Common Gynaecological Conditions Every Mama Should Know About When Trying For A Baby

Trying for a baby? Here’s a quick guide to common gynaecological conditions and what they mean for your pregnancy journey.

Between tracking ovulation, stocking up on prenatal vitamins and daydreaming about life with a little one, there are also plenty of considerations when you’re trying to conceive. While factors like age and lifestyle can play a part, your reproductive health is another important factor. Certain benign gynaecological conditions can sometimes affect fertility, pregnancy planning or the pregnancy journey itself. We break down four common benign gynaecological conditions and what they mean for your fertility and reproductive health, as well as where you can go to find the right medical support.

Common gynaecological conditions that may impact fertility

Before you start jumping into worst-case scenarios, these conditions are common, and with the right medical support, many women go on to conceive and have healthy pregnancies and births! The first is Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is actually one of the most common, affecting one in eight women. Women with this condition may experience irregular menstrual cycles, often very long cycles between periods, which in turn makes it a common cause of infertility, because you may ovulate less frequently.

Endometriosis is another common condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, such as on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or surrounding pelvic organs. When this happens, symptoms such as painful periods, pelvic discomfort and infertility can occur, resulting from damaged ovaries, blockages on the fallopian tubes, pelvic inflammation and more.

Some women also have ovarian cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs that develop on or within the ovaries. While some are relatively harmless and tend to go away on their own, ovarian cysts can sometimes persist or result in accidents that may require emergency surgery.

Uterine fibroids are also a type of non-cancerous growth that can develop on the uterine muscle wall, affecting 3 – 4 in 10 women of reproductive age. Symptoms and complications of fibroids depend on their size and type, in some cases causing heavy menstrual flow or discomfort, which may impact fertility.

When in doubt, speak to a specialist

Because symptoms can vary significantly from person to person, we recommend speaking to a specialist who can provide personalised care and help you navigate your gynaecological condition and fertility journey. Dr Angeline Chua, from The Prenatal Consultants, is an accredited Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology who provides evidence-based care for women across all stages of life. She offers comprehensive obstetric care, including antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal management for both low- and high-risk pregnancies, alongside the diagnosis and management of routine and complex gynaecological conditions.

As a mother of two young boys herself, Dr Angeline understands many of the questions and challenges women face throughout pregnancy and early motherhood. In fact, she often draws on her own experiences as she guides families through their individual journeys.

Beyond pregnancy, Dr Angeline provides excellent postpartum care with routine screening and ongoing gynaecological care, building a long-term relationship with her patients. Book a consultation with Dr Angeline Chua today for personalised obstetric and gynaecological care!

The Prenatal Consultants, Royal Square Medical Centre @ Novena, 101 Irrawaddy Road #15-04/05/06, Singapore 329565, Tel: (+65) 6694 4035, www.theprenatalconsultants.com.sg