Signs You Need to Visit Your OBGYN

If the only time you visit your OBGYN is to get a pap smear, there may be other issues 
that you are completely missing. Your doctor is there to help with many different issues 
you might be facing in terms of your menstrual cycle, hormone levels, vaginal health, 
and so much more. Here are some signs that you should schedule a visit to your 
OBGYN right away.


You Might Be Pregnant

The first and probably most obvious reason to visit your OBGYN is if you think you 
might be pregnant. Even if it has not been confirmed yet, having pregnancy symptoms 
or a possible positive sign on a home pregnancy test are good reasons to call up your 
doctor. It is important to see your doctor early on in your pregnancy to get tips for having 
a healthy pregnancy and get important bloodwork and other tests to look for any 
problems early on that can be treated.


You Have Signs of an Infection

Do you think you might have an infection of your private areas? This could be anything 
from itching and burning of your vulva, to a weird smell or discharge. Infections of the 
vulva and vagina are often minor and can be treated at home, but sometimes you do 
need a round of antibiotics. Since infections can become worse in certain situations, it is 
not something you should just leave alone and hope for the best. If you notice any of the 
following signs, you might be dealing with an infection:

Excessive itching or burning
Bad odor or change in odor
Discharge that is a different color or consistency
Pain during intercourse or urination
Bleeding or spotting, unrelated to other conditions


You Have Abdominal or Pelvic Pain

If you suddenly get pelvic or abdominal pain, or pain during sex, when you definitely did 
not have it before, that is a good reason to call up your OBGYN. This can be from a 
variety of things, including fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis or PCOS, or even an 
ectopic pregnancy. This is not something you want to just ignore and hope it goes away.


You Are Bleeding Between Periods

Spotting or bleeding between periods can happen for a number of different reasons, but 
even if it is common, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk to your doctor about it. A 
small number of women have slight spotting around the time of ovulation, which occurs 
about 2 weeks before your period. However,  if you notice spotting or bleeding more 
often than just right in the middle of your cycle, it might be from fibroids, cysts, 
miscarriage, or other conditions. 
