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" Many women find it tempting to ignore seemingly minor sexual-health problems; after all, that itch down there or the ache you feel during intercourse is probably nothing, right? Most of the time, yes. But every once in a while, according to experts, these subtle woes can be red flags for more serious conditions. We&amp;#039;ve rounded up the most common, easily dismissed symptoms your ob/gyn should check out.  1. A persistent itch down there    Most common causes: A yeast infection. Your gyno can diagnose it by examining the discharge under a microscope (infections usually produce a cottage-cheese-like discharge) and cure it with a prescription oral antifungal drug or an over-the-counter vaginal cream. Infections such as bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis also cause itching; antibiotics can eliminate them.   Less likely culprit: Contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction to irritants such as chemicals, soaps or rough materials. Stop the itch by using gentle soaps, such as Dove; wash panties in additive-free soap, like Cheer-Free; and skip the fabric softener, which can be irritating.   Least common scenario: Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), a growth on the outer lips of the genitalia that may turn into vulvar cancer if untreated. This cancer is rare, but the American Cancer Society reports that 15 percent of new patients are under age 40, and these numbers are rising. Why? VIN can be caused by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) \u2014 the same virus that causes cervical cancer. With VIN, you may feel a persistent itch in one or more spots. The irritated area is slightly raised, feels rougher or thicker and is a different color from the rest of your vulva, says William Creasman, M.D., a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Your gyno can confirm it&amp;#039;s VIN by taking a biopsy of the lesion. Although not all cases of VIN develop into vulvar cancer, most gynos recommend removal of VIN via an outpatient procedure. VIN tends to grow slowly, so it&amp;#039;s usually caught early enough to be cured completely.   2. Sex hurts for two months or longerMost common cause: Vaginal dryness. It&amp;#039;s a frequent side effect of birth control pills, allergy medicines, and SSRI antidepressants, like Prozac; low lubrication is also a common problem if you&amp;#039;ve recently given birth or are breast-feeding (due to changing hormone levels). The quickest fix is to use water-based lubricants like K-Y or Astroglide. You can also ask your doctor about switching to medications that are less apt to trigger lubrication problems.Less likely culprit: An ovarian cyst, especially if your pain is on one side of your pelvis and most intense during thrusting. Your gyno can feel if your ovary is slightly enlarged by doing a pelvic exam; an in-office ultrasound can confirm it. Most cysts will disappear on their own in three or four menstrual cycles. If they don&amp;#039;t, your gyno may suggest that you take an oral contraceptive (which makes cysts shrink and disappear). In some cases, you may need a cystectomy (an outpatient procedure) to remove it.Least common scenario: Endometriosis, which occurs when some pieces of the lining of the uterus aren&amp;#039;t expelled through the vagina during menstruation each month; instead, they travel through the fallopian tubes to the ovaries or other pelvic organs, where they may implant and create scars. This causes infertility in 30 to 50 percent of sufferers by interfering with the release of the egg from the ovary or with its passage through the fallopian tube. Sex hurts because your reproductive organs become tender due to the implants or scarring. Your doctor can make a diagnosis using a pelvic exam and taking your medical history; you may also need a laparoscopy, which allows your gyno to identify endometriosis tissue through a scope inserted into your abdomen. Your doctor may recommend continuous use of oral contraceptives (you skip the placebo pills to prevent pain); likewise, taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (such as ibuprofen) an hour before sex can ease the ache. Endometrial implants or scar tissue can also be removed during a laparoscopy, which may also improve your conception odds. 3. A red streak, spot, or rash on your breastMost common causes: A bra irritation, an insect bite, or heat rash. If the rash or red spot clears up on its own in a day or two, you can forget about it.Less likely culprits: Eczema, especially if you have other rough, scaly, and/or red patches on your body, or contact dermatitis. A prescription steroid cream should clear up either problem. An infected hair follicle is another culprit; treat it by applying a warm washcloth for several minutes and an antibiotic, such as Neosporin, three times a day.Least common scenario: Breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), which accounts for about 5 percent of all cases, often surfaces as a red, swollen area on your breast. Paget&amp;#039;s disease, a slower-growing cancer that accounts for about 3 percent of cases, usually starts as a scaly rash on the nipple. Both are rare in women under 35, but most advanced cases occur in younger women because they and their doctors dismiss the warning signs or attribute them to benign conditions, says M. Patricia Braeuning, M.D., medical director of The Breast Center at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. If antibiotics or steroids don&amp;#039;t help after two weeks, consider having a biopsy \u2014 in which a small sample of breast tissue is removed for testing \u2014 right away, says Braeuning. The five-year survival rate for IBC is 56 percent, although, if a woman is diagnosed promptly, the odds of survival could be higher. When caught early, the cure rate for Paget&amp;#039;s disease is nearly 100 percent.   4. Bleeding after sexMost common cause: Vigorous thrusting during intercourse may cause occasional light spotting. Most likely, it&amp;#039;s nothing to worry about. If it continues or turns into heavy bleeding, see your doctor.Less likely culprit: Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection that even married people can have. It can be confirmed with a urine test or swab of your discharge, and is cleared up with antibiotics.Least common scenario: Cervical cancer. Women ages 39 and younger have about a one in 567 chance of getting it. While HPV is a major contributing factor in the development of cervical cancer, few women with HPV develop cancer. Never skip your annual Pap test, since it identifies precancerous changes on your cervix early on. If your Pap is abnormal, you may need further testing, including a colposcopy and biopsy. Discovered early, precancerous lesions are nearly 100 percent curable. 5. Spotting between periodsMost common causes: You may experience breakthrough bleeding if you don&amp;#039;t take your oral contraceptive at the same time every day and/or skip a day. An IUD can also cause mid-cycle spotting; your gyno can check that it&amp;#039;s staying in place.Less likely culprits: Uterine fibroids \u2014 noncancerous growths that cause bleeding in about 25 percent of women in their 30s and 40s. An ultrasound can detect them, and they can be removed surgically.Least common scenario: Endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus), which frequently causes irregular vaginal bleeding in premenopausal women. Most cases occur in women over 50 \u2014 so if you&amp;#039;re in your 20s or 30s your doctor may not check for it, says Linda R. Duska, M.D., an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Harvard Medical School. The good news? If endometrial cancer is caught early through a biopsy, the five-year survival rate is nearly 90 percent.   6. You feel abdominal discomfort \u2014 such as cramps, gas pain, or a feeling of fullness \u2014 almost dailyMost common cause: Lactose intolerance, which is an inability to digest lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. A breath or blood test can confirm the problem. Relieve the symptoms with Lactaid Ultra when eating foods such as cheese and ice cream \u2014 the pill breaks down milk sugar in your stomach.Less likely culprit: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a problem that affects one in five Americans over age 20. The hallmark of IBS is abdominal pain that is relieved after a bowel movement. Your doctor can diagnose IBS using your medical history; treatment may include drugs that control colon-muscle spasms to reduce the pain.Least common scenario: Ovarian cancer, which rarely strikes women under 40. Other symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal swelling, constipation, and a sudden, unexplained weight change. Fortunately, 90 percent of women do survive ovarian cancer when it&amp;#039;s caught in the beginning stages. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.redbookmag.com/body/health-fitness/advice/a26/sexual-health-symptoms-yl/>