Women's Health
Women have many unique health concerns — menstrual cycles, pregnancy, birth control, menopause — and that's just the beginning. A number of health issues affect only women and others are more common in women. What's more, men and women may have the same condition, but different symptoms. Many diseases affect women differently and may even require distinct treatment.
We tend to think of breast cancer and osteoporosis as women's health diseases, but they also occur in men. Heart disease in a serious concern to both men and women, but risk factors and approaches to prevention are different. Women may also have specific concerns about aging, caregiving, emotional health issues, and skin care.
Women's Health Articles
Doctors sometimes misread heart attack symptoms in women as not heart-related.
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Women who had gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia during pregnancy have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. As a result, they should take prevention seriously and be aggressive about lifestyle interventions.
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Women treated for breast cancer may face a heightened risk of heart disease from the effects of chemotherapy and radiation. But physicians known as cardio-oncologists can offer strategies to both prevent and treat heart damage from cancer therapy. These include echocardiograms before and after treatment to monitor any possible abnormalities, as well as changes to medications such as statins and blood pressure drugs. Physical activity may also decrease the risk of heart injuries related to breast cancer treatment.
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The odds of experiencing symptoms of depression go up as women reach perimenopause and early postmenopause. Hormone therapy has been shown to help ward off these symptoms. But experts say despite the findings, hormone therapy should be used for prevention only in limited circumstances, because the treatment brings its own risks.
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Some cases of ovarian cancer originate in the fallopian tubes. Some experts recommend that women who are undergoing pelvic surgery consider having their fallopian tubes removed, a strategy that may help prevent ovarian cancer. But there are potential risks of tube removal should be balanced against the potential benefits. A lack of information about the long-term risks of the procedure is one factor to consider.
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A new study shows that hormonal birth control could raise a woman’s risk of breast cancer, but only by a small amount. However, women over age 40 who use hormonal birth control may want to ask their doctors about whether they should shift to nonhormonal contraception.
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Many women experience vaginal dryness and atrophy, urinary incontinence, and pain during intercourse after menopause. Vaginal laser therapy offers an alternative option to treat these symptoms.
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Statistics show that drinking among older women is on the rise. Many women suffer from alcohol use disorder. Identifying and accepting it can lead to successful treatment.
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Osteoporosis is not always symptomatic, so screening for the condition is recommended.
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Obesity can affect a woman’s health, even when they’re otherwise healthy. Feelings about weight may prompt some women to skip needed appointments or avoid preventive care. In addition, health care providers may be prone to weight bias, and that may result in women with obesity receiving substandard treatment.
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