Women’s health has long taken a backseat to men’s health–as far as research and overarching conversations go. In particular, women’s sexual health (including gynecological issues) is drastically understudied compared to their male counterparts.
This is likely a result of systemic blindspots and biases. Women are also psychologically conditioned to self-sacrifice, putting our needs on the back burner for the benefit of others.
Perhaps, another reason for this lack of research is that women live longer than men. Thus, it’s assumed we have a leg up–so why prioritize our health and wellness needs?
A lack of willingness to discuss gynecological health could result from a deeply ingrained modesty. It’s often enforced into our minds that being modest is virtuous, and talking openly about these more intimate issues is untoward.
The paradigm surrounding women and their gynecological health must shift for these boundaries to be hurdled.
This paradigm shift includes making more resources available regarding gynecological health and wellness. As GYN surgical specialists, we want to educate any woman looking to gain insights into GYN surgical procedures.
Why Would You Need To Work With A GYN Surgeon?
While we don’t have access to more recent global numbers, there were 86.5 million OB/GYN surgery procedures worldwide in 2017. Remember that this number isn’t accounting for the 10 million women in the US who can’t receive related care due to insurance-based and financial boundaries. Additionally, many countries don’t provide seamless access to OB/GYN treatments.
The number of women needing to work with gynecological surgery specialists vastly exceeds those who actually receive such care.
We’ll say it loud for all women to hear: your gynecological health demands your attention. Do everything possible to overcome hurdles and receive the care you need and deserve.
Why is gynecological care so crucial?
Conditions such as cervical cancer, the human papillomavirus (HPV), and breast cancer don’t necessarily show signs or symptoms until it’s too late.
Screening for these conditions with frequent GYN tests and exams helps you catch them in their infancy, allowing for the most effective treatments. Your gynecologist (who specializes in diagnosing and treating female reproductive system diseases) would do these tests.
A GYN test might indicate you require a more intensive procedure. The doctor could detect fibroids (benign tumors), endometriosis, cancer, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease, abnormal bleeding, uterine prolapse, etc. The presence of any one of these issues could mean a patient needs to work with gynecological surgeons.
You’d likely be referred to a GYN surgical specialist if any of the above issues are present.
What Falls Under The GYN Surgical Specialist Umbrella?
Gynecological surgery specialists focus on any surgical procedure incorporating the female pelvic region’s organs and structure. This list of organs and structures includes the following:
- Uterus.
- Cervix.
- Ovaries.
- Vagina.
- Vulva.
- Fallopian tubes.
Much of the time, working with a GYN surgical specialist is a preventative measure. Undergoing a procedure to mitigate a potential red flag will pay dividends to your quality of life as the years go by.
How Are Gynecological Surgical Procedures Performed?
A GYN surgical specialist typically performs gynecological surgical procedures in the following three manners:
- Open Surgery:
- A GYN surgeon makes an incision into the patient’s belly.
- Laparoscopic Surgery:
- Four to six tiny incisions are made in the patient’s abdomen.
- Then, the GYN surgical specialist will insert a camera and surgical instruments through the incisions to perform the procedure.
- Vaginal Approach:
- A GYN surgeon will perform the surgery through the patient’s vaginal opening.
How Often Do You Need To Receive GYN Exams?
There is no overstating the value of catching gynecological red flags before they manifest into something more harmful. Thus, regularly-scheduled GYN exams are ideal for all women, starting between the ages of 13 and 16.
What do we mean by regularly scheduled?
Fortunately, all it typically takes to stay on top of your gynecological health is one annual exam. That said, checkups would be more frequent if you’re dealing with or recovering from a GYN-related condition or disease.
Keeping up with your scheduled GYN exams will limit the chances of needing surgery. Even if an issue requires the expert hands of a GYN surgeon, you increase the likelihood of the procedure being minor through regularly scheduled GYN exams.
What To Expect During Your GYN Exam.
Your GYN care provider will ask you about your medical and family history during your exam. They’ll assess your vital signs (e.g., heart rate, height, weight, and blood pressure).
Your care provider will also ask you about the following:
- Pregnancy history.
- Periods.
- Sexual activity.
- GYN-related disease history.
- GYN surgery history.
- Contraception needs.
- Potential current symptoms.
You’ll then receive a pelvic exam. This includes an external vulva examination and an internal vagina and cervix examination (using a speculum). You’ll also undergo a uterus and ovary exam.
Speculum exams often include a Pap smear–which entails brushing your cervix cells, which are later examined in a laboratory.
Topics such as lifestyle changes, vaccinations, and screening tests will also be discussed. These suggestions will be made based on age and any potential risk factors.
What Issues Should You Discuss With Your GYN Care Provider?
You can really ask your GYN provider anything. They’re not specialized in all aspects of healthcare, but they are medical experts and can still provide pivotal insights.
Specifically, though, the following symptoms/warning signs should be immediately brought to the attention of your GYN specialist:
- Missed periods.
- Heavy periods.
- Bleeding in between periods.
- Abnormal bleeding.
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse.
- Painful intercourse.
- Pelvic pain.
- Bloating.
- Questionable vaginal discharge.
- Bowel movement problems.
- Issues with passing urine.
- Signs of menopause.
- Vulvar changes.
- Breast-related concerns (e.g., lumps, puckering, nipple discharge, or pain).
Preparing For GYN Surgery.
Are you about to undergo GYN surgery?
It will help you know what to expect after your procedure. This way, you can emotionally prepare yourself for what’s to come.
We’ll point out that GYN procedures vary, but this is a more generalized guide. Your care provider will give you a specific breakdown of what to expect based on your unique circumstances.
Using The Bathroom Right After Surgery.
A nurse typically monitors your bowel and bladder function post-surgery. A catheter may be placed in your bladder to drain urine during or prior to surgery.
Catheters will be removed within 24 hours following your surgery–although your surgeon might suggest otherwise.
Vaginal Packing.
Once the surgery is complete, a type of gauze–known as vaginal packing–might be used to reduce your bleeding. It resembles a large tampon and will be removed by the time you’re headed home.
Wounds.
Patients undergoing a laparoscopic procedure will have three to six small incisions in their bellies. Usually, they’re covered with sterilized strips.
Those who undergo open procedures will have their incisions dressed in gauze for the proceeding 48 hours after surgery. After this period, dressings are removed, and all incisions are left open if there’s no drainage. The nurse will explain and teach home care for the incisions.
Vaginal Discharge.
Vaginal discharge or spotting is common following a GYN surgery. Don’t be surprised if this symptom lasts four to six weeks after your procedure date.
The discharge could be reddish-brown, pinkish, or red, emitting a moderate odor.
Use pads and change them every four hours–at a minimum–for optimal drainage.
Don’t put anything in your vagina–including tampons–until your doctor tells you it’s safe to do otherwise.
Sexual Activity.
Patients working with a GYN surgeon may have to avoid having sexual intercourse or putting anything in their vaginas for up to two months after surgery (or when your doctor tells you it’s okay). The use of this healing measure depends on what procedure you have.
Your body needs to heal, and intercourse could hamper your recovery. However, you might be able to resume other sexual activities before you’re fully recovered. Talk to your care provider if you have questions on this matter.
Emotions.
Your body can experience a plethora of changes post-surgery. It’s entirely normal to feel mixed emotions about these changes.
Speak with your gynecological care provider if you’re worried about your ability to manage post-surgery emotions.
Patients whose ovaries are removed might experience surgically-induced menopause (if they haven’t already gone through menopause). This reaction can lead to hot flashes, irritability, mood swings, etc.
Patients who experience surgically-induced menopause should discuss symptom management with their care provider.
Call 911 If These Symptoms Present Themselves:
GYN surgeons are highly skilled, and available surgical technology makes procedures safer than ever. Nonetheless, surgery will always come with the risk of complications.
Provided you experience any of the symptoms below after your GYN surgery, call 911:
- Chest discomfort with shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or faintness.
- Fainting spells.
- Bright red blood in urine or stool.
- Coughing up blood.
- Shortness of breath that worsens and you can’t relive through rest.
- Sudden issues arise with general coordination, walking, or speaking.
Reach Out To Your GYN Surgical Specialist If You Experience These Symptoms:
Inform your GYN surgeon ASAP if you experience any of the following symptoms after your surgery:
- The vagina is producing a foul-smelling discharge.
- Vaginal bleeding requires the need for more than one sanitary pad every hour.
- Vaginal blood is bright red.
- Your urine smells foul.
- Burning during urination.
- General trouble with urination.
- Severe abdominal pain or bloating.
- Drainage from the incision is persistent or changes in appearance/color (e.g., it turns yellow or green).
- Medication isn’t relieving pain.
- Redness, tenderness, or warmth is increasing around the surgery site.
- Dressing or tape is causing blisters or other irritation.
- A spike in fever (39˚ Celsius/102.2˚ Fahrenheit or greater) with or without body chills or shakes.
- A high-grade fever (38.5˚ Celsius/101.3˚ Fahrenheit and above) persists for two days-plus.
- Swelling and pain develop in the calves.
Your GYN surgeon won’t always be available. In this instance, you can either:
- Visit a walk-in medical practice.
- Contact your family doctor.
- Got to the ER (if the clinic is closed).
Is Gynecological Surgery Safe?
Around four million gynecological surgeries are performed annually in the US. Many related procedures are routine and are completed with zero complications.
Still, all surgery comes with risk. Those risks are more prevalent as the severity of the surgery increases. This is one of the reasons it’s crucial to catch warning signs of GYN-related health issues early. Even if you need to undergo a procedure with a GYN surgical specialist, the risks for complications will be minimal if the problem is discovered in its infancy.
Examples of complications that can occur after gynecological surgery are as follows:
- Infection.
- Hemorrhage.
- Thromboembolism.
- Visceral damage.
There are two crucial aspects of women’s health and wellness:
- Proactivity in optimizing your well-being and preventing issues.
- Finding the best care provider to help you achieve your health-related goals.
Part of being proactive with your reproductive health is educating yourself on potential risks and measures you can take to prevent those risks.
You’ve begun–or are continuing–your learning process by reading this page. You can take it one step further by reading about the other specialty surgeries we perform at the Fibroid And Pelvice Wellness Center.
Or, contact us directly if you prefer your questions answered in a more personalized setting.
Specialty Gynecological Surgeries.
Read on as we discuss some of the specialty gynecological procedures performed at the Fibroid And Pelvic Wellness Center.
Robotic Surgeries.
We’ll start with the clear benefits of robotic GYN surgeries:
- Major surgeries can be performed through tiny incisions.
- Related procedures provide a definitive treatment while offering the potential for significant pain reduction.
- Hospital stays are typically shorter after undergoing this type of surgery.
- Minimal blood loss.
- Reduced scarring.
- Recovery times are usually shorter.
- This technique is often conducive to better surgical outcomes.
Robotic surgeries often neutralize the challenges of open and laparoscopic surgeries.
Dr. Hawkins, a GYN surgical specialist at our clinic, uses the da Vinci® Surgical System. She has honed her robotic skills alongside world-renowned da Vinci surgeons, developing her proficiency in the following robotic surgeries:
- Myomectomies (fibroid removal).
- Hysterectomies.
- Various ovarian procedures
Another GYN surgeons at our clinic, Dr. Davis and Dr. De, is robotically trained to provide robotics-assisted laparoscopic surgeries.
Note that the da Vinci Surgical System doesn’t operate or make its own decisions. Each surgical maneuver it performs is dictated by a GYN surgical specialist.
Endometriosis Resection.
Endometriosis causes the tissue (i.e., the endometrium) within the uterus lining to grow outside the uterus. This disorder can cause severe pain and discomfort. It can adversely impact your bowels, ovaries, or peritoneum (pelvis’s tissue lining).
Although it’s rare, endometriosis can spread beyond your pelvic region.
Dr. Davis’s and Dr. Hawkins’ surgical technique to treat endometriosis revolves around excising the endometriosis implants.
Hysterectomy.
Hysterectomies may involve surgically removing the uterus and–frequently–the cervix.
Patients may require a hysterectomy for the following diseases or conditions:
- Uterine Prolapse:
- This occurs when the uterus sinks or moves downward from its normal position in the vagina.
- Fibroid Tumors:
- These tumors are non-cancerous but can cause pain and pressure in the pelvic region.
- Fibroid tumors can also cause painful intercourse, abdominal distortion, heavy bleeding, and many other symptoms.
- Uterus Or Cervical Cancer:
- Gynecologic oncologists (surgical specialists with expertise in cancer) related procedures are often required to operate on patients with these conditions.
Additionally, hysterectomies might be necessary for treating endometriosis.
While ovaries might need to be removed during a hysterectomy, it’s not necessarily required. Fallopian tubes will be removed with the uterus, though, since they serve no function without it.
Hysterectomies are performed through the following surgical approaches at our clinic:
- Total laparoscopic hysterectomy.
- Totally vaginal hysterectomy.
- Total abdominal hysterectomy.
- Robotic hysterectomy.
Myomectomy (Fibroid Removal).
During a myomectomy, your GYN surgeon will remove one (or multiple) fibroids (leiomyoma).
Your GYN surgeon will perform this procedure by making an incision in the uterus’s skin, lining, or muscle. This is done to dissect the fibroid from its attachment within the uterine.
The uterus will be reconstructed from there to preserve its reproductive potential and general functionality.
Oophorectomy (Ovarian Removal).
Typically, one or both ovaries will be removed via laparoscopy during an oophorectomy.
A patient’s ovaries might need to be removed for several reasons, such as:
- Severe endometriosis causing persistent pain.
- Complex ovarian cysts.
- Malignancy prevention for women at increased risk of ovarian cancer.
- Concerns about existent malignancy.
Learn More By Visiting Our GYN Specialty Surgery Page.
There are two crucial aspects of women’s health and wellness:
- Proactivity in optimizing your well-being and preventing issues.
- Finding the best care provider to help you achieve your health-related goals.
Part of being proactive with your reproductive health is educating yourself on potential risks and measures you can take to prevent those risks.
You’ve begun–or are continuing–your learning process by reading this page. You can take it one step further by reading about the other specialty surgeries we perform at the Fibroid And Pelvic Wellness Center.
Or, contact us directly if you prefer your questions answered in a more personalized setting.