7 Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore Between Annual Well-Woman Exams

You already know that your annual well-woman exam is an important part of your healthcare, but your body doesn’t always wait for your yearly appointment to tell you something is wrong. 

Abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, and even non-stop hot flashes are too much to handle on your own while you wait for your next appointment. But how do you know what can wait and what shouldn’t? 

We’ve got you covered. Here are seven signs you shouldn’t ignore between those regular check-ups, courtesy of our team of expert providers at Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates in Marietta, Georgia.

 1. Heavy or unusual bleeding

It’s not uncommon to have a one-off cycle that’s a little different from your normal. For example, illness or temporary stress like moving, traveling, or planning a wedding can affect your period because stress can disrupt the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle.

However, consistently heavy periods, bleeding between periods, or bleeding after menopause always warrant a check-in with our team.

These symptoms can be linked to conditions such as:

• Fibroids
• Hormonal imbalances
• Polyps
• Endometriosis

Our team can determine the cause of your abnormal bleeding and recommend the right treatment.

2. Pelvic pain  

Persistent pelvic discomfort isn’t something you should simply “push through.” Pain, cramping, bloating, or even pressure may signal issues with your uterus, ovaries, bladder, or even your pelvic floor.

3. Pain during sex

Pain with intercourse (called dyspareunia) can have several causes, including vaginal dryness, infections, endometriosis, or pelvic floor dysfunction. 

It’s difficult to determine what’s causing the pain without an exam, so if intimacy has become uncomfortable or painful, it’s worth bringing up with us. 

4. Unusual vaginal discharge or odor

It may be tempting to self-treat symptoms like these. Still, the problem is that the fungal, bacterial, yeast infections, and sexually transmitted infections can all cause odor and discharge changes, but they’re treated very differently. 

5. Breast changes

While a breast exam is part of your annual exam, you should still conduct a self-exam each month. You should contact us if you notice:

• A new lump
• Skin dimpling
• Nipple discharge
• Changes in breast shape or texture
• Breast pain

Not every breast change is cancerous. For example, some breast pain can be related to periods,  hormonal fluctuations, or even early pregnancy, while other changes may need further testing to rule out more serious conditions. 

6. Fatigue that you just can’t shake

It’s normal to feel tired after a late night watching TV, but chronic fatigue is another issue altogether. 

Fatigue can have many causes, but if you constantly feel exhausted despite adequate rest, it may be linked to issues like:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Hormonal changes
• Thyroid conditions
• Anemia 

Anemia is often connected to fibroids. About 75% of women with submucousal fibroids and about 60% of women with intramural fibroids have anemia.

7. Urinary changes or leakage

Frequent urination, burning, urgency, or bladder leakage are nothing short of frustrating. These symptoms are common, but they’re not something you have to simply accept.

Our team can help you find relief by first pinpointing the cause of your symptoms. This could be anything from a urinary tract infection, pelvic floor dysfunction, or even menopause.

Bonus: any perimenopause symptoms

Perimenopause is the transition into menopause, and it can last anywhere from 4-8 years. While this is absolutely something to discuss during your annual exam, you don’t have to wait that long if your symptoms are impacting your quality of life.

We may recommend hormone replacement therapy to help alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, and mood swings.

What to expect during your visit

When you come in for a symptom-focused appointment, your visit is centered on the specific concern that brought you in. Your Marietta OB-GYN provider will ask about your symptoms, when they started, how often they happen, and whether anything makes them better or worse.

Depending on your symptoms, your visit may include a pelvic exam, breast exam, urine test, swab, bloodwork, ultrasound, or other testing. From there, our team can explain what may be causing your symptoms and recommend the next steps for treatment or follow-up care.

Don’t wait for your next annual exam

Too many women delay care because they assume their symptoms are “normal” or just aren’t serious enough to mention. You don’t have to wait a year to get relief, though! 

If something feels different, persistent, or concerning, schedule an appointment with your provider at Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates.

Or call 770-422-8505 to reach our Marietta, Georgia, office.