Although a woman’s life expectancy is around 5 years longer than men’s, this does not exempt them from their fair share of health issues.
Women are at risk of all the typical health gripes, with an additional few just for them. Between sensitive endocrine systems and reproductive issues, being a woman isn’t always easy!
But do you know which women’s health problems are the most common? As a woman, sometimes you need to take charge of your health; learning the health problems you are at risk of is a great start.
So, if you want to know which health conditions you may develop in your lifetime, read on.
- Thyroid Disorders
One of the most common women’s health concerns treated in a doctor’s office is thyroid problems, usually an underactive thyroid. While men can also develop thyroid problems, women are 10 times more likely to become hypo- or hyperthyroid.
Hyperthyroidism (Graves Disease) is when your thyroid makes too much hormone. Your risk factors include being a woman, family history, having other autoimmune disorders, stress, pregnancy, childbirth, and smoking.
Watch out for the following symptoms of Graves Disease:
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Tremor
- Rapid heartbeat
- Irritability and emotional distress
- Sensitivity to heat
- Menstrual cycle changes
- Rapid and unexplained weight loss
Women with hyperthyroidism can take antithyroid medications (methimazole or propylthiouracil), have an iodine ablation on their thyroid gland, or have the gland surgically removed.
At the other end of the spectrum, women often suffer from hypothyroidism lack thyroid hormones – thyroid hormone is essential for the regulation of metabolism.
The risk factors for hypothyroidism are the same as for hyperthyroidism, and the symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- WEight gain
- Puffy face
- Slow heart rate
- Muscle aches and cramps
- Dry skin
Fortunately, the treatment for hypothyroidism is straightforward. Your doctor will prescribe synthetic thyroid hormones for you to take once or twice a day.
- Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, responsible for one in five deaths. Many women live with one or more risk factors for heart disease without even realizing, these include:
- Having a sedentary lifestyle
- Being overweight or obese
- Having high cholesterol
- Having high blood pressure
- Being a smoker
- Having diabetes
The early symptoms of heart disease often go undiagnosed. After a cardiac event, a doctor will usually request tests that show heart disease is present. The main classic events are having a heart attack, arrhythmia, or heart failure.
The treatment for heart disease varies from case to case; some women fully recover by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle. However, in more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.
When it comes to heart disease, prevention is key. You should adopt a healthy diet, get regular exercise, make sure you don’t smoke, and focus on relaxing.
Addressing your stress should do wonders for your blood pressure. However, if it’s stubbornly high and won’t come down, you can get an online prescription for blood pressure.
- Chronic Pain Disorders
Pain disorders are common in women and have historically led to many opioid dependency cases. However, there’s a global lack of awareness about the reality of women suffering from chronic pain. Women are less likely to receive treatment than men for chronic pain, despite more women suffering from it.
Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic, widespread pain and around 80-90% of diagnosed cases are women. Other pain conditions that are more common in women are irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic pelvic pain, and headaches.
Treating pain disorders is complex because there isn’t usually an easy cure. Doctors will prescribe pain medication to help manage symptoms, often in combination with talking therapies to help identify if there’s a psychosomatic root cause for the disorder.
- Certain Cancers
Of course, there is the big C. Women are at risk of all the common types of cancer, with an additional chance of developing cervical, ovarian, and breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women. Caught early, breast cancer is very treatable. However, it’s often diagnosed late and can be fatal. A mastectomy is often recommended in these cases to lower the risk of cancer spreading.
The risk factors for breast cancer include:
- Alcohol use
- Smoking
- Being overweight or obese
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Unhealthy diet
Every woman should regularly check her breasts for lumps, changes, and abnormalities. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, go straight to the doctor.
Ovarian cancer affects the cells within the ovaries, and you won’t display any symptoms until cancer has spread outside the ovaries. Even when it’s spread, the symptoms of ovarian cancer are generic and vague, which makes it very difficult to diagnose.
Finally, cervical cancer is where cancerous cells grow on the outer layer of the cervix. It’s usually caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is very common and usually goes away untreated. However, it can sometimes lead to cervical cancer.
The risk factors for cervical cancer are the same as breast cancer, but there are also a few additional risks which include:
- Long term use of birth control tablets
- Having herpes or chlamydia
- Being immunocompromised
- Having multiple full-term pregnancies or carrying to term before age 17
- Family history of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer will often present as negative genital symptoms. I.e., recurrent infections, discharge, odors, and itches. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should go to the doctor; it probably isn’t cervical cancer, but you still deserve peace of mind.
- Depression
Mental health problems have received significantly more attention in the last few years, and many people suffered worse than ever during the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020.
While there’s no apparent cause for depression, it is linked to chemical imbalances in the brain. Research shows that women have a 1.5-3 times higher risk of developing depression than men. This is primarily attributed to the additional hormonal factors and potential stressors women face.
Women are particularly at risk during pregnancy, after childbirth, and during menopause.
Symptoms of depression are more than just ‘feeling sad.’ They include:
- Loss of interest in activities
- Inability to experience joy
- Weight loss or gain
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Poor energy
- Reduced libido
- Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
- Suicidal thoughts
The treatment for depression includes talking therapies and sometimes antidepressant medicine. It’s important for someone with depression to also take treatment into their own hands whenever possible; eating a good diet, getting exercise, and focusing on building healthy relationships is critical.
- Fertility Problems
Another common women’s health concern is reproductive and fertility problems. There can be many reasons for difficulty getting or staying pregnant. Hormonal deficiencies, anatomy, and polycystic ovarian syndrome can all make it difficult to conceive naturally.
If you’re having regular unprotected sex, you can expect to get pregnant within one year if there are no problems. However, it’s best to get a complete check-up if you’re unsuccessful in this timeframe.
The most significant risk factors for an unsuccessful pregnancy are:
- Being older
- Endocrine problems
- Poor lifestyle choices
- Environmental factors
- Having chemotherapy or radiation
- Having a sexually transmitted infection
- Being overweight
Although these are the most common reasons for fertility problems, they can happen to anyone without an explainable cause. If you’re having fertility problems, it’s also helpful to get your partner’s semen checked too.
You can prepare your body for a successful pregnancy by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, diet, and keeping your body a healthy weight. You should also get a full STD panel done, cut down on alcohol use, and stop smoking.
- Urinary Infections
One final women’s health issue is urinary tract infections (UTI). A UTI is an infection in the urinary system when bacteria embed in the wrong places. Women are more prone to UTIs than men because their urinary tract is closer to the rectum – thus, there’s an easier transfer of fecal bacteria. Additionally, it was labeled the ‘honeymoon infection’ because sexual intercourse can trigger UTIs in women.
The symptoms of a UTI are:
- Burning or stinging when urinating
- Passing small amounts of urine
- Cloudy or smells urine
- Red or pink urine
- Pelvic pain
- Fever
UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics, and it’s essential to see a doctor early to prevent further complications. Leaving a UTI untreated can lead to a severe kidney infection.
You can lower your risk of getting a UTI by practicing good vaginal hygiene by exploring the benefits of yoni oil, urinating straight after sex, drinking plenty of fluids, and being lubricated adequately during sex.
Common Women’s Health Problems Explained
That’s the basics of the most common women’s health problems. This list isn’t designed to scare you; instead, the goal is to educate and help you be aware of your risk factors.
Remember, the most important thing is to see a doctor as soon as you notice any abnormal symptoms; most things are more treatable if caught early.
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