San Antonio is a city in South West Texas and one of the most populated cities in the United States. Therefore, there are plenty of menopausal women in the city. San Antonio menopause specialists abide aplenty including gynecologists, and every menopausal woman should see one.
Many women think that once they enter their menopausal years that their trip to the OB/GYN will no longer be necessary. Nothing could be farther from the truth as the body still continues to change after menopause.
It is especially true for the reproductive system which changes dramatically during menopause. The following is why every woman should see an OB/GYN after menopause:
Pelvic Exams
Pelvic exams are vital for women of every age. Annual pelvic exams are still important for women even after menopause.
These screening are important for symptoms that indicate problems with the cervix, vagina, uterus, and ovaries. Women of all ages can still experience reproductive issues even though their reproductive parts may not serve the same functions.
When pelvic organs become prolapsed, they can present issues in menopausal women. Such issues affect the overall health of a woman and should be addressed as early as possible.
Pap smears should also be regularly done for menopausal women. Women are still prone to conditions such as HPV up to the age of 65.
Hormonal Imbalance
When a woman enters menopause, she becomes more prone to hormonal imbalances than before. It is particularly so as it pertains to estrogen levels in the body.
Estrogen is vital for the proper functioning of many elements of a woman’s body. The same is true whether it is before or after entering menopause.
An OB/GYN will take accurate measurements of your estrogen and other hormone levels to ensure that you are healthy. Hormonal imbalances can result in adverse effects including drastic mood swings and vaginal dryness.
You can then take the necessary steps to regain your hormonal balance which will help you stay on top of your health.
Urinary and Fecal Incontinence
Urinary and fecal incontinence are common symptoms of menopause. These are conditions whereby bowel movements are not as smooth as they previously were or there is a loss of control of bowel movements.
Though there is much else you can do to help your bowel movements during menopause, visiting an OB/GYN is definitely an important one. They will know what the reproductive causes of the incontinence are and will offer apt solutions for the problem.
Urinary and fecal incontinence will affect menopausal women in different ways. Therefore, you should visit a gynecologist as there is no one size fits all approach in this regard.
Vaginal Issues
A large portion of menopausal women complain of irritation in their vagina and vulva. The irritation could include itching, dryness, or burning which typically happens when estrogen levels in the female body drop.
Such issues significantly affect the libido of menopausal women. They may also cause sex to be extremely painful unless artificial lubrication is used such as pills or creams. They can also cause substantial emotional distress.