Despite the availability of information about what gynecological diseases can be, how to prevent or treat them, many women still cannot find precise answers to their questions and often succumb to the influence of misconceptions.
Myths about women’s health were dispelled especially for Zdorovie Mail.ru by an obstetrician-gynecologist with 23 years of experience, a specialist at the National Medical Research Center “Treatment and Rehabilitation Center” of the Ministry of Health of Russia Elena Grishina.
Hormonal contraceptives do not cause cancer. On the contrary, women can take them to prevent ovarian and breast cancer.
Some medical sources say that oncological diseases that occur during hormone therapy are easier to treat. In this case, we are talking about diseases that are transmitted genetically, or about some sporadic cases.
Cancerous diseases most often do not appear in those who regularly take hormonal pills.
2. Is it possible to get pregnant during menstruation or lactation?
It is worth noting right away that it is not recommended to have sex during menstruation. Pregnancy cannot occur during this period. During lactation, a woman is not insured against an unplanned pregnancy, since the ovaries are working. Therefore, when a woman breastfeeds, she needs additional contraception, barrier or hormonal.
3. Is it necessary to cauterize cervical erosion?
If cervical erosion is not complicated by any viruses or bacteria, and the woman does not have recurring inflammatory diseases, then this disease is simply observed.
If a woman is bothered by various vaginitis, including candidal, against the background of cervical erosion, when they occur more often than once every three months, this is already an indication for treatment.
Cauterization is also possible here, which is not an outdated method. In addition, a patient with cervical erosion needs to be tested for the human papilloma virus.
If there are any manifestations of it, then additional diagnostics or treatment of the cervix is recommended.
4. Does a condom really protect against all sexually transmitted infections?
In general, yes, but you need to remember that the condom should not be damaged. However, there are diseases that can be transmitted not only during sexual intercourse.
For example, with syphilis there are lesions on the lips, in the throat, and the disease can be transmitted by kissing. Also, when kissing, you can get infected with herpes I and II types, papillomavirus infection. Therefore, you should not rely only on a condom.
5. Is it true that a woman cannot have surgery on her uterus or cervix before giving birth?
No, this is a myth. If there are indications for surgical intervention, then there is no need to be afraid of the operation.
There are diseases, such as polyps or external genital endometriosis, which are common causes of infertility. And if they are not operated on, pregnancy will not occur either. In these cases, the operation does not prevent pregnancy, but on the contrary, helps to get pregnant.
6. Is severe pain during menstruation normal?
Many young women suffer from painful menstruation. This pain should be relieved with analgesics. If their use does not help, it is advisable to consult a doctor to find out the main cause of painful menstruation.
This may be caused by external genital endometriosis, which can be cured with surgical treatment. To stop menstruation from being painful, we recommend that young girls take hormonal contraceptives.
7. Is it true that inflammation of the appendages can occur if you sit on something cold?
No, that’s not true. If you are very cold, inflammation of the appendages can occur, but only if there are infectious agents in the genital tract – viruses or bacteria.
If you simply sit on a cold surface for a long time or stand at a bus stop in cold weather, you don’t need to worry about your appendages.
8. Can pregnant women engage in physical activity or should all exercises be avoided?
Pregnant women should definitely engage in physical activity, unless there are contraindications. They need to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, lower back, which will improve overall well-being and subsequently help in childbirth. And after childbirth, physical activity will help a woman get back into shape faster.
Most often, we recommend swimming, yoga, stretching, and doing exercises on fitballs. However, you should avoid lifting weights and strength training.