I’ve been practicing gynecology in Delhi long enough to notice the same thing over and over: most women wait much longer than they should before coming in. They tell themselves “it’s probably normal,” “it’ll pass after my next period,” or “this is just what happens at my age.” The reality is that the body usually gives very clear warnings when something isn’t right. Catching those warnings early almost always makes everything easier, fewer tests, gentler treatment, better chance of keeping fertility intact, and a lot less stress down the line.

South Delhi has plenty of experienced gynecologists and good diagnostic places nearby, so there’s really no excuse to keep putting it off when things feel off. Here are the symptoms and situations that should push you to book an appointment sooner rather than later. These are the ones I see most often and where waiting can turn a small issue into a big one.

Periods That Are All Over the Place, Very Heavy, or Extremely Painful

Menstrual cycles should be reasonably predictable for most women. When they stop being predictable, something usually needs looking at:

• Cycles that are regularly shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days.

• Bleeding that goes on longer than 7 days or soaks through pads/tampons every 1–2 hours.

• Cramps so bad they stop you from normal daily life and force you to take strong painkillers every single month.

• Passing big clots or bleeding/spotting between periods.

• Flow that suddenly becomes much heavier or much lighter after years of being steady.

These changes often come from PCOS, thyroid imbalance, fibroids, endometrial polyps, adenomyosis, endometriosis or hormonal ups and downs. An ultrasound and some blood tests can usually spot the cause early, before you become anemic, fertility gets harder, or surgery turns into a bigger deal.

Discharge, Odour or Itching That Won’t Quit

Normal discharge is usually clear to white and doesn’t smell strong. When it changes suddenly or keeps bothering you:

• Much more discharge than usual, turning yellow/green/grey with a strong fishy or yeasty smell.

• Thick white, cottage-cheese-like discharge with really intense itching (classic yeast).

• Constant itching, burning, redness or swelling around the vulva/vaginal opening.

• Any discharge with streaks of blood when it’s not your period time.

Most of these are bacterial vaginosis, candida, trichomonas or sometimes cervicitis. A quick swab and the right medicine clear it up fast. Leaving it alone can turn into long-term irritation, repeated infections or (rarely) let something more serious slip by.

Pain During Sex or Constant Pelvic Ache

Pain with intercourse or ongoing pelvic discomfort is never something you should just accept:

• Deep, aching or sharp pain inside during penetration.

• Burning or soreness right at the vaginal entrance.

• Lower belly or pelvic pain that isn’t linked to your cycle and doesn’t go away.

Common reasons include endometriosis, adenomyosis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, fibroids pressing on things, scar tissue from earlier surgery or vaginal dryness from low estrogen (especially near menopause). A proper exam, ultrasound and sometimes laparoscopy can find the cause and open up ways to fix it before it starts affecting relationships or your day-to-day life.

Breast Lumps, Nipple Changes or Discharge

Any breast symptom should be taken seriously and checked quickly:

• New lump, thickening or hard spot in the breast or armpit.

• Nipple discharge (especially if it’s bloody, clear or comes without squeezing).

• Skin changes orange-peel look, dimpling, redness or swelling.

• Nipple turning inward or a rash/crusting that doesn’t heal on the nipple/areola.

Most lumps turn out to be benign (cysts, fibroadenomas), but clinical exam plus ultrasound (under 40) or mammogram (over 40) gives certainty. Early checks make all the difference if something serious is there.

Bladder or Bowel Trouble That Seems Connected to the Pelvis

When urinary or bowel symptoms start showing up alongside gynecological ones:

• Going to the toilet very often, sudden strong urges, feeling like you can’t fully empty, or repeated UTIs in adult women.

• Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise (stress incontinence).

• Trouble passing stool, needing to strain a lot, feeling of incomplete emptying or having to press on the vagina/perineum to go.

• Sensation of heaviness, dragging or something bulging out of the vaginal opening (prolapse).

These usually link back to pelvic-floor weakness after childbirth, long-term constipation or tissue thinning from menopause. A gynecologist who knows pelvic-floor issues can assess and offer physiotherapy, pessary or surgery if needed.

Trouble Getting Pregnant or Multiple Miscarriages

If you’ve been actively trying for 12 months (or 6 months if over 35) without success, or you’ve had two or more miscarriages, it’s time for a proper check:

• Very irregular or completely absent ovulation (PCOS is the most common cause in India).

• Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes (from past infection, endometriosis or surgery).

• Uterine cavity problems (septum, fibroids distorting shape, adhesions).

• Hormonal imbalances (thyroid, high prolactin, low progesterone).

Simple tests, hormone blood work, ultrasound, HSG and partner semen analysis, usually show the main issue. Many couples respond well to basic treatment.

Any Bleeding After Menopause

Once periods have stopped completely for 12 months, any vaginal bleeding is abnormal until proven otherwise. It can be harmless (atrophic vaginitis from low estrogen), but it can also be endometrial hyperplasia or cancer. A quick transvaginal ultrasound and endometrial biopsy usually sort it out fast.

If any of these are happening to you, especially if they’re sticking around, getting worse or starting to affect your daily life, don’t keep waiting for it to “go away on its own.” Early checks make everything easier and outcomes better.

Consult Best Gynecologist in Lajpat Nagar New Delhi or visit Best female gynecologist in South Delhi can usually figure out what’s going on with a good history, exam and the right tests, then give you a clear, practical plan. Lajpat Nagar’s central spot makes follow-ups easy for most women in South Delhi, and catching things early often turns something worrying into something straightforward and manageable. Listen to your body, when something doesn’t feel right for too long, it’s worth getting checked.