ABU DHABI // Experts have urged young women to have regular gynaecological screenings to prevent future problems.
Neglecting check-ups could lead to several types of cancer and possible infertility, said Dr Gowri Ramanathan, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children – due to open by the end of the year.
Dr Ramanathan said the number of young and unmarried women seeking routine gynaecology check-ups was on the rise.
Many women see a gynaecologist before they get married, while others decide to have follow-ups for specific symptoms, such as irregular menstrual cycles or polycystic ovary syndrome. “Women are seeking not only a general gynaecological review but are also wanting preventive measures for a potential pregnancy soon after marriage, such as advice on taking folic acid before conceiving; as well as counselling on hereditary or genetic disorders in a consanguineous marriage,” she said.
Many diseases affect women without any noticeable symptoms, said Dr Ramanathan, which is why preventive health measures are important.
“By having periodic check-ups, early signs of disease and dysfunction can be picked up. Furthermore, counselling on preconception issues could help to reduce the probability of potentially avoidable abnormalities,” she said.
Dr Fady Hachem, consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at Burjeel Hospital, said it was important for girls to start having check-ups on reaching puberty.
He said many women neglected to have screenings, thinking certain symptoms such as period cramps, severe abdominal pain or an increase in facial and body hair growth, were normal. Such symptoms could however be signs of tumours or polycystic ovaries.
“Polycystic ovaries are on the rise in the UAE, as well as diabetes, due to obesity. If they neglect to have it thoroughly checked, the disease will be more advanced and more aggressive,” he said.
“If you have a regular check-up, once or twice a year, we can find the little issues to fix them before their advancement.”
It was vital for women and their families to be aware of having regular screenings to prevent future issues, he said.
Irregular menstruation with severe abdominal pain and heavy bleeding were warning signs, said Dr Bashar Abdo, a specialist gynaecologist and obstetrician at Al Noor Hospital in Abu Dhabi.
He said such conditions should be checked upon as soon as possible to avoid medical complications. Adolescent girls should also have check-ups to ensure they have no abnormalities in their menstrual cycles.
Certain developmental abnormalities could indicate the presence of an issue.
“In special conditions, when a lady has abnormal development, like she has gained weight too much or has had no period, these cases could be treated easily if seen by a specialist. But if neglected, this could lead to serious problems,” he said.
“The main problem we face in Abu Dhabi is the increase in obesity in teenagers, which disturbs a woman’s life. She could develop high blood pressure, a delay in fertility and polycystic ovaries.”
Other issues, such as not developing breasts or a lack of growth in height between 9 and 14 could also indicate a problem.
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