It’s true that women and men share several similar health problems, however, women also have their own unique set of health issues that need to be dealt with in their unique ways.
Healthy living for most women takes a back seat owing to their busy schedules and the chaos of their everyday life. As a woman is a strong support system in society, it is vital for women to have knowledge about the spectrum of women’s health conditions. It is the awareness that can help promote healthy lifestyle practices, which are the best way to avoid disease and improve quality of life.
Here are 6 common health issues that affect millions of women across the globe
1. Menstruation Issues
Almost all women have issues with periods, be it a heavy flow, scant, missed or irregular periods. Period cramps are another common health issue among women.
- Heavy menstruation can interfere with daily life and in severe cases result in iron deficiency.
- Pre-menstruation syndrome (PMS) is another issue which worldwide affects 47.8% of reproductive-age women. Symptoms include changes in appetite, weight gain, abdominal or back pain, headache, swelling of the breasts, nausea, constipation, anxiety, mood swings, etc.
- Another rising concern is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS may have infrequent menstrual periods or excess male hormone levels and are at an increased risk of obesity, type II diabetes mellitus, heart disease, infertility, and acne.
2. Infertility
Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol, consuming processed food and stress can play a significant role in infertility. Various other causes responsible for infertility in women are:
- PCOS
- STDs
- Contraception complications
- Abortion infections
- Post-partum infections
- Pelvic inflammatory diseases
3. Thyroid
Common among women of age 18-35, the thyroid is twice as prevalent in women as in men. Women generally have low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism), in which the metabolism slows down. High thyroid levels can cause the early onset of menopause. Also, pregnancy can raise the level of thyroid hormones and between 5-10% of women suffer from postpartum thyroiditis. Symptoms include:
- Weight gain
- Hoarseness
- Puffy face
- Muscle weakness
- Feeling sluggish and tired
4. Breast Cancer
The second most cause of cancer deaths among women, around half a million women die from breast cancer each year. Various risk factors involved are:
-Increasing age
-Family history
-Obesity
-Early onset of periods
-Late menopause
5. Sexual Health
The effect of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are more severe on women than men, however, it often goes untreated as the symptoms are less noticeable or are misdiagnosed. Women should be concerned about their bladder as well as sexual health as they rapidly get affected by both urinary tract infections (UTIs) and STDs.
6. Depression
In contrast to men, women are more prone to experience anxiety and depression. Hormonal fluctuations or other issues can trigger the condition such as:
- Post pregnancy
- Around menopause
- Family history
- Marital problems
- Chronic illness
- Stressful life event
- Physical or sexual abuse
Although the majority of people need treatment, a few measures such as leading a healthy lifestyle with regular physical activity, healthy eating, and spending time with people you trust can also help.
As a woman, you have a lot of responsibilities but nothing beats the responsibility of taking care of your own health- mind, body and soul. Aim to lead a healthy and happy life by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, practising stress management, meeting up loved ones and seeing your doctor regularly.
Want to learn more about women’s health concerns to help treat and prevent them? Check out our blogs related to women’s health or find a provider who can help you address your questions about women’s health issues.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog or in any linked material is not intended and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. For holistic health advice and consultation, visit https://www.mywellself.ca/.
