If you are suffering from painful intercourse, you are not alone. This common complaint affects many women at some point in their lives, but help is available. Talk to your gynecologist if intercourse is painful for you to get the help you need.

Your gynecologist will ask you questions about your symptoms and when during intercourse you feel pain to narrow down the potential causes. A wide range of conditions can cause intercourse to be painful, including vaginal infections, insufficient lubrication, injuries, and STDs. Your gynecologist may recommend STD testing and treatment, treatment for vaginal infections, hormonal therapies, and a number of other solutions to make intercourse more comfortable. Emotional factors can also contribute to painful intercourse, and these can be managed with therapy and medications.

Visit a gynecologist at Washington Surgi-Clinic if painful intercourse is affecting your relationships. Find out more about our women’s health services, including STD testing in Washington, D.C. , by calling (202) 659-9403.

Cramps are common before and during menstruation for many women, and in most cases, they don’t indicate a health problem. However, severe cramps that interfere with daily activities should be evaluated by a gynecologist to ensure that an underlying issue isn’t contributing to the symptoms.

Watch this video to learn more about menstrual cramps. They are caused by uterine contractions that occur during menstruation and can be made worse by STDs, endometriosis, and a number of other conditions. Your gynecologist may recommend STD testing among other diagnostic procedures to determine the cause of severe cramps.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic , we provide gynecology services in Washington, D.C., ranging from Pap smears to first and second trimester abortions. Make an appointment today by calling (202) 659-9403.

An unexpected pregnancy can be overwhelming to face, and talking about it with your partner can be stressful. Although you are not obligated to discuss your unexpected pregnancy with your partner, if you choose to do so, he can help you navigate the process of making decisions about things like pregnancy termination and prenatal care. If you plan to discuss your unplanned pregnancy with your partner, these tips will help.

See Your Gynecologist First

Over-the-counter pregnancy tests are very reliable, but they are not foolproof. Before you discuss the pregnancy with your partner, see your gynecologist to confirm it. Your doctor can also give you information that can be helpful when you’re talking to your partner, including how far along you are and what your options are for pregnancy termination. Your gynecologist can also discuss prenatal care with you and tell you what you can expect during your pregnancy, so you can share this information with your partner.

Choose the Right Time

Pick a time to talk to your partner in which you can both talk openly and honestly without any time constraints or other pressures. Avoid bringing it up at the end of a stressful day, right before work, or in a place where you are likely to get interrupted. This will allow you both to say what you need to say thoughtfully and without distractions. Because the news may be surprising, this also allows your partner to process the information without feeling rushed.

Know Your Boundaries

Know which options are on the table for you and which are not. If you are unwilling to continue with the pregnancy, be ready to explain the termination process. If you are unwilling to consider a termination, be ready to explain how you plan to move forward with the pregnancy. Keep in mind that your partner may need some time to consider the implications of your pregnancy, so be ready to have more than one conversation.

Washington Surgi-Clinic offers comprehensive women’s health services , including morning-after pills and pregnancy termination in Washington, D.C., with complete patient confidentiality. Call (202) 659-9403 to make an appointment with a gynecologist.

There is a birth control option that will work for everyone, but that doesn’t mean every kind of birth control is right for every person. Are you and your current birth control a bad match? Here are some of the signs that you should talk to your gynecologist about different birth control methods to see if one is better suited to your needs.

You can’t remember to take it.

If you take a birth control pill, how diligent you are about taking it determines how well it protects you from pregnancy. If you routinely forget to take your pill, then you either need to use a backup method or you risk an unwanted pregnancy. Even forgetting one pill can put you at high risk of an unplanned pregnancy, so talk to your gynecologist about birth control methods you don’t have to take daily, such as an IUD, patch, or ring.

You have lost your sex drive.

Birth control pills prevent ovulation, and in doing so, they prevent your ovaries from releasing the same amount of testosterone that they normally do. For some women, that means a dramatic reduction in libido that can be distressing and put pressure on personal relationships. If this happens to you, your gynecologist may recommend another birth control method, such as a non-hormonal copper IUD or birth control pills with higher levels of progesterone, which can have a similar effect to testosterone.

You have breakthrough bleeding.

Breakthrough bleeding is a common side effect of birth control pills, but it usually stops when your body adjusts to the hormones. However, for some women, it persists indefinitely and can become problematic. Your gynecologist may recommend switching to a pill with a higher dose of hormones. If you are experiencing chronic breakthrough bleeding on a longer cycle pill on which are you only supposed to have a few periods per year, your doctor may recommend switching to a shorter cycle option.

If your birth control is causing uncomfortable symptoms, see a gynecologist in Washington, D.C., at Washington Surgi-Clinic to explore your options. We also provide confidential STD testing, pregnancy termination , and other women’s health services. Dial (202) 659-9403 for an appointment.