Women’s Health
07.03.2016

What You Need to Know

Tuesday, March 8^th marks the 105th International Women’s Day. In honor of this special day and special women all over the world, this week’s blog will be dedicated solely to women’s health. Women experience a number of health issues and concerns that men are not subjected to. Some conditions that appear in men and women manifest differently in women so it’s important to know what to look out for and how best to take care of yourself or the ladies in your life!

Gynecological Health

Let’s start with something completely unique to women’s health – gynecology. Women are lucky enough to have a pretty complicated tapestry of body parts unique to their sex. Unfortunately, a large percentage of women will suffer from some sort of gynecological ailment during their life. Some can be minor but others may be life-long conditions that require lifestyle adjustments and some may even lead to death. Common complaints include:

• Urinary tract infections which can be painful but easily treated by antibiotics
• Heavy periods which can also be painful and can lead to anemia and fatigue plus cause disruptions to everyday life
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome which is usually a life-long condition that brings with it excess hair growth, obesity and irregular periods

There are a number of ways ladies can stay gyno-healthy including:

• Practice safe sex
• Go for regular checkups such as Pap smears
• Wear breathable underwear and clothing
• Do Kegel exercises to build up pelvic floor strength

Women and Cancer

Similar to the gynecological conditions listed above, women are also at risk of developing a number of cancers that males don’t need to worry about. The majority of the cancers which women are most affected by are unique to women:

Breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers are usually seen in women over the age of 50. All sexually active women have a risk of developing cervical cancer. Genetics can determine if someone is more or less likely to develop one of this cancers but lifestyle factors in greatly too. Ladies can lower their risk of developing cancer by:

• Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and exercise
• Refraining from smoking
• Drinking alcohol in moderation
• Practicing safe sex
• Going for regular screenings and mammograms, especially from the age of 40 up

Ladies Hearts

Heart disease is the leading cause of deaths in men and women. Both are subject to the same risk factors for heart disease:

• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• High cholesterol
• Stress

The scary thing about heart disease deaths in women is that two thirds will have no symptoms prior to dying. Part of the reason this happens is that women tend to suffer from heart disease symptoms that differ from male symptoms. When reading about heart disease, the symptoms listed are often those experienced by men. Symptoms of heart disease in women include:

Heart disease doesn’t just affect older women and women of all ages should keep an eye out for symptoms, especially if they have a family history of heart disease deaths. Women are also susceptible to gaining hard-to-lose weight around their abdomen which can contribute to heart disease and obesity. In order to shield themselves from heart disease women should stop smoking, exercise regularly and eat a diet rich in fruit, veggies and wholegrains.

Bone Health

Bone health and osteoporosis is a major women’s health concern especially for post-menopausal women. Half of all women over fifty will break a bone due to osteoporosis. In fact, a woman’s risk of breaking a hip is equal to her combined risk of developing breast, ovarian and uterine cancer! Women’s thinner bones and their higher level of estrogen is what put them at a higher risk than men of developing osteoporosis. Caucasian women are generally more likely to develop osteoporosis than other races. Specialists say that women should start to think about osteoporosis prevention from their teens or twenties. Preventative measures include:

• Getting enough calcium and vitamin d
• Taking regular exercise
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
• No smoking

All this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to women’s health. There are so many factors which can impact a woman’s health such as whether or not she’s had a baby or if she is pre- or post- menopausal. Prevention is always better than a cure but if you ever have concerns about your health, make sure to consult a physician as soon as possible.

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