Vaginal discharge - the first signal of problem

Vaginal discharge is the easiest marker of how the reproductive system is functioning.

Most of the time, vaginal discharge is perfectly normal. 
The amount, odor and color vary according to the time in your menstrual cycle.
Most women have a fair idea about their discharge.

However, if the color, smell, or consistency seems significantly unusual, especially if it accompanied by vaginal itching or burning, you could be noticing an infection. Get a check immediately.

Normal causes of abnormal discharge?
1. Antibiotic or steroid use
2. Bacterial infection of the vaginal - common who have multiple sexual partners
3. Birth control pills
4. Cervical cancer
5. Chlamydia or gonorrhea (STDs), sexually transmitted infections
6. Diabetes
7. Douches, scented soaps or lotions, bubble bath react with the vaginal skin.
8. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
9. Trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection typically contracted and caused by having unprotected sex.
10. Vaginal atrophy, the thinning and drying out of the vaginal walls during menopause
11. Yeast infections


Some of the most common discharge types I treat in my clinical practice -
1. Bloody or brown discharge - common with Irregular menstrual cycles, or in cases of cervial/endometrial cancer.
2. Cloudy or yellow discharge with pain while urinating - Sexually transmitted disease like Gonorrhea.
3. Frothy, yellow or greenish with a bad smell - Trichomoniasis infection due to unprotected and unhygienic sex.
4. Thick, white, cheesy with painful sexual intercourse - Yeast infection
5. White, gray, or yellow with fishy odor - Bacterial vaginosis

How is abnormal discharge treated?
1. consult your gynecologist
2. Antibiotics pills, creams and suppositories are given depending on the type of infection.
3. Keep the vagina clean by washing regularly with a gentle, mild soap and warm water.
4. Avoid scented soaps and feminine products or douche.
Also avoid feminine sprays and bubble baths.
5. After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing an infection.
6. Wear 100% cotton underpants, and avoid overly tight clothing.

- Dr.Mayuri Assudani
(Gynaecologsit and Infertility Consultant)

Menstruation Related Headaches

One of the most common complaints which woman have is headaches just a few days before start of their menstrual cycle.
You'll be surprised by 25% of all women.. and 50% of all headaches women have are related to their hormonal problems.

The most common symptoms -
A few days to a week before start of period -
1. feel sensitive and irritation
2. feel numbness or tingling
3. see lights (only 20% of cases)
4. intense pain that starts on one side of your head.
5. Nausea or vomitting
6. feeling of dizziness.

7. Light, movement or even small sounds make the pain worse.

Reason -
Drop in the estrogen levels.This affects the brain’s sensitivity and chemical balance.

Treatment -
1. Apply ice
2. Relaxation exercises
3. Over the counter medicines like ibuprofen two or three times a day.
Start these five to seven days before you expect your period.
4. consult your gynecologist if the problem is persistent for more than 3 cycles.
5. contraceptive pills under gynecologist assistance helps for a few days.
6. Pain killers
7. Anti-depressants like tricyclic or SSRI or beta-blockers are considered in severe cases.

- Dr.Mayuri Assudani
(Gynaecologsit and Infertility Consultant)

Overcome Infertility --Cervical Causes of Infertility

Infertility is defined as inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse.
It effects over 50 millions couples world wide.

Because of unawareness of treatments, only 10% seeks help from professional specialist.
In this article, I will discuss the cervical causes of infertility.

What is cervix?
Cervix is lower part of the uterus.

Cervical causes of infertility?
1. Cervical damage -
Most common reason is complication due to medical abortions through surgery.
woman today are getting abortions done at very young age.
The procedure usually involved in abortion includes inserting a small suction instrument through the cervix.
Several abortions leads to damage of the cervix.
such a cervix may not open for sperm introduction leading to infertility and miscarriage.

2. Cervical stenosis
Cervical stenosis is defined as a blockage or narrowing of the cervical canal, it is caused by-
a. birth defect
b. surgery complication - like in case of abortion.

3. Cervicitis
inflammation of the cervix -
a. sexually transmitted diseases
b. forceful sex
c. bacterial/viral/fungal infections

4. Hormone problem
Lack of enough estrogen - decreases functioning of cervix.

Why get treatment?
Danger - long term cervical problem can lead to cervical cancer which can be deadly.

Treatment -
a. prevention of the same by - safe sex and genital hygiene
b. avoid multiple sexual partners.
c. getting gynaecological treatment for any form of discharge you might be suffering.
d. Regular Sonography and blood tests
e. gynaecological check up for any pain during sex or recurrent lower abdominal pain.

- Dr.Mayuri Assudani
(Gynaecologsit and Infertility Consultant)

Worry = infertility

Too much stress and worry may lower the chances of getting pregnant and cause infertility

A new study by researchers of the Ohio University, USA has found that stressed women are nearly 30 percent less likely to get pregnant and twice more likely to be diagnosed as 'infertile'.
Stress was measured by measuring a specific bio-marker.

Researchers tracked 501 American women ages 18 to 40 years who were free from known fertility problems and were trying to conceive.

American experts said results of this research should encourage women who are experiencing difficulty getting pregnant to consider managing their stress using stress reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation and visiting a psychiatrist.

MY INPUTS - THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT STUDY IN CONTEXT WITH INDIAN SOCIETY.
I CAN SPEAK ABOUT CITIES LIKE NAGPUR AND MUMBAI WHERE I AM PRACTISING AS A GYNECOLOGIST.
A great majority of woman who come with infertility problem talk about a great amount of emotional distress they have.
In many cases eliminating this distress has helped them conceive within weeks.
The most common stressful situations which my infertility patients talk to me, include -
1. Not marrying a person of your choice.
2. Not getting along with in-laws. (specially mother-in-law)
3. Feeling of loneliness, as husband loves but doesn't express it.
4. Financially unsatisfied
5. Problems with husband or cheating husband
6. lack of sex due to incompatibility in bed.

- Dr.Mayuri Assudani
(Gynaecologsit and Infertility Consultant)

masturbation addiction

As a gynecologist one of the common complains many woman have is that their husbands are addicted to masturbation.
Because of this many men prefer to watch Pornography and masturbate.
This eventually decreases their sexual life, creating stress and guilt in the wife.

Though its not a direct cause of infertility, such addiction is known to decrease sexual intercourse and chances of missing the right time to conceive.

Such a problem is a mental health issue that needs help from both gynecologist and psychiatrist.

Dr.Mayuri Assudani
( Gynecologist and infertility consultant )

Life beyond Makeup

Nagpur is a wonderful city much quieter and greener than Mumbai.
Its also one with a relatively more peaceful life-style.

On a recent visit to Mumbai, I got the chance of meeting many people from the film industry and people working for them.

This segment of the "media" is one which lives a double life.. were reality is covered up by "heavy makeup".

Everyday I meet more and more patients in Nagpur, who are deeply influenced by these "fake onscreen lives" and land up creating health problems for themselves.

With Teenage pregnancies and teenage abortions showing an alarming rise, one of the major factors to be blamed is the open glorification of sex without any sex education.

Indian parents still find it very difficult to talk to their children about sex. They are very shy and scared to talk on that topic. But are the first to throw tantrums, anger fits and panic attacks when their young daughter gets pregnant or their son impregnates a girl from other caste/creed.

Because of this lack of sex education and extreme fear... most sexually active teenagers end up using medications or methods of contraception in a wrong way, leading to future infertility.

common teenage mistakes leading to infertility -
a. multiple abortions by quacks or unqualified doctors, destroy the uterus.
b. taking too many i-pills destroys the hormonal system
c. multiple sex partners increases the chances of sexually transmitted diseases, which cause infertility in both males/females.

The youth needs to understand the concept of responsibility.
Responsibility of self,
responsibility of body,
responsibility of mind.

Real life is not a movie. You are not a heroine or a hero.
Real life is battling and creating opportunities out of adversities.

Its time to see the truth of life.. Beyond the Make-up!!

- Dr.Mayuri Assudani
(Gynaecologsit and Infertility Consultant)

Not able to Loose weight - find what you are doing wrong??

In my Gynaecological practice I have seen hundreds of cases of irregular menstrual cycles, too mood swings, to inability to live a proper family life due to Obesity.
While you might love eating, don't forget over-weight body is one of the prime causes for infertility and gynaecological problems.

Every 3rd girl I meet seems to be dieting, but not able to loose weight.

Here are 10 wrong things most girls and women do, because of which their dieting and exercise is of no effect and they aren't able to loose weight -

1. Skipping Breakfast
The greatest myth of all is that one will loose weight by skipping breakfast.

One of the worst things you can do to your metabolism is to skip breakfast.
By skipping breakfast, you are telling your body to store everything you eat into fat.

And by the way, don't fool yourself - a cup of coffee/tea with a buiscuit or two doesn't count as breakfast.

Have proper breakfast.

2. Not Eating Enough - Starvation
The other greatest myth is to starve yourself. After all simple mathematics says - eat less, loose more weight

WRONG!!! IDIOTIC!!!
The less you eat, the more you are commanding your body to convert all food into fat.

Eat small meals - eat at least 1,200 calories a day if you are a woman and 1,800 if you are a man.

3. Drinking Coka-cola/Pepsi or Diet coke/pepsi
1 can or bottle of Aerated drinks has enough sugar to make you sick/vomit.
All that goes into the body and is stored as fat.

Diet Coke/Pepsi is worse, they have chemicals that cause hormonal imbalance.

If you want to loose weight, completely discard aerated drinks from your diet.

4. Sitting Still
Sitting seems the favourite pass time of the entire nation.
Don't be shocked but sitting in front of the TV watching your favorite serial causes obesity.
20min into sitting your body metabolism slows down and burning of fat is decreased.

stretch those legs, get up, fetch yourself a glass of water.. Stop demanding your servants/relatives to serve you everything on the sofa.

5.Not Eating on Schedule
If you eat at different times each day, your body will not know which is the best time to burn fat.
Have a proper schedule.

6. Not Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep leads to -
a. decreased body metabolism leading to decreased fat burning
b. increased hunger and craving for fat/fried/carbohydrate rich food

get control on your sleep.
IF you are having trouble sleeping, consult your gynecologist or psychiatrist.
Stress or hormonal imbalance can destroy your sleep.

7. Sugar rush
Many of my patients have this habbit of eating sugar filled foods when they get hunger pangs.
That chocolate, sweets, nutribar, is destroying your body.

Blood Sugar level spikes cause your system to work in irregular ways. actually burning less fat.

8. Not Enough Protein
You're probably wondering which is the best food to have to boost weight loss - the answer is protein and lots of it! You should make sure there is a good protein source in every meal. E
ating protein in a meal boosts post meal calorie burn by up to 35%! Good protein choices are fish, chicken, egg, milk and nuts.

9. Dehydration
Up to 60% of our bodies are made of water, so it should be no surprise that water is important for burning fat.

I meet Many young girls who don't drink water with the fear of getting fat. Well dumb girls - dehydration causes the body to burn fewer calories.
Drink at least 2-3L of plain water.


10 Low Iron and Calcium levels.

Iron is needed to help your blood carry oxygen and therefore essential for fat burning.
If you are low in iron your fat burning will suffer.
Girls and women of all age don't get this simple logic.

Everyday when I see the blood reports of patients... single figures of Hb like 7,8,9 or 10 are alarming.

Iron is not the only big problem, its sad to see girls deficient on Calcium.

I once carried a random check up of calcium levels for 50 patients and found 40 of them to have less then normal.

How can you expect to loose weight when you body is deficient in nutrients.

BEING FAT DOESN'T MEAN YOUR BODY HAS ALL THE NUTRIENTS.. IT MEANS YOUR BODY IS LOADED WITH FAT.. AND ACTUALLY DEFICIENT IN NUTRIENTS

- Dr.Mayuri Assudani
(Gynaecologsit and Infertility Consultant)

Male Causes of Infertility

Woman have always been blamed for infertility.
But Do you know that even men are responsible for the same.

As per some medical studies upto 40% cases of infertility are due to Male problems.

The most common causes of Male infertility are -

1. Erectile Dysfunction - inability to have a proper erection.
90% are due to untreated psychological problems for which males will never seek help of a professional psychiatrist.

2. Lack of Sex education - Performance anxiety, fear of sex, homosexuality are some of the topics which are never discussed with a male before marriage.
These account for a major reason where males are scared of performing sex.

3. Problems with the sexual organs - diabetes, hypertension, obesity, varicocele, spinal cord problems, old hurt to the genitals are all responsible for poor performing sexual organs.

4. Sperm quality and quantity -
a. Low sperm count. - man might produce enough semen, but semen might not have enough sperms.

medications, illicit drug use, alcohol use, excessive caffeine intake, smoking and testicular injury all contribute to a low sperm count.

b. Low sperm motility. - If a man’s sperm don’t move forward at a reasonable rate, you’re going to have a hard time conceiving.

c. Abnormal sperm. - When a man’s sperm aren’t developing correctly and have an abnormal shape, it will affect his fertility.

- Dr.Mayuri Assudani
(Gynaecologist and infertility consultant)

CONTROL obesity

Obesity not only spoils your looks and but also your body.

Obesity is one of the main causes for -
1. hormonal disbalance
2. diabetes
3. infertility

Sonam Kapoor could make a change through proper diet and workout... Don't be lazy... Start today!!!

Dr.Mayuri Assudani
(Gynaecologsit and Infertility Consultant)

control cancer

Cancer is fast becoming one of the chief causes of infertility.
Its being detected in younger and younger patients.

Its important to take care of yourself.

- control on addiction
- control on sexual behaviour
- get regular gynecological check-ups

Dr.Mayuri Assudani
(Gynaecologsit and Infertility Consultant)

Early marriages - Destroying the future

One of the worst actions in the out-dated Indian social laws is that of "early marriages".

Most parents don't realize that getting a girl married between 18-21 yrs is actually subjecting her to a lot of emotional, physical and sexual pain.

The most common reasons given for early marriages -
1. parents say a girl is meant to be a housewife so the earlier she takes up the role the better.
2. parents who are short of cash, get their girls married as soon as possible so that the "burden" is removed.
3. parents who are in high fear - they want their girl to marry someone from their community.. but when the fear of the girl being able to find herself a boy-friend strikes them, they think marriage is the best option.
4. some parents even give social laws as explanation to them committing this sin.

THERE ARE NO ADVANTAGES TO EARLY MARRIAGE.

DISADVANTAGES TO EARLY MARRIAGE -

1. early marriage leads to early pregnancy - within 1yr most woman get pregnant.
body of a woman is not mature at 18-21. She might be in child-bearing age but she isn't mature to have a child.

2. Mind of a woman is not mature to understand the pressures and commitments of marriage.

3. sexually not prepared - girls who have never been exposed to sex before marriage, might find it very frightening and fearful to have sex at young age.
Gynaecological studies have documented how for many young woman- Seeing a male penis for the first time and accepting it in their body as part of an ritual of enjoyment is very frightening.
it leads to severe sexual pain and psychological fear.

4. parenthood - early parents are not prepared for it. They themselves have no idea of life, bringing up a child normally is imperfect.
they land up making the child highly anxious, angry or restless, which eventually hampers his/her entire life.

5. Indians have the stupid notion to call someone "mature" when he/she is married and has sex.
Early marriages are known to lead to high amount of extra-marital affairs.
hence instead of maturity it leads to immaturity.

6. High infertility chances as early marriages lead to
- high use of contraceptives without proper knowledge
- fear of having a 2nd child, for taking care of the 1st child is difficult
- fear to sex
- genital infections

MARRIAGE IS GREAT.. BUT ONLY WHEN YOU ARE PREPARED FOR IT.. NOT WHEN YOU ARE JUST DOING IT FOR A LICENCE TO HAVE SEX.

GROW UP.!!


- Dr.Mayuri Assudani
(Gynaecologsit and Infertility Consultant)

IVF Myth - IVF leads to children with lower IQ or are abnormal

TRUTH - a couple was hesitant to undergo IVF because some old woman had told them that IVF would lead to lesser IQ children.
The truth -

1. old women who are not trained gynaecologists with Infertility expertise are just bluffing.
Just because they have seen many deliveries doesn't make them an expert on the same.
Their experience is pretty much ZERO!!!

2. IVF is a safe procedure which gives the sperm and ovum a "right environment" to meet and fertilize.
The fertilized ovum is implanted back into the uterus.
Hence its just like a normal pregnancy.

3. Test tube baby or IVF doesn't mean that the children are grown in a test tube.
They grow within the uterus as any other normal pregnancy.

4. IVF babies are very much normal and have normal IQs.

its the age of the internet.. Modernize yourself.. Don't live in stone age.

- Dr.Mayuri Assudani
(Gynaecologsit and Infertility Consultant)

Save the Girl Child - STOP BEING BLINDED BY PUJA's and PUNDITS

Recently was checking a AnteNatal Care high risk patient, when her mother-in-law became very restless. She said - 
"Madam, kya hum kaal ko aa sakte hai... aabhi pooja ka mahurat nikla ja raha hai??"

As the patient was an high-risk one, I decided to continue with my examination. 

The old lady again got restless. 

Nobody likes to be disturbed at work.. and imagine the irritation when someone is disturbing you, when 2 lives are at stake. 

I asked her - what was the pooja for?

The old lady got all lightened up and said - "pichli 2 baar se ladki hui hai... punditji ne kaha hai, devi maa ka vraat aur pooja karne se iss bar ladka hoga".

THATS THE SAD REALITY OF INDIA.

YOU CONSULT A FEMALE GYNAECOLOGIST TO HELP YOU DELIVER A HEALTHY CHILD

YOU PRAY TO A FEMALE GOD TO GIVE YOU A BOY CHILD

YOU BLAME A FEMALE FOR DELIVERING A BABY GIRL BUT PRAISE A MALE IF ITS A BABY BOY.

STOP BEING HYPOCRITES.
STOP LIVING BY RETARDED RULES.

ITS A SHAME GYNAECOLOGISTS LIKE MYSELF STILL HAVE TO ASK YOU TO SAVE THE GIRL CHILD.

STOP MAKING THE SOCIETY SHAMEFUL !!!

- Dr.Mayuri Assudani
(Gynaecologsit and Infertility Consultant)

Male is responsible for a girl child

She is "unlucky" if she doesn't give you a male child?

She is "unholy" if she doesn't give you a child?

She is "uncultured" if she doesn't obey all your orders?

STOP DISCRIMINATING AND ILL TREATING WOMEN.

A MALE CHILD DEPENDS ON THE MALE SPERM.

INFERTILITY IS TREATABLE DISEASE.

- Dr.Mayuri Assudani
( Gynecologist and infertility consultant )