Gynecologic Conditions
Candace Cooley has treated menstrual disorders and concerns about pelvic health, and the entries in this index cover the conditions behind many of those complaints. The starting point is often the period itself. Guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists counts a typical period as 2 to 7 days and treats bleeding as heavy when a pad or tampon has to be changed more often than every 1 to 2 hours or a period lasts beyond 7 days; among the causes of abnormal periods it lists polycystic ovary syndrome, bleeding disorders, thyroid and ovulation problems and growths such as polyps.1
Fibroids are among the most common of those growths. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development defines them as growths of smooth muscle cells and other material in or on the wall of the uterus, sorted by where they lie: submucosal fibroids under the lining, intramural fibroids within the muscle and subserosal fibroids on the outer surface.2 Adenomyosis is related but distinct. The NHS describes it as the lining of the womb growing into the muscle of its wall, more often diagnosed after the age of 30 and marked by painful, heavy periods, although some people have no symptoms at all.3
The seven entries are Heavy Menstrual Bleeding, Uterine Fibroids, Adenomyosis, Endometriosis and the Long Wait for Diagnosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Bacterial Vaginosis.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Heavy and Abnormal Periods
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, About Uterine Fibroids
- NHS, Adenomyosis
Entries in this subject
- Gynecologic Conditions
Adenomyosis
A reference guide to a long known condition of the uterine wall that still tends to be found late, often only after surgery.
- Gynecologic Conditions
Bacterial Vaginosis
A reference guide to a very common imbalance of vaginal bacteria, and to the partner trials that reopened an old question about recurrence.
- Gynecologic Conditions
Endometriosis and the Long Wait for Diagnosis
A reference guide to the gap between first symptoms and a confirmed answer, and to the reasons it has proved so stubborn.
- Gynecologic Conditions
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
A reference guide to periods heavy enough to drain iron stores and disrupt ordinary life, and to the range of care that answers them.
- Gynecologic Conditions
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
A hormonal condition whose old label pointed at ovarian cysts that research says are not there.
- Gynecologic Conditions
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
A cyclical mood condition set apart from ordinary premenstrual change by how severe it is and when it strikes.
- Gynecologic Conditions
Uterine Fibroids
Noncancerous muscle tumors of the womb, extremely common, whose position decides much of what they do.