A feature in HealthNewsDigest highlights findings from a recent survey conducted by The Center for Innovative GYN Care that shows the knowledge gap in understanding women’s gynecological health and treatment for common conditions.

Ignoring symptoms or delaying treatment of GYN conditions can affect women’s plans to have children later in life.

Excerpt: 

More than half of women in the U.S. are unclear about GYN conditions and the surgical procedures to treat them. This is significant, as up to 80 percent of U.S. women will have fibroids by age 50, over 5 million suffer from endometriosis, and more than 500,000 hysterectomies will be performed in the U.S. this year, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“Understanding GYN conditions and their treatments is essential for women to be able to make decisions about their care,” said Dr. Paul MacKoul, M.D.“This large gap in knowledge can lead women to ignore common symptoms like pelvic pain and heavy bleeding, which aren’t normal. Fear of the unknown can also be a barrier to treatment, and as conditions worsen, the harder they can be to treat with conservative methods.”

More Findings on GYNSurgeryInfo.org

What women don’t know about GYN conditions and treatments can hurt them. Although millions of women have these conditions, many don’t know about new minimally invasive surgical options to treat them. These advanced techniques offer minimal pain, extremely low levels of complications, and fast recovery times.

Don’t stay in the dark. Uncovered: The Truth About GYN Surgery is a “one-stop” information clearinghouse so you can learn about the latest surgical advances and get the low down on everything from fibroids and endometriosis, to infertility and pelvic pain.

Getting a second opinion matters. There are many gynecological conditions that require surgical treatment, such as fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and pelvic organ prolapse. There are misconceptions related to these conditions and treatments. A second opinion will help a woman get more information about all of her options.

Today, many women undergo more invasive surgical treatments than they may need simply because they don’t know – and don’t ask – what their options are. The consequences can be higher costs, a greater risk of pain and complications and a longer recovery time.

Read more and Get the Facts