While men and women both are exposed to several health hazards, there are some specific health concerns that only a woman has to go through. It's surprising to learn that the most common female health problems go unnoticed and undiagnosed. Some concerns include breast cancer, cervical cancer, pregnancy, menstrual cycle, and menopause.
What some people still don't know is that women are at higher risk of heart attack than men. UTIs are common in women, along with other STDs. Not only that, women are also more exposed to anxiety and depression.
We have enlisted these 5 female health concerns that you should be watchful about:
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women in the U.S. It occurs when your breast cells change and grow, and it's likely to begin in ducts and lobules of your breast.
According to a recent survey conducted in 2023, approximately 240,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer, as well as 50,000 new cases of noninvasive breast cancer, are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
A woman is exposed to the possibility of breast cancer if it's in family history and if it pertains to their hormones. It's not limited to that; other factors like dense breast tissue, history of chest wall radiation, and premalignant breast biopsies can also contribute to the higher chances of breast cancer.
While these risk factors are significant, 70% of newly diagnosed women have no unique risk factors other than their gender and age.
If you want to prevent or decrease the chances of breast cancer, make these lifestyle adjustments and limit:
Smoking
Alcohol
Minimal to zero physical activity
Poor diet
Obesity
Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for men and women. As per the reports of the CDC, 29% of deaths are caused by heart diseases if not treated timely.
Although death isn't the only concern for women because it can also be the cause of their premature death and disability. Women in their 60s are increasingly dying because of heart diseases when it's not even their late years of life. People are not expected to die at the age of 60. If not death, women have been fighting heart disease and its consequences for decades.
The situation worsens because the diagnosis happens late; therefore, treatment starts late. Women should look out for these symptoms, and if they start to experience them, immediately rush to a doctor.
Chest Pain or Discomfort
Upper Back or Neck Pain
Indigestion
Heartburn
Nausea or Vomiting
Extreme Fatigue
Dizziness
Shortness of Breath
Gynecologic Cancers
Gynecologic cancers are known to be the cancers that occur in women's reproductive organs. There are five types of gynecologic cancers:
Vaginal
Uterine
Ovarian
Cervical
Vulvar
Gynecologic cancers are one of the common gynaecological problems in women also they’re called reproductive system diseases. What is even more surprising is that only cervical cancer can be diagnosed early via screening tests so your doctor can start your treatment ASAP. Other than cervical cancer, no other gynecological disease can be diagnosed through tests. In that case, you'll have to be watchful for the symptoms and signs to prevent it early.
Gynecologic cancers can be treated with several methods, depending on the gynecological conditions and which stage you're in.
Depression
Women are more at risk for depression than men due to several reasons. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, they state around 12 million women are affected by a depressive disorder each year compared to about 6 million men. The stats are as shocking as it gets. Not to mention, the number only increases each year. What we don't even realize is that there can be a depressed woman around us, working perfectly fine but fighting a battle in her mind.
Dorree Lynn, Ph.D., a psychologist and author of Getting Sane Without Going Crazy, says it is a gynecological issues and women are compelled to responsibilities and duties due to which they isolate themselves. They need a company in their life, without which they tend to develop the symptoms of depression.
This is not the only reason behind depression in women, and their hormonal changes can also trigger symptoms, especially after pregnancy, postpartum depression.
Other factors include:
History of mental illness.
A past episode of depression
It can be a sign of a heart problem.
Serious chronic illness
Marital and gynecological problems.
Excess use intake of drugs and other toxic substances.
Stress at work
Vitamin deficiency and thyroid disease
Death of closed ones
Eating disorder or anxiety disorder
Childhood trauma
There could be other reasons for developing depression in women.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition where women experience hunched backs, frailty, and severe backaches. Doctors weren't aware of the term osteoporosis until recent years. Now, they have relevant solutions and treatments to prevent that problem.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis affects 44 million Americans, 68% of whom are women. Some people don't know that bodies stop building up new bone mass until age 30. Therefore, the core focus and functionality of your body is to maintain the existing bones.
A piece of relieving news is that osteoporosis is preventable and treatable when women diagnose the signs from an early age. It is never too late to keep bones strong and avoid fractures. Make sure that you’re not calcium-deficient and you’re doing weight-bearing physical activity according to your BMI.
FAQs
What is meant by ladies' problem?
Women's concerns have been framed as their endeavors to attain parity in rights and advantages. Given that women frequently occupy subordinate positions in societies in relation to men, it may appear reasonable to assume that gender equality aligns with women's interests.
What are the three risk factors for ill health?
Tobacco use, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and hazardous alcohol use are major risk factors contributing to the UK's high burden of avoidable illness and untimely death.
What are the risk factors for women's health?
Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, physical inactivity, and obesity are all risk factors that you can address. Age, gender, family history, race, and ethnicity are all risk variables that you have no control over.
What is a health concern?
A health-related issue that holds significance, concern, or interest for individuals, whether they are the patient themselves, their family, or their healthcare provider.
Conclusion
Women are exposed to many health concerns throughout their lives, and we aim to make them aware of possible health and gynecological problems. This blog summarized 5 women's gynecologic health issues and other health concerns that are a possibility for women. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and focus on your physical as well as mental wellness.
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