Health issues are one of the biggest concerns around the world. Health of a nation is directly reflected by the health of its citizens. Men and women share many similar heath issues but women suffer from many specific health concern which deserve a special consideration. Today women health is a major concern around the world, especially in developing nations. Let’s take a look at some of the major women heath issues.
Menopause
Menopause is defined as the absence of menstruating cycle for a period of 12 months. The menopause process starts with varying length of menstrual cycle and ends with the final menstrual period. It is not an overnight process, rather a gradual one. The average age of menopause is 50 years, but it may occur as early as in your 30s and as late as 60s. There is no reliable source that can predict when a woman will experience menopause.Menopause is a time when your ovaries cease to function and you can no longer procreate.
Some symptoms of menopause are as follows
- Irregular vaginal bleeding
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Vaginal symptoms like abnormal bleeding, dryness, itchiness, irritation and pain during sexual intercourse
- Incontinence
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Forgetfulness
- Breast discomfort, etc
Heart diseases in women
Heart diseases like heart attack are prevalent in both men and women, but women are more likely to suffer from heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pains, for example-
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in one or both arms
- Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back and abdominal discomfort
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Dizziness etc
Breast disorder
Breast disorder can be classified as a disorder of the integument or of the reproductive system. Breast disorder can be both noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant), but most breast related disorders are noncancerous and not life threatening. But serious disorders like breast cancer can have extreme consequences like breast removal or even death.
Symptoms for breast disorder are as follows
- Lumps (noncancerous)
- Breast pain
- Change in breast skin, for example they can become red, thickened, dimpled, pitted or puckered
- Discharge from nipples
Reduced Bone Density
One in two women over the age of 50 suffers from reduced bone density or osteoporosis. Bone loss is a silent condition which has no symptoms and occurs gradually over the years. Many people don’t even realise that they suffer from reduced bone problems. Even though both men and women are affected byreduced bone density as they age, women suffer for this aliment in a far greater number.
Some of the factors that contribute to women’s reduced bone problems are-age, menopause, body structure, ethnicity, family history, smoking, diet etc.
Age and menopause are one of the biggest reasons for reduced bone density in women. The earlier women start thinking about and taking care of their bones, the better.
