Written by: Chinonso Ahanonu

Are You Ignoring These Red Flags About Your Reproductive Health?

Our reproductive health is a vital part of our overall well-being, yet sometimes we might brush aside subtle changes or discomforts as “just one of those things.” However, paying attention to potential red flags can empower us to seek timely medical advice and maintain our health. Ignoring these signals could delay diagnosis and treatment for conditions that can impact our long-term reproductive health and overall quality of life. Let’s explore some important signs that warrant attention.

Changes in Your Menstrual Cycle

For individuals who menstruate, the menstrual cycle can be a reliable indicator of reproductive health. Significant changes from your usual pattern should not be ignored. These include:

Irregular Periods: While occasional variations can occur, consistently unpredictable cycles, very short or long cycles, or skipped periods (when not pregnant) can signal hormonal imbalances or underlying conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid issues.¹
Heavy or Prolonged Bleeding: Soaking through more pads or tampons than usual, needing to change them very frequently, or bleeding for longer than seven days could indicate fibroids, polyps, hormonal imbalances, or in rare cases, bleeding disorders.²
Bleeding Between Periods or After Intercourse: Spotting or bleeding at unexpected times, such as between menstrual periods or after sexual activity, can be a sign of infection, cervical or uterine polyps, or, less commonly, precancerous or cancerous changes.³
Severe Pain During Periods: While some cramping is normal, debilitating pain that interferes with daily activities (dysmenorrhea) could be a symptom of endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis⁴, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).⁴

Unusual Discharge or Odor

Changes in vaginal discharge, such as color, consistency, amount, or odor, can indicate an infection.

Unusual Discharge: Discharge that is thick, white and cottage cheese-like (often with itching) may suggest a yeast infection. Greenish, yellowish, or grayish discharge with a foul odor could indicate a bacterial infection like bacterial vaginosis or a sexually transmitted infection (STI).⁵
Foul Odor: A strong, unpleasant vaginal odor, especially when accompanied by other symptoms like unusual discharge or itching, is often a sign of an infection that requires medical attention.⁵

Pelvic Pain or Pressure

Persistent or unexplained pain or pressure in the pelvic area is another red flag that should not be dismissed.

Chronic Pelvic Pain: Pain lasting for six months or longer can have various causes, including endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, or pelvic inflammatory disease.⁶
Sudden, Severe Pelvic Pain: This could indicate a serious issue like a ruptured ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy, or appendicitis and requires immediate medical attention.⁷
Pain During Intercourse (Dyspareunia): Pain experienced during or after sexual activity can be a symptom of various conditions, including endometriosis, infections, fibroids, or vaginal dryness.⁸

Other Important Signs

Beyond these common red flags, other symptoms related to reproductive health deserve attention:

Unexplained Weight Loss or Gain: Significant and unintentional changes in weight can sometimes be linked to hormonal imbalances or underlying medical conditions affecting the reproductive system.
Pain or Lumps in the Breasts: While many breast changes are benign, any new lumps, pain, nipple discharge (especially if bloody), or skin changes should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out breast cancer or other issues.⁹
Difficulty Getting Pregnant (Infertility): For couples trying to conceive, the inability to do so after a certain period (typically one year of unprotected intercourse for those under 35, or six months for those 35 and older) warrants a fertility evaluation for both partners.¹⁰
Testicular Pain or Swelling (for individuals with testes): Pain, lumps, or swelling in the testicles should be promptly evaluated as they could indicate infection, torsion, or, in rare cases, testicular cancer.¹¹

It’s crucial to remember that experiencing one or more of these red flags doesn’t automatically mean you have a serious condition. However, these signs are your body’s way of communicating that something might be amiss. Open and honest communication with your healthcare provider is key. Don’t hesitate to discuss any concerns you have about your reproductive health. Early detection and intervention can significantly improve outcomes and help you maintain your well-being.

References

Practice Committee of American Society for Reproductive Medicine (2008). Current evaluation of amenorrhea. Fertility and sterility, 90(5 Suppl), S219–S225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.08.038
Bradley, L. D., Gueye, N. A., Falcone, T., & Menopause Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2016). Abnormal uterine bleeding in premenopausal women. Fertility and Sterility, 105(5), 1130–1141. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30932448/
Sung S, Carlson K, Abramovitz A. Postmenopausal Bleeding. [Updated 2025 Jan 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562188/
Schrager, S., Yogendran, L., Marquez, C. M., & Sadowski, E. A. (2022). Adenomyosis: Diagnosis and Management. AAFP, 105(1), 33. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2022/0100/p33.html
Giudice L. C. (2010). Clinical practice. Endometriosis. The New England journal of medicine, 362(25), 2389–2398. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp1000274
Workowski, K. A., Bachmann, L. H., Chan, P. A., Cohen, D. A., Mena, L. A., Muzny, C. A., Park, I., Reno, H. E., Richens, J., Rowley, C. F., заболеваемость, С. С., & Thorpe, E. M. (2021). Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Recommendations and Reports, 70(4), 1–187. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020, March). Chronic pelvic pain: ACOG practice bulletin, number 218. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 135(3), e98-e109.https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000003716
Wong, E., & Suat, S. O. (2000). Ectopic pregnancy–a diagnostic challenge in the emergency department. European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine, 7(3), 189–194. https://doi.org/10.1097/00063110-200009000-00005
Derogatis, L. R., Laan, E., Brauer, M., Van Lunsen, R. H. W., Jannini, E. A., Davis, S. R., Fabre, L., Smith, L. C., Basson, R., Guay, A. T., Rubio-Aurioles, E., Goldstein, A., Pukall, C., Kellogg, S., Burrows, L., Morrison, P., Krychman, M., Goldstein, S. W., & Goldstein, I. (2010). Responses to the proposed DSM-V changes. The journal of sexual medicine, 7(6), 1998–2014. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01865.x
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Breast Cancer Signs and Symptoms. Retrieved May 13, 2025, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/breast-cancer-signs-and-symptoms.html
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2020). Diagnostic evaluation of the infertile female: A committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility, 114(6), 1167–1176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.08.1401
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Testicular Cancer Signs and Symptoms. Retrieved May 13, 2025, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/testicular-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/testicular-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html