Many symptoms like bloating, changes in bowel movements, vaginal bleeding (after sex, between periods, or after menopause), itching, or lumps on the vulva, may be serious signs of cancer.
But, too many women are too embarrassed to talk about it, which leads to symptoms going unchecked and, oftentimes, death.
A survey conducted by The Even Appeal cancer charity has shown that 39 percent of women believe there's more of a stigma around gynecological cancers than other types of cancer.
What needs to be changed in order for women to feel more comfortable talking about women's health issues?
Heather Hirsch MD, MS, shares why so many women feel too embarrassed to talk to their doctors about gynecological issues.
Dr. Hirsch is a graduate from SUNY Upstate medical university and completed her Internal Medicine residency in 2014 from University Hospitals' Case Medical Center in 2014 and is currently in her second year of fellowship in Women's Health at the Cleveland Clinic, where her practice is focused on women in midlife and incorporates office based gynecology with internal medicine best practices.