Women’s health is a category of medicine that focuses exclusively on the well-being of women and girls. This includes physical health, mental health, and emotional health. (1) Some topics deal with the intricacies of day-to-day living, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Other discussions center on topics specific to women, such as reproductive health and menopause.
Even universal topics like mental health can and should be seen through a special lens when women are involved. The rate of mental illness is higher in women compared to men: 25.8% among females versus 15.8% among men. (2) Women may experience different symptoms than men, and gender bias studies show that women in pain are often taken less seriously than men reporting similar levels of discomfort. (3)
Women’s health services focus on diagnosing and treating a wide variety of disorders and conditions, with a major focus on preventative care and screenings. (4) Some organizations and practitioners are taking a more holistic approach to female-centric health care, assembling a team of specialists who work together to address everything from gynecological health to mental health to weight management.
TUESDAY, March 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Obesity takes a huge toll on health, and a new British study finds that obese women have a 40 percent higher risk for cancer than thinner women. Overall, the Cancer Research UK study found that obese women have about a one in four... Read More
FRIDAY, March 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Asking a judge for a restraining order against an abusive partner can lead to lower earnings for women, a new study suggests. University of Pittsburgh researchers studied the earnings of nearly 4,000 women in Allegheny County, Penn., between January 1995 and December... Read More
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly half of all pregnant women gain more weight than recommended during pregnancy, a new study finds. "This is a concern because gaining too much weight has health consequences for both mothers and infants," said study co-author Andrea Sharma, an epidemiologist with... Read More
I am 19 years old and my height is 5 feet 2 inches. I have always been very happy with my weight and have never... Read More
My brothers ex girlfriend is almost 40 weeks pregnant. We have already established the fact that she is a pathological liar. Recently in the event... Read More
Can you take a moment? The Practice: Lower your stress var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot( '/22836344208/Article_Top_300x250'... Read More
“If 50 million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.” —Anatole France A number of wealthy businessmen not only had weaseled a... Read More
Research from Harvard School of Public Health has found that women who eat a diet high in refined grains such as pasta are about one-third more likely to suffer from... Read More
Some of the most pressing medical concerns affecting women include: (5)
While many of these disorders and diseases occur in both men and women, the risk factors and symptoms may not look the same. Heart disease is a good example. While both men and women exhibit traditional risk factors such as obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, and diabetes, women have a separate set of risk factors: (6)
Women experiencing medical conditions should seek help from their primary care physician or another qualified medical professional. It’s crucial to learn the risk factors specific to women and for women to advocate for themselves when they suspect something isn’t right.
Women’s reproductive systems go through several cycles, including puberty, menstruation, child-bearing years, menopause, and post-menopause. Closely monitoring reproductive health can help prevent illness and injury and detect problems early to maximize treatment options.
Common reproductive health issues for women include the following. (7)
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is when uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, such as on the bladder or bowels. These growths can cause pain, menstrual problems, and infertility.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow in and around the uterus. Some women with fibroids have no symptoms, while others have pain during intercourse, frequent urination, and heavy periods, among other symptoms.
Gynecologic Cancer
Gynecologic cancer includes any cancer that originates in the female reproductive organs, including cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and vaginal cancer. More than 110,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with gynecologic cancer each year. Another 32,000 die annually from the same category of diseases. (8)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
There are more than 20 sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) women can contract as a result of sexual contact. Some, like chlamydia, can be treated using prescription medication. Others, like HIV, can be more serious. All require medical attention to prevent complications.
Sexual Violence
Nearly half a million Americans experience rape or sexually assault each year. (9) Approximately 90% of adult rape survivors are women.
Menopause is when a woman stops experiencing menstrual periods and becomes unable to get pregnant. (10) This major life change is accompanied by significant hormonal changes, as the body generates less estrogen and progesterone.
Symptoms of menopause include: (11)
While hormone changes are a natural part of menopause, exceedingly low estrogen levels can be problematic. When menopause symptoms begin to interfere with daily life, it’s important to reach out to a primary care physician (PCP). A PCP will listen to their patient’s concerns and recommend treatments, such as hormone therapy, when appropriate.
Menopause can take a toll on mental health and emotional health as well. (12) Research shows that the incidence of depression doubles for women approaching menopause (a period often referred to as perimenopause). Women who experienced depression and anxiety in the past are at higher risk of recurrence. It can be helpful to approach friends and family to find support. Every woman goes through menopause, and sharing experiences can make the process seem less daunting and isolating.
Women account for a staggering 80% of people diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. (13) Patients with autoimmune diseases have immune systems that have lost the ability to distinguish between good cells and foreign cells. As a result, the body starts attacking itself. Scientists believe that autoimmune disorders arise as a result of a combination of factors, such as genetics, viral infections, environmental conditions, and diet.
Here are some of the most common autoimmune diseases in women and their associated symptoms: (14)
There is no cure for autoimmune disease. However, most can be treated using a combination of medication and other holistic approaches that take into account the specific condition, lifestyle, genetics, and environment.
Sources
