Every woman, many times or at least once in their life, must have felt the painful menstrual cramps. Painful cramps or dysmenorrhea are highly common and are related to hormonal changes. The menstrual pain ranges from mild to manageable for some women, while for others, the pain will be severe and unbearable, which affects their regular activities.
During painful periods, many women have a lot of questions in their mind, like ‘Are painful periods truly a warning sign?’ or ‘Are there other serious conditions?’. To find answers to all your questions, keep reading this blog.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer grows in the cells of the cervix, the narrow, lowest part of the uterus. If left untreated, it starts as precancerous changes in the cells and grows into cancer gradually.
Some might say cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers that affects women globally, but it is also one of the preventable cancers if detected early. To prevent it, regular screening through HPV (Human Papillomavirus) and Pap smears is necessary.
What are the Signs That You Should Be Aware Of?
One of the common myths among women is that if their menstrual cycle is more painful than usual, it is usually due to cervical cancer. But no, heavy menstrual pain could be the result of endometriosis, fibroids, hormonal imbalances, and pelvic inflammation. But if you have any abnormal symptoms, do not overlook them.
The important signs of cervical cancer that no one should afford to ignore are:
- Abnormal Vaginal Discharge: Fluid from the vagina that may be thick, foul-smelling, bloody, and watery can be a key sign.
- Unusual Bleeding: This causes abnormal bleeding from the vagina after menopause, bleeding after having sex, and blood spots before periods.
- Pain During Sex: Consistent pain during sex is one of the important symptoms of serious issues.
- Pelvic Pain: This pain occurs in unexpected situations and could be persistent or intermittent, unlike menstrual pain. Remember that pelvic pain and cervical cancer are sometimes related, but pelvic pain is not a usual sign of cervical cancer.
- Heavier, Prolonged, or Irregular Menstruation: Always check with your gynecologist if you see variations in your period pattern.
Though painful periods are tormenting, they don’t mean that they are the primary sign of cervical cancer. If the pain is unbearable and you experience one of the above signs, then it is important to visit the best cancer hospital in Coimbatore to seek medical evaluation.
What Causes Cervical Cancer in Women?
One of the crucial reasons that causes cervical cancer in women is prolonged infections, including HPV (Human Papillomavirus), a sexually transmitted virus that affects both females and males. Mostly, women come in contact with the HPV in their lives, but the immune system in their bodies will naturally eradicate the virus.
When the strain of HPV remains in the cervix, it damages the cervical cells and causes unusual growth of cells, leading to cancer.
There are other factors that cause the growth of cervical cancer in women, rather than HPV. Here they are:
1) Multiple Partners: Having multiple sexual partners will increase the chances of attracting HPV.
2) Sex at a Young Age: Early sexual intercourse will likely increase the risk of exposure.
3) Smoking: Toxic properties from cigarettes can make the cervix prone to cervical cancer.
4) Weak Immune System: Those who are taking drugs for immunosuppression and have HIV are highly vulnerable.
5) Birth Control Pills: Taking contraceptive pills works for birth control. Using these pills for a prolonged period increases risks.
6) Genetic: If a family member or a close relative had cervical cancer previously, you should get checked at regular intervals.
Learning these factors will help you take precautionary measures, such as quitting smoking, regular screenings, getting the HPV vaccine, and practicing safe intercourse.
How to Treat Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer treatments differ for each woman according to their physical health, desire to preserve fertility, and the disease’s severity.
The available treatment options are:
- Radiation: High-powered radiation waves destroy cancer cells in the cervix. It is usually combined with chemotherapy for faster recovery.
- Surgery: If the cancer is detected at an early stage, doctors can take off the abnormal cancerous tissue from the cervix through surgery. If the cancer is found at an advanced stage, a hysterectomy might be performed, which is the complete removal of the uterus.
- Immunotherapy: This is a targeted therapy that strengthens the immune system to shield the cervix and fight against the cancerous tissues effectively. Immunotherapy is utilized in cervical cancer’s advanced stage.
- Chemotherapy: Drugs are dispensed through the veins or orally to prevent the cancer cells from developing and also to eradicate them from the cervix.
Finding cervical cancer sooner will make the treatment easier and also increase the rate of survival. This also helps preserve the reproductive ability in women.
Conclusion
Period pain can be unbearable, but not always a sign of cervical cancer. If you have abnormal bleeding, pain during intercourse, pelvic pain, or foul discharge, you should get checked immediately.
Your body will notify you if something is wrong. Pain during the menstrual cycle is not a certain sign of cervical cancer. Always listen to the symptoms your body shows you and get medical advice on time from the Cervical Cancer specialist in Coimbatore to preserve your fertility.
