Vinmec Obstetrician and Gynecologist answers about gynecological diseases

On March 29, Vinmec Saigon International Clinic held a women's health day with the theme: "Notable signs and importance of gynecological cancer screening". Dr. BS Nguyen Thi Tu Van - one of the leading experts in obstetrics and gynecology in Ho Chi Minh City - answered many of women's concerns about gynecological diseases and gynecological cancer prevention. "Vaginitis caused by fungi is the most common gynecological disease, but it is not the cause of cervical cancer," said Dr. Nguyen Thi Tu Van - Vinmec Saigon International PK.
Women aged 45 - 50 who have gone through menopause, when having sex, need to use lubricating gels. So do these gels affect gynecological problems and potentially lead to cervical cancer (CTC) or not? On the market today, there are a number of lubricating gels that have been licensed for circulation by the Ministry of Health. Products derived from water, from silicone (refer to online with keyword: vaginal lubricating gel) only have a lubricating effect, with a slightly acidic pH suitable for the vagina, no added chemicals. other substances such as estrogen hormone ... should not cause disease. If stored and used correctly, these gels do not cause infection, do not cause disease. But you should note, it is not a germicide, so it cannot be used to treat or prevent disease. Cervical cancer is a disease related to infection with HPV virus - a sexually transmitted disease. Therefore, if a woman has unprotected sex, she is at risk of contracting this virus, thereby increasing the risk of cervical cancer. In women over the age of 40 who have not had sex, are they likely to have cervical cancer? And how to detect gynecological cancers? When a woman has new sex there is an increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, HPV infection, and an increased risk of cervical cancer. But if the body is healthy and the cervix is ​​not damaged, it is difficult for this virus to penetrate into cervical cells, not causing cell reproduction disorders to become cancerous. Therefore, it is very rare for women who have never had sex to have cervical cancer related to HPV, which accounts for the majority of common cervical cancers. As for endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, they can still have it. They even have a higher risk of endometrial cancer than women who have given birth. In order to detect gynecological cancer early, it is advisable to have regular check-ups, go to a specialist when there are abnormal symptoms: Vaginal discharge, especially when mixed with blood, irregular menstruation, bleeding, persistent lower abdominal pain, big belly... I had a procedure to remove my ovaries. So am I likely to have gynecological cancers again? Gynecological cancers include uterine, ovarian, and breast cancers. Therefore, if the ovaries are removed, only ovarian cancer will not occur, but other types can still be. I am 52 years old, urinary retention and vaginal itching. Am I likely to have a UTI? Vaginal itching, more precisely vulvar itching, is usually caused by vaginitis caused by the fungus candida albican. This fungus is a yeast microorganism that can normally be found in very small numbers in the vaginal flora and does not cause disease. When there are favorable conditions, the yeast grows into mycelium, then it causes inflammation and causes symptoms. When there is inflammation, the vagina increases discharge. Pathological discharge carrying a lot of yeast and mycelia drains into the vulva and causes the vulva to become inflamed and itchy. This discharge spreads through the adjacent urinary opening, so it can also cause urethritis, making it difficult to urinate, painful to urinate, frequent urination, sometimes blood in urine. Vaginitis is the most common gynecological disease, but it is not the cause of cervical cancer. You are 52 years old, if you have recurrent fungal vaginitis, accompanied by pathology in the urinary tract, you should first be alert to diabetes (diabetes). If you are overweight, obese or have a family member with diabetes, your risk increases. The question you ask is whether there is a possibility of having a UTI, but it must also be considered in the second aspect: Late stage cervical cancer often invades the bladder (bladder), urethra, causing urinary retention symptoms. However, if we have regular annual check-ups and proper screening for cervical cancer, it is very rare for UT to be detected so late.