Women’s Health

Women experience a wide range of health issues, some of which are exclusive to them and others they share with men—but often with different symptoms, risks, or outcomes.

HEALTH ISSUES UNIQUE TO WOMEN:

Certain conditions are specific to the female body due to biological and reproductive differences. These include:

  • Pregnancy and childbirth

– Maintaining a healthy pregnancy involves early and consistent prenatal care, which helps monitor both the mother’s and baby’s health, detect complications early, and provide education and support.

  • Menopause

– This natural phase in a woman’s life marks the end of her menstrual cycle and often brings symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and changes in bone health.

  • Reproductive system conditions

– Disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, fibroids, and certain cancers (e.g., ovarian, cervical, uterine) are unique to female reproductive health.

Preventive care plays a crucial role in managing women’s health. Routine screenings such as "Pap smears" for cervical cancer, "mammograms" for breast cancer, and "bone density tests" for osteoporosis are essential for early detection and treatment.

HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT WOMEN DIFFERENTLY:

While both men and women can develop many of the same diseases and disorders, the way these conditions present and impact the body often differs between the sexes. For women, these differences can lead to delayed diagnosis or inadequate treatment if not properly recognized.

Here are some examples:

  • Heart Disease: While often seen as a "man's disease," heart disease is actually the leading cause of death among women. Women are more likely to die after a heart attack than men, partly because their symptoms are sometimes less obvious (e.g., fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath rather than chest pain), which can delay treatment.

  • Mental Health: Depression and anxiety are more commonly reported in women. Hormonal fluctuations due to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can contribute to mood changes. Women may also be more likely to seek help or report symptoms, leading to higher diagnosis rates.

  • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): The impact of STIs tends to be more severe in women. For example, untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause chronic pain, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy.

  • Osteoarthritis: This joint disease is more prevalent in women, especially after menopause, possibly due to hormonal changes and differences in joint structure.

  • Urinary Tract Issues: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are far more common in women due to the shorter urethra, which makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. Conditions like urinary incontinence also disproportionately affect women, especially after childbirth or during menopause.