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Let’s Learn Ways To Effectively Prevent Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer is a kind of cancer that develops in the breast cells. It can happen due to various factors, like gender (females are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer), obesity, ageing, exposure to radiation, previous breast conditions, alcohol consumption and genetics.
Dear ladies, ILS Hospitals, the best hospital in Kolkata would like to bring forward preventive measures for breast cancer. But before we tell you the preventive tips for breast cancer, let’s know the symptoms of the same.
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Swelling in the breast or breasts
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Rashes and redness in the breast/s
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Changes in breast anatomy
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Changes in the nipples’ appearance
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Pain in the breasts
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Feeling of lumps or nodes in the breasts
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Discharge from nipples.
Now, it’s time to know how to prevent and lower your chances of developing breast cancer.
1. Maintain a healthy BMI:
Being overweight or obese (especially after menopause) puts you at more risk of developing breast cancer. Excessive fat issues increase the estrogen levels which in turn makes you vulnerable to breast cancer. To prevent breast cancer, keep a healthy body weight or BMI (18.5-24.9).
2. Control your alcohol consumption:
As we all know, alcohol consumption is injurious to health. Did you know, alcohol is also a culprit behind breast cancer? Alcohol not only raises your estrogen levels but also damages the DNA in cells causing cancer. Avoid consumption of alcohol or at least minimize it.
3. Do physical activities:
If you live an inactive lifestyle, you invite several health issues. It has been found that women who did physical activities regularly had a lower risk of breast cancer. So, ditch the sedentary lifestyle and engage yourself in physical activities.
4. Stop smoking:
Despite numerous warnings on the cigarette packets, people still smoke. Apart from lung cancer and other serious health conditions, smoking is also responsible for causing breast cancer. Ladies, if you have this harmful habit, get rid of it today to protect yourself from breast cancer.
5. Self-examine your breasts:
Regular breast self-exam (once a month) should be encouraged as it helps early diagnosis of any abnormality. To perform a breast self-exam, stand in front of the mirror and observe your breasts. Check for redness, swelling, change in size and nipple discharge. It is always best to learn this self-diagnostic method from an expert gynaecologist.
You should also consult an experienced gynaecologist, whenever you’ve any queries regarding your gynaecological health. Visit ILS Hospitals in Kolkata and Agartala for any medical help.
5 Common Pelvic Problems Faced By Many Womens
Being a woman is not easy. Women have to deal with many gynaecological issues during their entire life. Here we will tell you about 5 common pelvic problems faced by a majority of women.
1. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI):
A common gynaecological problem faced by many women is Urinary tract infection or UTI which can infect any part of the urinary system (bladder kidneys, ureters and urethra). UTI is generally caused by bacteria but in some cases, viruses and fungi can also contribute to this situation. The symptoms of UTI are as follows:
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Hematuria
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Urinary urgency
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Little or no urine
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Foul-smelling urine
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Dysuria or painful urination
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Fever and chills
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Pelvic pain.
Treatment involves antibiotics, antivirals, antifungal or antimycotic medication (depending on the causative agent).
2. Uterine Fibroids:
Uterine Fibroids are non-cancerous tumours that develop in the uterus usually during the childbearing years of a woman. They can be caused due to hormonal changes, family history of fibroids, obesity and early onset of puberty. The symptoms of fibroids depend on the size and number of tumours. Some symptoms associated with fibroids are as follows:
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Heavy and prolonged menstruation
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Severe menstrual cramps
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Constipation
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Frequent urination
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Pain during sexual intercourse
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Urinary retention or inability to empty the bladder
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Pelvic pain and discomfort
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Backache
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Bloating
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Abdominal swelling
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Anaemia
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Problems in conception and labour
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Recurrent miscarriage.
Treatment: Medication and surgery including the advance minimally-invasive procedures.
3. Ovarian cyst:
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that originate in the ovaries. They can occur because of hormonal problems, pregnancy, endometriosis, severe Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Ovarian cysts are painless and cause no major symptoms but can create problems if ruptured. Many times cysts go away on their own and don’t causes any symptoms. Some symptoms of this condition are as follows:
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Nausea and Vomiting
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Bloating
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Severe pain in the abdomen
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Pain and tenderness in the breasts
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Abnormal and irregular bleeding
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Severe pelvic pain
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Dyspareunia or pain during sex.
Treatment: Medication, ovarian cystectomy, oophorectomy and hysterectomy (laparoscopic procedures can be performed).
4. Endometriosis:
Endometriosis is a condition in which the uterine lining, the endometrium, grows outside the uterus. You can get endometriosis if you suffer from retrograde menstruation and have problems in the immune system. Endometriosis can also be caused by genetics, hormones and certain surgeries. The symptoms related to endometriosis are as follows:
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Dysmenorrhea or painful periods
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Pain during or after sexual intercourse
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Painful urination
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Heavy intermenstrual bleeding
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Constipation or diarrhoea
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Bloating
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Nausea
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Infertility.
Treatment is either medication or surgery.
5. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease:
PID is a bacterial infection that affects the female reproductive organs, like uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The sexually transmitted bacteria enters from the vagina and cervix and makes its way to the uterus. The symptoms associated with PID include:
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Pain in the lower abdomen
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Vaginal discharge
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Pain and bleeding during sexual intercourse
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Fever
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Pain and burning sensation while urination
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Irregular menstruation.
Treatment includes antibiotics.
Visit ILS Hospitals in Kolkata and Agartala for a complete treatment from the best gynaecologists.
Can You Conceive Again After A Miscarriage
Miscarriage or pregnancy loss is a condition where the fetus dies before the four months of pregnancy. Pregnancy loss is a disturbing situation which can hamper the emotional state of the woman. The first question that all couples frequently ask the gynaecologist after a miscarriage is, will they ever be able to become parents again or is conception possible after a miscarriage.
To help such couples, ILS Hospitals would clear all the misconceptions related to pregnancy after miscarriage. So, can a woman get pregnant again after a pregnancy loss? The simple answer is, yes, she can. Several medical cases reveal that women who previously miscarried can give birth to healthier babies, so if you have experienced a miscarriage, do not believe or assume that you can never become a mother ever. The only thing to consider is whether the woman is emotionally and physically healthy enough to become a mother again. It is always preferred to wait for two-three menstrual periods after miscarriage before you try for a baby, to ensure that your hormones are perfectly balanced.
If you’re planning to conceive after a miscarriage, take note of these following tips:
1. Eat a diet full of essential nutrients:
If you follow a healthy diet, you will have a healthy body which significantly means a healthy and successful pregnancy. Make fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, lentils, legumes, dry fruits, poultry and seafood a part of your diet.
2. Quit unhealthy lifestyle choices:
The two most lethal unhealthy habits responsible for decreasing your chances of conceiving are – smoking and alcohol consumption. If you frequently eat outside food, you should stop that from now onwards. Avoid a desk-bound or inactive lifestyle.
3. Do not stress:
As we all know, stress is a silent killer. Understandably, stress and worry are common when you’re trying to conceive after losing a baby, still being positive and free of any stress is the only option. Stress surely has an impact on your ovulation process which further determines your chances of conception.
4. Consult with a gynaecologist:
If you’re trying to get pregnant, then gynaecologist is the only person you should ask for medical supervision. Your OB-GYN will diagnose and address any underlying cause behind the previous miscarriage and might prescribe you fertility treatment, if needed.
You can always visit ILS Hospitals in case of any medical assistance. We have expert gynaecologists in our hospitals in Kolkata and Agartala.
Female Infertility: Signs And Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis And Treatment
Infertility means being unable to conceive children. In this blog, we will mainly focus on female infertility. In basic words, female infertility is the incapability to conceive a baby even after numerous unprotected sexual intercourse with a fertile partner. There are many reasons responsible for infertility in women. To be on the safer side, regular visits to the gynaecologist should become the norm of every married or unmarried woman. You need to look for these below-mentioned signs and symptoms to find the status of your fertility. Here are some signs and symptoms related to infertility:
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Irregular menstruation: If you have a history of frequent missed periods or irregularities in the duration (if your period lasts for than seven days) of the menstrual cycle, it is a sign of female infertility.
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Painful menses: Periods are painful, but if they become intolerable and give excruciating muscle cramps and are accompanied with heavy bleeding, then it might indicate towards infertility.
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Dyspareunia: If every time you suffer from pain and agony during sexual intercourse, it’s time for you to consult medical advice as it is not a normal phenomenon.
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Unwanted hair growth or hair loss: Another common symptom is hirsutism which is the excessive growth of hair on unwanted areas or alopecia or baldness on the hair scalp.
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Sudden weight loss or gain: One of the symptoms of female infertility is unanticipated weight loss or weight gain. There are various factors responsible for gaining or losing weight so getting medical consultation is the only way to find out the cause.
Let’s find the causes responsible for infertility in women.
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Tubal infertility or blocked and damaged fallopian tubes
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Earlier miscarriages
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Multiple abortions
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PCOS
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Endometriosis
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Ectopic pregnancies in the past
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Sexually transmitted infections
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Fibroids or ovarian cysts
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Obesity
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Smoking
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Alcohol consumption.
We will now throw some insight on diagnosis and treatment available for known causes of female infertility.
Diagnostic tests recommended by OB-GYN doctor to determine female infertility
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Urine test
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Blood test
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Ultrasound scan
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X-Ray: Hysterosalpingography (HSG)
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Hysteroscopy
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Laparoscopy.
Surely, there are various treatment methods available for this. The prescribed treatment differs for every woman. To name a few treatment methods, we have mentioned them below:
1. Fertility drugs and medication.
2. Hysteroscopy
3. Tubal surgeries
4. IVF (In vitro fertilization)
5. Artificial insemination.
We, at ILS Hospitals, provide a precise diagnosis and necessary treatment for female infertility. Book an online appointment for medical consultation from our expert gynaecologists in kolkata.
10 Facts About Breast Cancer Every Women Should Know About!
Cancer, in general, is a critical illness, but breast cancer is one very common type that claims many lives all over the world. World Health Organization identifies breast cancer as the most prevalent type of cancer among women and a leading cause of death among them. Gynaecologists advise every adult woman to have some knowledge about breast cancer in brief as it often comes handy to seek timely treatment.
Here we present a few facts about breast cancer
1. Aging is a prime risk factor of breast cancer. Though many younger women are being diagnosed with breast cancer, it is mostly found in women aging more than 55.
2. Though women have an exceptionally high risk of breast cancer, more and more cases of male breast cancer are surfacing in recent years.
3. One in every 8 women is at risk of developing breast cancer, in their lifetime.
4. Women with first family (mother, daughter or sister), with a history of breast cancer, have a higher risk of the same. It is almost twice as compared to women without it.
5. However, surprisingly about 8 out of 10 breast cancer patients have no family history of the same.
6. Having denser breast tissue, with more fibrosis and glandular tissue is more likely to have breast cancer. A routine mammogram can identify it in time and thus annual screening is advised for women above 40 years.
7. Breastfeeding for a year or so reduces the risks of breast cancer and a few other gynaecological issues in the future.
8. Overweight and obese is a major risk factor for breast cancer. Proper adequate exercise can mitigate its risk for good.
9. A proper self-breast exam can also detect an abnormality in time, leading to timely treatment of the same.
10. Many breast cancer tumours onset in the underarm and armpits as well. A timely ultrasound scan can detect them on time.
Bonus Fact-
Eating healthy and quitting smoking and alcohol can promote good health and mitigate the chances of breast cancer.
Every year, the month of October is observed as the breast cancer awareness month. During this festive season, when we bow down to the supreme female deity Durga, let us also acknowledge the empowering women, who work tirelessly for the family’s health and wellbeing. ILS Hospitals encourages every woman to avail Well Women Health Check-Up Package to address critical threats such as breast and uterus cancer along with other prevalent gynaecological discomforts.
Visit https://bit.ly/2y52uo3 to book your package now!
Breastfeeding Tips for Every New Mother
As Robert S. Mendelsohn rightly said, “Mother’s milk, time-tested for millions of years, is the best nutrient for babies because it is nature’s perfect food.”
If you are a mother, you can certainly relate to it. However, breastfeeding is one extremely challenging job. Many gynaecologists and obstetricians encounter new, inexperienced mother panicking due to not being able to nurse properly. So, today we are offering some tips for new mothers and moms-to-be to have a somewhat more comfortable nursing time.
- Position yourself comfortably. If you are not comfortable, neither will be your baby.
- There is no perfect rule, so choose what works best for you. Experiment and pick between couch, bed and rocking chair.
- Place as many pillows you need under back, lap or legs for support and comfort.
- Hold and cradle your baby on the same side as the breast you want to nurse with. Use a pillow for support, if needed.
- You have an overactive ‘super baby’, you can hold her lower arm under your arm to mitigate the possibility of interference.
- Cup your breast and let your baby latch onto it gently. It might take several attempts before the baby stay latched on, so be patient.
- Once the baby starts feeding, hold her close to support and encourage the nursing.
- After the baby is done, don’t pull out your nipple instantly, as it may cause injury to your nipples. Instead, insert a finger in her mouth to break off the contact gently.
Ideally, each session of breastfeeding last only several minutes, but quite frequently, as your baby’s stomach is small and digestion is quite fast. Stay prepared to get in action every few hours. Feel free to try out different lactating position to find the one working best for you. As a tip to relax, you can play some music or instrumental in a mild tone. It will encourage you to relax, have happy thoughts and focus on your bond with your baby.
While breastfeeding, you may encounter many complications such as insufficient milk supply, sore or cracked nipples etc. Moreover, if you had a high-risk pregnancy or preterm birth, your baby might have a problem latching on. Instead of enduring all the discomfort or depression, seek help. As you might need special guidance or equipment from your gynaecologist or obstetrician, get in touch with one.
Breastfeeding is a rather special time of your life. Do all you can to make this memorable and comfortable.
ILS Hospitals Organized Yet Another Successful Gyne-Endoscopy Program
ILS Hospitals, being a FOGSI conducts Gynae-Endoscopy Program from time to time. The 3rd gyne-endoscopy program was conducted from 31st July 2018. the program attracted several aspiring gynecologists by offering salient highlights such as live surgery, hands-on experience, interactive sessions, and certifications.
Renowned Dr. Aruna Tantia, Dr. Om Tantia, and other well-known doctors nurtured these young minds to learn the real-time practical knowledge outside their textbooks. Needless to say, it will help them shape their future even more effectively. The delegates, now with hands-on practice are moving ahead with their bright future.
Different Means of Contraceptives
What is a Contraception?
Use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy.
What are the types?
There are 5 different types of contraceptives that allows you to avoid unwanted conception. It is recommended to contact your gynaecologist about this matter and will help you pick the suitable one for your family planning
In the last 50 years, the number of contraception methods has dramatically increased. Most types of contraceptives work as per one or more of the following principles:
a) Prevents the release of the egg, every month
b) Prevents sperms from reaching the egg
c) Blocks the reproductive function – in either/both men and women
d) Prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus
Here are the 5 different methods using which you can prevent yourself from conceiving.
The Pill
Even if many options are available these days, the pill remains the most popular form of Female contraception.
One needs to keep in mind that the pill does not provide any protection against STDs and you need the prescription of your gynecologist to buy it as well.
The Condom
Among the different types of contraceptives, the condom is a strong contender to the title of most common contraception method. It is affordable and offers the dual protection against STDs and unwanted conception. Nowadays, there is also a female version of it that works on the same principle.
The Contraceptive Implant
The contraceptive implant is yet another solution that provides long-term protection. It stays effective for up to three years on average. However, the implant does not protect against STDs.
The contraceptive implant is made up of silver that has spermicide properties. Thereby, it mitigates the possibility of conception. The implant is inserted into the uterus by a healthcare specialist and needs to be removed after three years.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception mitigates the chances of conception even after having unprotected physical intimacy. This method is for one-off occasions and is not recommended for daily use.
Sterilization
A sterilization is an option available for both men and women. Though this does not provide protection against STDs but remains effective on non-conception for a lifetime. In rare cases, the process can be reversed, making pregnancy a possibility.
For both male and female, sterilization is a very simple operation. You have the choice between surgical and non-surgical types of sterilization. This can be taken for the couple who are already through family planning.
Read more – 5 common Types of gynaecological surgeries techniques
We observe World Population Day on 11th July. Every year this day is a reminder to us as to how overpopulated the world has become. So one needs to remember that to secure our Earth for each and every living being, one needs to curtail overpopulation by standing against it. So be careful in your actions, and help to make the world a better place to live.
Why India is Becoming a Hub for Fertility Tourism?
Having a baby is the most important moment for every parent out there. However, not every couple is blessed with having a baby. As per gynecologists, conceiving normally, carrying it to a full term and having a safe childbirth has become a challenge lately for many couples. In such cases seeking medical help becomes inevitable.
Many places have expertise in providing such fertility assistance as compared to others. Traveling to such a place for availing these medical services is called as the fertility tourism, and it belongs to the broader concept of medical tourism. India is becoming a leading hub for fertility treatment for people from all over the world. Here are some of the reasons for the same-
1. Legal liability
Even though having trouble in conception is becoming a global threat, not every country is taking adequate measures to address it. Thereby, seeking help in one’s home country often is not possible. These legal constraints are often seen more in developing nations, where traditional beliefs are given more weight than scientific means or logic. In India, seeking and providing fertility assistance is legal, thereby making the process more safe and transparent.
2. Surrogacy/ donation assistance
Often the couple fails to have a successful conception solely on their own. Thereby it calls out for the need of either/or surrogacy and donation (sperm, eggs etc). After the Supreme Court has made these fertility assistance legal, the availability of personnel ready to provide such assistance has become very high in India.
3. Economical expense
Having a baby is surely joyous, but it is also very expensive at the same time. Having a baby with the medical help adds significant additional budget to the same. Thankfully, in India, the expense of this entire procedure is much affordable as compared to many developed countries. Simultaneously a lesser expense does not imply a poor quality treatment, instead, in India, the successful conception rate has been found much higher as compared to many other fertility tourism hubs.
To make the process even more smooth and transparent, many of the fertility assistance providers offer these services in a package, which is inclusive of the fertility treatment, transportation, charge of surrogacy or donation, and delivery of baby etc.
In a nutshell, India is an excellent place to get medical fertility assistance for the people who face difficulty in conceiving naturally. It enlightens lives of many parents and gives them a new meaning of life.
7 Common Types of Pelvic Diseases
There are various and sometimes few fatal issues related to our pelvic organ that might affect our lives. An experienced gynecologist can solve most of these if consulted on time.
The most common pelvis related issues are mentioned in the following points:
1. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): PID is a disease that occurs in the female reproductive organs such as the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and cervix. It is usually caused due to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) like gonorrhea or chlamydia. PID can also cause serious issues if remained untreated and one might have trouble in getting pregnant or may have persistent pelvic pain throughout.
2. Vulvodynia: Recently, doctors have discovered that pelvic pain may also arise due to muscle tissues and irritation in nerves, which they specifically named as Vulvodynia. It has no definite reason of cause but it might occur due to previous yeast infection, soreness, dehydration, chronic stress, and depression. Pain or burning may be around external vagina walls, G-spot and so forth.
3. Endometriosis: It is a condition where an abnormal endometrial tissue grows in a place outside the uterus. Even this disease have no specific reason for a cause but if not treated may lead to infertility. The pain will occur during intercourse, urination or bowel movements.
4. Primary dysmenorrhea/Menstrual Cramps: Commonly, we are all aware of the cramp during the menstrual periods but if it exists even after 7 days, it is possible that the pain could be also the reason of some other issues. Usually, menstrual cramps occur due to irregular bleeding or spotting.
5. Urinary Incontinence: It is one of the most common pelvic diseases that are found in women and also in men. It is especially found in women. It may happen due to many reasons such as stress incontinence, urge, and overflow, mixed, functional and sometimes gross total incontinence.
6. Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: PCS is one of the common syndrome found among the women under the age of 45 who have gone through 2 or 3 pregnancies. It is very rare in women with no pregnancy record.
7. Infections: The most common type of pelvic disease also includes vaginal infections. There a quite a number of different infections that are faced by the female at least for once in their lifetime. This includes infections such as Yeast infection, Bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas, etc.
Therefore, these are the few common types of pelvic or vaginal related disease that might trouble a woman’s life. If you show symptoms or is suffering from any of the above-mentioned diseases, feel free consult a certified and highly experienced Gynecologists to provide you the best service with proper guidance.