Common Women’s Health Concerns To Look Out For

Women are more than child-bearers, empowered with unique physical attributes and mental capacity. Mothers are capable of nurturing children from the stage of fetal development to the time they are born, until they eventually mature and grow independent. But women are also vulnerable to health issues involving gynecological problems, cardiovascular health, and even mental well-being. That’s why every woman should know how to identify signs and symptoms of common women’s health concerns.

Take a closer look at the common health issues facing women today by continuing to read below.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis is an abnormal condition of the vagina, characterized by increased vaginal discharge. It results from the overgrowth of bad bacteria in the vagina, causing an imbalance of the good bacteria and acidity levels.

Vaginal issues, like bacterial vaginosis, could indicate serious gynecologic and reproductive health problems, including sexually transmitted diseases or STDs, kidney problems, infertility, and cervical cancer. Happy V highly recommends that women should not neglect vaginal self-care if they wish to attain better health. By familiarizing themselves with their bodies on an intimate level, women can become readily aware of unusual or uncomfortable bodily changes.

Here are the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis:

• Burning sensation during urination
• Thin, white, gray, or green vaginal discharge
• Vaginal itching
• Foul-smelling or “fishy” vaginal odor

Heart Disease

In 2017 alone, one in every five women in the United States died of heart disease – a total of 299,578 female deaths – making it the leading cause of morbidity among adult American women. So it’s crucial for women to understand the signs and symptoms, and take prompt action when dealing with this cardiovascular problem affecting millions of women worldwide.

Here are some good-to-know facts about women facing heart disease:

• Pregnant women are vulnerable to heart disease because pregnancy can stress the circulatory system, posing serious long-term complications and serious risks for the impending birth.
• The most common cardiovascular problems during pregnancy include abnormal heart rhythm, endocarditis or inflammation of the heart valves, and congestive heart failure.
• Delivery can trigger cardiovascular problems for the mother caused by rapid changes in the cardiac output, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood volume that cause stress and pressure to the heart and blood vessels.
• During pregnancy, the risk factors for cardiovascular disease include obesity, family history of heart disease, poor nutrition, multiple pregnancies, high alcohol intake, and pregnancy after the age of 30.
• The key symptoms of heart disease during pregnancy include faster heartbeat, palpitations, feeling of tiredness, frequent nighttime urination, and swelling of hands, arms, ankles, and feet due to increased salt and fluid retention.

Urinary Tract Infection

Healthcare providers strongly advise women not to douche and wear tight-fitting clothes, like very tight or restrictive sportswear. Also, wiping the vulva shouldn’t be from back to front, but the other way around. This is because these practices can lead to vaginal problems and urinary tract infections.

According to studies, around 50 to 60 percent of women experience a urinary tract infection in their lifetime. Moreover, recurrences usually happen three months after the original infection, of which 80 percent are reinfections. That’s why vaginal self-care should always be a woman’s number one priority.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis refers to a common female health problem resulting in decreased bone density, causing easy-to-break and weak bones. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, 24.5 percent of women aged 65 years and older suffer from osteoporosis involving the lumbar spine or the femur neck.

Healthcare providers diagnose this condition by measuring bone density through an X-ray or ultrasound. No cure exists for this health issue, and doctors just prescribe treatment to slow the progression of the illness, including prescription medication, dietary supplements, and healthy lifestyle choices.

Here are the risk factors of osteoporosis among women:

• Age
• Genetics
• Smoking
• Lack of exercise
• Certain prescriptions
• Alcohol consumption
• Low body mass
• Steroid use

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer occurs in both men and women. It originates in the milk duct lining and can spread to other organs. It’s the most aggressive form of cancer that affects millions of women worldwide, with 1 in 8 women in the United States, or about 12 percent of the female population developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Women are advised to learn self-breast examination and report any lump to their doctors for thorough assessment, early diagnosis, and treatment.

Conclusion

Heart disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer, bacterial vaginosis, and urinary tract infection are just some of the many common health problems that women face today. That’s why women should prioritize proper self-care and nutrition, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. By doing so, they will be healthier and better able to bear children, and take care of their families. Women who are focused on their well-being will be more empowered to perform their duties to the best of their abilities.