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Women's Health problems in Pakistan |
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| Group-1 consists of girls aged between 12 to 25 and , Group-2 consists of women above 25. In Group-1, most girls presented with dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, oligomeno- rrhoea, and polymenorrhoea. These are provided reassurance, guidance and supportive treatment. There is an increasing number of cases of young unmarried girls who present with generalized hirsutism accompanied with either amenorrhoea or oligomenorrhoea. Unfortunately, we are not capable of handling such cases because these require hormonal investigations and need an expert in hirsutism. Hirsutism is not only destroying their social lives but also inducing suicidal trends in these girls because they cannot afford very expensive laser therapy. In Group-2, most of the women presented with dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, oligomenorrhoea, and polymenorrhoea. These were provided reassurance, guidance and supportive treatment. There are certain patients who require hormonal assays, diagnostic D & C and other measures beyond the scope of this clinic. Therefore, at present we are only providing guidance to such patients. Our results generally In the beginning only 5 % women consented for a pelvic examination by me. |
Our efforts have seen gradual improvement. Most patients now prefer me to examine them and this includes the very rich women who can afford expensive treatment by women doctors, elsewhere. An important result is that now many husbands bring their wives to us and they convince their wives to get a check up. Most women have permission from their husbands or mothers in law. Women have also seen that my attitude has not changed after examining them and now they bring their mothers, grandmothers and relatives and tell them that they have been examined by me. I always remember that I am a GP and not a gynaecologist, therefore, I do not hesitate to refer patients to hospitals or gynaecolgists if I feel it necessary. I am pleased to report that our women's health project is continuing quite successfully. I have performed more than seven hundred pelvic examinations on record since it began. Now I perform 2 to 3 pelvic examinations daily under strict hygienic conditions and about 1 to 2 breast examinations. We have been able to generate awareness about many issues including health education and feminine personal hygiene (especially during menses and personal relationship with husband); general health issues; vaginal discharge and pelvic diseases; family planning both regular and emergency); sexually transmitted diseases; Breast examination; (especially the importance of early diagnosis of lumps) and antenatal, intranatal and postnatal care. A lot of work is still to be done but our pace is satisfactory, if not good. We are also committed to help increase women's income. |
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