WHAT TO KNOW AND HOW TO MANAGE THEM
AS a woman it’s very important for us to pay attention to our health, because some of us lead busy lives balancing family, career, and personal goals. Due to our gender, we often face a range of unique health challenges like from hormonal fluctuations to reproductive health concerns. Paying specific attention to our health is very crucial in understanding the risks, recognizing early symptoms, and taking proactive steps toward prevention and care in case of any health problem.
Here are some of the most common health problems that women often face and how to manage or prevent them.
1. Heart Conditions;
The leading cause of death for women worldwide is heart disease, yet it is often associated with men by many people due to which it goes underrecognized. The symptoms of heart conditions are different in women than men.
Protection and care;
- Maintenance of healthy diet
- At least 30 mins a day physical activity
- Relaxation techniques like doing yoga for managing stress
- Regular health check-ups
- Avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption
2.BREAST CANCER;
The most common type of cancer among women is breast cancer. In 2024 alone in US over 300,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed. While according to the American Cancer Society (ACS) 43,000 women expected to die from breast cancer.
Protection and care;
- Regularly self-examining your breast, also at age of 40 scheduling mammograms.
- Maintaining your healthy weight by regular exercising and healthy diet
- Women with family history of this disease should do genetic testing
3.REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROBLEMS;
Different reproductive health problems like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) to endometriosis and fibroids are common in women. Infact every 1 in 10 women of reproductive age are affected by PCOS according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Uterine fibroids affected 70-80% of women by age 50 and 10% of women worldwide are affected by Endometriosis.
Protection and care;
- Regular gynecological examinations
- Regular exercising and maintaining healthy diet
- Consulting a specialist in case of severe symptoms
4. OSTEOPOROSIS;
Osteoporosis disproportionately affects women, causing weakening of bones and increasing the risk of fractures. 1 in 2 women over the age of 50 is affected by osteoporosis according to National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF).
Due to a decrease in estrogen levels after menopause in women the risk of this disease increases significantly, also more than 80% patients of this disease are women.
Protection and care;
- Taking adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D
- For building and maintaining bone density, doing weight bearing exercises
- Regular testing of bone density for women over the age of 65
5.MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS;
Women are more prone to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders than men. 10-15% of women experiencing postpartum depression after giving birth. 5-8% of women affected by Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Protection and care;
- Mental health disorders can be managed by cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or by medicine in some cases.
- For mental well-being 7 to 8 hours of sleep, physical activity and a balance diet is mandatory
- For coping with mental disorders, support network of family, friends, and professionals is important.