Many women wait until marriage or have difficulty seeing an obstetrician and fertility specialist for the first time. Every young girl and unmarried ladies confused about when they should see a gynecologist. What is the point of this visit, and how does it affect perceptions of women`s reproductive health? Some of the ladies wait until the severe symptoms come up; that’s not a great practice to follow. You should see your gynecologist once a year even if you have no such problem.
Here we sort out some confusion about laparoscopic or open surgeries in unmarried women. Please read carefully to quickly analyze your health and find out what is best for you.
When should you see a gynecologist?
There is no perfect time for everyone to see a gynecologist. But women don`t have to wait until after marriage to have the test. A gynecological examination with a specialist can follow any age, menstrual cycle, or reproductive health problem. For example, suppose a 14- or 15-year-old girl is not having her period or a girl entering puberty has irregular periods. In that case, her mother should take her to a gynecologist for a checkup.
Symptoms you should take seriously.
Vaginal bleeding and discharge are a normal part of the premenopausal menstrual cycle. However, talk to your healthcare provider if you notice something different or unusual. Don`t try to solve the problem yourself.
Symptoms can be because of a mild infection that is easy to treat. But if not treated properly, it can lead to more severe conditions, including kidney damage. Vaginal symptoms can also signify a more serious problem, such as reproductive cancer.
Gynecological symptoms may be similar to other conditions. Always visit and consult with Prof. Dr Rehana Aamer Khan (MBBS, FCPS) if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Intermenstrual bleeding,
- Frequent and urgent urination or a burning sensation when urinating,
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding,
- Postmenopausal bleeding,
- Or pelvic pain/pressure different from menstrual cramps,
- Itching, burning, swelling, redness, or any discomfort in the vaginal area,
- Sores or lumps in the genital area
- Foul-smelling, unusual, or unusually colored vaginal discharge
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Early detection of symptoms and immediate medical attention increase the chances of successful treatment.
Do I need to see a gynecologist without a problem?
The answer depends on the woman`s age and whether she is married. For married women, it`s even clearer; they can see a gynecologist about menstrual irregularities, contraceptive options, fertility treatments, and other issues.
For unmarried ladies who don`t have any problems, should they see a gynecologist? I recommend that all women see a gynecologist and fertility specialist before they get married or if they have any issues with their menstrual cycle. Raise awareness of fertility decline over time and discuss fertility preservation. During a visit to the gynecologist, a fertility specialist will examine a woman`s reproductive health and fertility level and, if necessary, suggest fertility-preserving solutions in case the ovarian reserve is diminished for various reasons affecting the chance of pregnancy.
Laparoscopic Surgery for Unmarried Women
Prof. Dr Rehana Aamer Khan (MBBS, FCPS) especially got training from Sharjah in Laparoscopic surgeries and from Belgium in Robotic surgeries. Some laparoscopic surgeries below have nothing to do with marriage or intercourse. Don`t be ashamed; if you have any problem, feel free to ask Prof. Dr Rehana Aamer Khan anytime.
- Laparoscopic Myomectomy
- Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
- Laparoscopic Vaginoplasty
- Laparoscopic Ovarian cyst surgery
- Laparoscopic Cervical Cancer treatment.
Fertility Specialist Visit
Fertility specialists examine the ovaries, uterus, and ovarian reserve with an ultrasound. They will also have blood tests to check levels of AMH and other hormones. These tests will give an idea and some insight into ovarian reserve and pregnancy chances. Ovarian reserve typically begins to decline in a woman`s 30s, reduces most after age 35, and peaks in her 40s. But sometimes, this decline occurs early enough to require intervention to preserve fertility. The shorter time or irregular cycles may indicate an accelerated decline in ovarian reserve.
In some cases, premature ovarian failure (POI), or so-called premature menopause, is caused by genetic causes. In all these cases, seeing an obstetrician and a fertility specialist is advisable. It is essential to avoid online forums and blogs that are not medically approved, as they may provide incorrect or misleading advice. It`s worth noting that, unfortunately, no test can tell how long a woman`s ovarian reserve lasts. Despite early testing, there are cases where ovarian reserve declines very early without any known cause.
Fertility Preservation
If a married woman wishes to delay pregnancy for any reason, she can preserve her fertility by freezing her eggs or embryos for later use. For unmarried women, their eggs can be frozen in their twenties or thirties, when the ovarian reserve is at its highest in quantity and quality. Then, when egg quality and quantity decline, frozen eggs can be used as needed, giving them a chance to conceive naturally or through assisted pregnancy treatments such as in vitro fertilization.
Egg freezing before marriage
There are two standard methods of egg retrieval; vaginal egg retrieval is usually used for married women. Another route is to retrieve oocytes from the abdomen by laparoscopy. The performance of this method is generally lower. The transvaginal approach is sometimes used with consent for single virgin women. In this case, we provide a medical certificate confirming that we have performed a medical intervention to retrieve the eggs through the vagina, which may have caused the hymen to rupture. Surgery is sometimes performed, and the hymen is left intact. There is no reason to worry about fertility preservation before marriage, as many options exist.
Another less common approach is the transrectal route before preparing an enema, and more recently, although limited to specialized centers, ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an option.
Prof. Dr Rehana Aamer Khan (MBBS, FCPS), Expert Laparoscopic Gynecologist Surgeon in Lahore
There is a lot of embarrassment and social and cultural question marks when an unmarried woman goes to an obstetrics and gynecology clinic. This hinders raising awareness and addressing many issues related to reproductive health.
There should be nothing wrong with visiting a gynecologist and fertility specialist before marriage for a fertility assessment and, if necessary, choosing a method of fertility preservation. We must also remember that single women may be divorced, separated, or widowed.