Gynaecological issues in your teenage years

It is an exciting time as you turn into a woman! Here are some of the gynaecological issues you should keep a look out for:

Period issues
These can be very variable and range from irregular, heavy, long, painful periods to bleeding in between periods or after sex. Different period issues can surface at different times in your life and you should consult your gynaecologist if they last beyond 2-3 cycles – at your age, here are some of the common causes:

• Endometriosis
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Pelvic inflammatory disease`

Ovarian cysts
Ovarian cysts are a common finding at your age and not all of them require treatment. However, some cysts may impact your health and will need to be checked out by your gynaecologist.

Birth control
if you intend to be sexually active but are yet not planning for pregnancy, you should discuss with your gynaecologist to find a reliable birth control method so as to avoid the risk of unwanted pregnancies.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
These are infections spread through oral, vaginal, penile or anal sexual contact. Not everybody who gets STIs has symptoms, but if you do experience vaginal itch, foul smelling vaginal discharge, fever, discomfort, painful sex, bleeding in between periods or after sex, or genital warts (small growths in and around the genital region) – do seek help from your gynaecologist.
Only condoms can protect you from getting STIs, so do use them consistently.

Prevention of cervical cancer
Prevention is always better than cure! You should consider taking the HPV vaccine, preferably before having sex for the first time and continue to do your Pap smear regularly with your gynaecologist.