You can schedule an online consultation with Dr. Camelia Mihalca by accessing this link: Consult Dr. Camelia Mihalca
The lack of sexual education that began in adolescence and the ignoring of preventive behavior related to reproductive system diseases have important consequences, which are increasingly visible. Dr. Camelia Mihalca, primary care physician and gynecologist, one of the specialists who offers online consultations on the Digital Clinics platform, explained to us that one of the consequences is the increase in the number of cases of cervical dysplasia in younger and younger patients. Here is what the doctor says about the prevention and treatment of gynecological diseases in Romania, one of the countries with a high incidence of cervical cancer, but also with far too many minor mothers.
The most common gynecological diseases are infectious: lower genital infections, vaginitis or upper-pelvic inflammatory diseases. There are also many patients who present with ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, cervical dysplasia, unfortunately at younger and younger ages. This is worrying, as it is known that cervical dysplasia can be a precursor to cervical cancer.
A percentage of 97-98% of cervical cancers is caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (n.r. the virus is known as HPV, an abbreviation of its English name - Human Papilloma Virus), more precisely 16 and 18 are considered highly oncogenic. Babe?-Papanicolau cytology and HPV genotyping (accurate determination of the strain) in selected cases can prevent cervical cancer. Going earlier with prevention, HPV vaccination has an extremely important role, especially since we have the example of the Nordic countries, which have eradicated cervical cancer with the help of the vaccine.
I recommend a routine gynecological consultation, with a Pap smear once a year, or whenever there is a change related to the menstrual cycle - quantity, cyclicity, discomfort, pain, bleeding between periods, leucorrhea - altered vaginal discharge, urination disorders or any symptom that draws attention to the fact that something is wrong with the genital or genitourinary system. By performing a routine gynecological check-up, both the evolution towards malignancy and a series of surgical interventions can be avoided. Certain conditions can be treated with medication at the beginning, as well as complications such as anemia, infertility or sterility.
Theoretically, the first gynecological check-up should be performed at the beginning of sexual life, but also before, whenever menstrual cycle disorders, pain or other type of discomfort related to menstruation appear.
Teenagers need to be informed about the functioning of the genital system, contraception and pregnancy. Normally, they should have mandatory education classes: if we don't like to call it sexual, we could call it "education for life". I was called to a few classes by the director to talk about aspects related to puberty, pregnancy, and the physiology of the genital system. Even though you can search for anything on the Internet these days, the children were very interested in the topics and asked me a lot of questions. It is extremely important for them to know certain things and these find out from knowledgeable people, namely doctors.
I find telemedicine useful in interpreting tests and in being able to answer a series of questions, but without replacing the actual gynecological consultation. From my point of view, it finds its usefulness in complementing it. There are situations that can be successfully resolved this way.
You can schedule an online consultation with Dr. Camelia Mihalca by accessing this link: Consult Dr. Camelia Mihalca
