Other Services

Irregular Menstruation

Menstruation normally occurs approximately once a month and refers to bleeding from the uterine lining that naturally stops after several days. A condition that deviates from this rhythm is called “irregular menstruation.” There are various causes, including stress, hormonal imbalance, and underlying medical conditions. If you experience irregular cycles, we recommend visiting a gynecology clinic.

Dysmenorrhea (Painful Menstruation)

Painful symptoms associated with menstruation are called “dysmenorrhea” and are generally divided into two types depending on the cause. “Organic dysmenorrhea” is caused by underlying conditions such as uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, or congenital abnormalities of the uterus. “Functional dysmenorrhea” refers to cases in which symptoms such as pain occur despite the absence of any obvious disease, and this type applies to many patients. Symptoms may include not only lower abdominal pain, but also headaches, nausea, and mood changes.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

PMS refers to physical and emotional symptoms that appear 3–10 days before menstruation and naturally improve or disappear once menstruation begins. Physical symptoms may include abdominal pain, headaches, lower back pain, swelling, abdominal bloating, and breast tenderness. Emotional symptoms may include depressed mood, irritability, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. When these symptoms occur every month and interfere with daily life, the condition may be diagnosed as PMS. In particular, when emotional fluctuations are especially severe, the condition may be referred to as “Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD),” which may require more specialized care.

Menopausal Disorders

The average age of menopause among Japanese women is around 50 years old, and the five-year period before and after menopause is called the “menopausal period.” Among the physical and emotional changes experienced during this time, symptoms not caused by other diseases are referred to as “menopausal symptoms.” When these symptoms become severe enough to interfere with daily life, they are considered “menopausal disorders.” The main causes are believed to include a rapid decrease in female hormones (estrogen), as well as age-related physical changes, emotional conditions, interpersonal relationships, and social environment factors. Treatment begins with a medical consultation, and care mainly focuses on lifestyle improvements and psychological support. If symptoms do not improve, medication may be prescribed depending on the condition, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), Kampo (traditional Japanese herbal medicine), antidepressants, and other psychotropic medications.

Contraception

Oral Contraceptive Pills (OC)

Although the usage rate is still lower compared to Western countries, insurance coverage for conditions such as dysmenorrhea has recently expanded, and the use of low-dose oral contraceptive pills is gradually increasing. When taken correctly, low-dose pills have a contraceptive effectiveness rate of over 99% and are considered more reliable than other contraceptive methods." "Possible side effects include headaches, nausea, and irregular bleeding. These symptoms are commonly seen during the early stages of use and usually improve naturally over time. However, although extremely rare, a serious side effect called “venous thromboembolism” may occur. This is more likely to happen within the first three months after starting the medication, and the risk tends to be higher in smokers, individuals with obesity, and older patients.

Emergency Contraception (Morning-After Pill)

When taken within 72 hours after contraceptive failure (as soon as possible), emergency contraception works by delaying ovulation or changing the condition of the uterine lining to help prevent pregnancy. However, it is not 100% effective. A small amount of bleeding may occur several days after taking the medication, but this is considered a temporary reaction. The next menstrual period may be delayed compared to usual; however, if it is delayed for more than two weeks, pregnancy may be possible, so please visit a medical institution promptly." "Possible side effects include temporary nausea and headaches. If vomiting occurs within four hours after taking the medication, the full effect may not be obtained, and anti-nausea medication can be prescribed if necessary.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer screening aims at the early detection and early treatment of cancer. Even if you do not have any symptoms, it is very important to undergo regular examinations and medical checkups. During the examination, a pelvic examination is performed, and cells are collected (scraped) from the surface of the cervix (the entrance to the uterus) and examined under a microscope. This allows doctors to determine whether cancer cells are present or whether there are precancerous changes before cells progress to cancer.