cause vaginal discharge. Taking antibiotics also disturb the vaginal flora, resulting in an imbalance that provides a better breeding ground for pathogenic germs or fungi. They can cause symptoms such as redness, itching, burning, pain in the vaginal area, extreme dryness or a coloured or foul-smelling discharge.

Sexual arousal causes the secretion from glands, which moistens the vaginal duct. The fluid is then pressed out of a venous plexus surrounding the vagina. The most common reason for vaginal dryness is a disturbed hormone balance of women. During pregnancy or when the female body enters the menopause, the oestrogen level decreases. This cause changes the sexual organs as the blood flow decreases, and the vagina and labia are less well supplied with blood and thus the vaginal wall becomes thinner. Sufficient fluid to lubricate can’t be produced anymore. Anxiety, stress or nervousness can also manifest itself negatively as vaginal dryness. Diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis and endometriosis as well as certain drugs and hormonal contraceptives can lead to vaginal dryness. Pain and bleeding during or after intercourse, burning and itching in the genital area and burning when urinating are typical symptoms.

Vaginal itching can have many different causes. The most common non-infectious cause is excessive intimate hygiene. The natural bacterial flora of the vagina can be thrown out of balance due to too frequent washing or hormonal fluctuations. Psychological problems can also be a cause of vaginal itching. Persistent itching can indicate fungal infections of the vagina. They also show symptoms such as burning of the vagina, whitish patches, reddened vaginal skin and an altered, usually coloured discharge and urine.