We women always keep ourselves at our toes as we have thousand different works that consistently seek our attention starting from dawn to dust.
Sometimes you probably will even find it hard to get a respite of a few seconds, no matter how exhausted and tired you are!
And for this extremity of workload or in some cases due to some habitual negligence, most women fail to pay heed to certain health problems that commence in some cases at a very early age.
Moreover, the most agonizing part is that these are burgeoning like canker in these days!
As many of us lack the proper understanding of these most common female health problems, generally several misunderstandings arise and consequently, you endure severe repercussions.
Hence to guard ourselves against that from happening, the most fundamental thing that we can do is we should gather all the necessary information regarding the most common female health problems such as their causes, symptoms and preventive measures.
Most Common Female Health Problems and Solutions
So without further beating around the bush let’s see what the most common women’s health problems and their solutions are:
⚠ Caution: Consult your doctor before taking any medicine
1. Osteoporosis
This is one of the crucial health problems that women are facing in large numbers at the present time. Throughout the world approximately one in three women above the age of 50 years is experiencing the severe impact of osteoporosis and in India, the percentagewise demarcations between male and female are 24.6% in male and 42.5% in female over the age of 50 years.[1]
What it is:
The term ‘osteoporosis’ means porous bones, the disease where the density of bones dwindles rapidly, due to which bones wither and break easily. An osteoporotic bone is not wholly massless; conversely, it contains abnormal tissue structure.
Causes:
In a human body a bone gets constantly renewed, the younger you are the speed of this renewal is higher. But as you grow old the speed of bone renewal decreases, simultaneously the loss of bone mass increases, the result of which is osteoporosis. However there are several other causes of osteoporosis which are:
- Lower intake of calcium: The lower the intake of calcium, the risk of affected by osteoporosis gets higher. The lesser amount of calcium in your body makes your bones prone to lose density and mass.
- Digestive disorder and gastrointestinal surgeries: Several digestive disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and gastrointestinal surgeries generally increase the risk of getting affected by osteoporosis.
- Different medications and steroids: Medications that are used to cure and prevent cancer, seizures and various other steroid medicines such as cortisone, prednisone etc. can lead you to fall in the clutch of osteoporosis.
Symptoms:
Severe back pain or in certain cases the height loss, bone fracture are the common symptoms.
Solutions:
- To lower the risk of getting infected you should surge the amount of calcium intake.
- The higher protein intake can also lessen the risk of getting affected by this dangerous health problem.
- Adequate amount of Vitamin D strengthens bones and minimizes the prevalence of this.
- You have to maintain appropriate body weight to circumvent this.
2. Cancer
Though men and women both are equally vulnerable to cancer, there are certain type of cancers like cervical, breast, colorectal, ovarian etc. to which women are more susceptible.
a) Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common female health problems which is soaring day by day and almost prevalent in every age of women.
What it is:
It begins in the breast where the sells suddenly start to grow turbulently.
Causes:
The exact reasons of breast cancer are not known yet but there are certain factors that can escalate the risk of getting breast cancer which are:
- If you have a family history then the inherited mutated genes can contribute in increasing the risk of breast cancer in your body.
- If you have already experienced radiation treatment then you are more likely to fall prey to this.
- The older you get the more inclined you become to be affected by it.
Symptoms:
- A lump in the breast which seems different from the surrounding fleshy tissues.
- You may experience a slight change in the size and shape of the breast.
- In some cases the nipple gets inverted.
Solutions:
- Talk to a doctor regarding breast cancer screening.
- Regularly do your own breasts check up.
- Avoid drinking excessive alcohol.
- A regular exercise is must.
- If you are at higher risk, estrogen-blocking medication would be a wise option to rely on.
b) Skin Cancer
People who do not have much melanin are easy victim of skin cancer. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays causes this to most of the women.
To avoid the risk of getting skin cancer you have to reduce excessive exposure to UV rays by using umbrellas, hats etc.
c) Ovarian Cancer
This is another type of cancer which is one of the most common female health problems in recent times. The report of NCRP says that after breast and cervix cancer, ovarian cancer is the third most common cancer in which Indian women are getting affected. [2]
It is prevalent in older women and in those who have tried to get their first child after the age of 35 or those who does not have any child at all. Again if you have undergone a hormone replacement therapy you are more likely to get affected by it.
A pelvic exam should be part of your regular health care exam.
d) Endometrial Cancer
It is the cancer of endometrium which is the inner lining of the uterus. It is generally found in older women and when estrogen is taken without progesterone or when someone has a history of PCOD or a history of breast cancer.
Those who have genetic Lynch Syndrome should go through a yearly testing and regular pelvic exam.
3. Heart Disease
Heart disease is considered to be the disease of men but in actuality, this is a misconception because it is also very much prevalent in women as almost one in five women is dying due to heart disease.
Types:
Heart disease can embody itself in various forms which are:
- Arrhythmia: In simple terms this can be described as the abnormal rhythm of hearts. Sometimes the heart beats too slowly or too fast, as a result in times the heart fails to pump adequate amount of blood necessary for the whole body.
- Coronary artery disease: It gives rise to the diminished blood flow in the arteries the reason of which is the cholesterol plaque buildup in the arteries.
- Valvular disease: When there arise problems with the muscles or valves of the heart.
- Congestive heart failure: When the pumping of the heart is severely affected and the body does not get the sufficient amount of oxygen through the pumped blood.
Causes:
- Women having diabetes are more vulnerable to be seized by heart disease.
- Depression and anxiety can escalate the risk of being afflicted by this dangerous disease.
- Women having excessive weight gain, high cholesterol, high blood pressure are more likely to develop heart disease.
- After menopause when the body reproduces very little amount of estrogen, the risk of being attacked by heart disease grows.
Symptoms:
- Intense or mild chest pain that sometimes can last longer or just for few seconds and which is accompanied by a feeling of uneasiness.
- Shoulder or neck pain or restlessness.
- Shortness of breath.
- Tiredness or feeling of exhaustion.
- Indigestion, bloating or vomiting.
Solutions:
- Regular check-up of body and frequent consultations with a doctor.
- Keeping a healthy weight by doing regular exercise.
- Always consuming a well-balanced and healthy diet.
- Controlling the level of cholesterol.
- Smoking is a big no no!
4. Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune disease is one of the most common female health problems which can lead you to traumatic health conditions.
What it is:
It creates a condition in which your immune system erroneously assaults your own body parts or organs. Your immune system is made to defend your body against a foreign virus or bacteria but in an autoimmune disease, the immune system fails to recognize the difference between a foreign cell and your own body cell which consequently results in attacking your body parts such as skin and joints.
Types:
There are multiple variations of this disease, some of which are:
- Rheumatoid arthritis: In it, the immune system basically attacks joints breeding soreness, acute pain, redness, warmth and stiffness in the joints.
- Type 1 diabetes: There are insulin-producing cells in pancreas which regulate the level of blood sugar. In this disease, the immune system attacks the pancreas that in consequence decreases the production of insulin.
- Psoriasis: Skin cells keep renewing themselves, automatically in your body the old skin cells gets continually discarded and new cells are regenerated. But in Psoriasis the production of new skin cells gets amplified and the extra cells get deposited like red patches on the skin.
- Multiple sclerosis: Due to this the immune system attacks myelin sheath (the protective layer around the nerve cells) which causes a delay in transmission of messages between the brain, spinal cord and other parts of body.
Causes:
The exact causes of autoimmune diseases are not known yet but certain factors can soar the risk of getting affected by this disease. If you always eat unhealthy high fat, high sugar and processed food then you are making your body more vulnerable to this disease. Again if you have a strong family history of it then you may get stricken with autoimmune disease.
Symptoms:
- Acute muscle pain, joint pains like knee pain, wrist pain etc.
- Fatigue and weariness.
- Redness, inflammation, swelling.
- Mild fever.
- Hair loss.
Solutions:
- Devouring a well-balanced healthy diet.
- Taking non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as Naprosyn, ibuprofen etc.
- Immune-suppressing drugs may also help.
- Treatments to calm acute pain, skin rashes, fatigue etc.
5. Diabetes
While discussing the most common female health problems, how can one overlook diabetes which has become much frequent nowadays!
What it is:
Diabetes is basically a bunch of metabolic diseases in which you have excessive blood sugar owing to the problems of producing and processing insulin.
Causes:
- If you are obese or overweight.
- Lacking in physical activities.
- Insulin resistance when liver and different fat cells do not use insulin at all.
- If there is family history.
Symptoms:
- Vaginal itching, white discharge.
- Pain while urinating.
- Change in urine color sometimes bloody, sometimes cloudy.
- Frequent urination.
- The healing of wounds becomes slow.
- Increasing thirst or hunger.
Solutions:
- Sometimes birth control pills can give relief.
- Insulin therapy is must.
- Taking metformin for decreasing blood sugar.
- Quitting excessive smoking and drinking.
- Regular exercise to maintain the proper body weight.
6. Bacterial Vaginosis
While talking about women’s health problems and solutions, what becomes of crucial importance is vaginal health. Otherwise, you can contract Bacterial Vaginosis (BV).
What it is:
It is a vaginal infection, caused by the disturbance of the proper balance of vaginal bacteria.
Causes:
In vagina there resides a type of bacteria called lactobacillus which being acidic in nature prevents other bad bacteria from mushrooming in vagina. When the production of this lactobacillus decreases other bad bacteria grow which leads to vaginal infection.
Symptoms:
- Foul smell in vagina.
- Whitish or greenish discharge.
- Irritation or burning sensation while urinating.
- Constant itching.
Solutions:
- Doctor may prescribe a topical gel called Metronidazole.
- Always properly cleanse vaginal area after urinating.
- Regularly use a delicate cleanser such as VWash.
- Regular intake of Vitamin B through diet or supplement.
- You may consume Tinidazole orally.
7. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is one of the most common female health problems due to which a woman faces numerous troubles. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 116 million women have already been affected by PCOS in 2012. (source)
What it is:
PCOS is mainly a hormonal disorder which results in expanded ovaries that contain small cysts on the outer edges.
Causes:
The proper reasons of PCOS are known yet but it is estimated that male hormones while produced hugely prevent ovary from manufacturing eggs normally. Other reasons may include genetic history, inflammation, insulin resistance etc.
Symptoms:
- Extremely irregular periods.
- Weight gain.
- Immoderate hair loss.
- Hair growth on face and other parts of the body.
- Acne.
- Heavy bleeding.
Solutions:
- Consuming estrogen and progestin in a regular basis.
- Metmorfin can be used to treat PCOS.
- A healthy and well-balanced diet.
- Regular exercise to control unrestrained weight gain.
8. Migraine
Nowadays, Migraine has become another leading and common female health problem.
What it is:
It is an acute hammering pain on one side of head. During the attack of migraine patient may experience vomiting, nausea, extreme sensitivity to light and noise. The pain can last for several hours or days.
Causes:
Environmental and genetic factors are sometimes responsible for migraine. Moreover hormonal changes, stress, extreme physical exertion, too much sound and noise, excessive intake of caffeine, lack of sleep can also cause migraine.
Symptoms:
- Extreme mood change.
- Stiffness of neck.
- Constipation.
- Seeing various shapes and lights.
- Loss of vision.
Solutions:
There is no permanent solution of migraine but treatment and medications are there to relieve the uncontrollable pain. Different painkillers such as Metopar, Greynil etc can be taken alternatively.
9. Menopause
Each and every woman goes through this disorder. It basically means the stoppage of the reproductive system when the ovaries do not produce eggs anymore.
The average age of menopause is 51 years but some experience this earlier or some experience this later. To avoid the sudden change in mood, hormonal imbalance, hair growth, weight many pre-menopausal or post-menopausal women decide to go through hormone replacement therapy.
10. Depression
Depression is another condition which almost every woman is facing worldwide. But unfortunately, most of them do not get the proper attention and care.
What it is:
Clinical depression is a severe disorder of mood. It creates feelings of extreme sadness, helplessness, loathing, detestation, and worthlessness.
Symptoms:
- Persistent anxiety.
- Severe feeling of dejection.
- A sense of restlessness, always feeling like crying.
- Sleeplessness or insomnia.
- Too much sleep.
- Weight loss or weight gain.
- Suicidal thoughts.
- Always tired and fatigued.
Solutions:
Depression cannot be cured entirely but surely it can be remitted. Certain things are there that can prevent the recurrences of depression such as
- Regular attending of psychotherapy.
- Quitting alcohol or drugs.
- Taking prescribed medication consistently.
- Doing physical exercise or yoga regularly.
- Spending time with loved ones, family members or friends.
- Always keeping yourself busy in doing something constructive.
- Sufficient amount of sleep and rest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the most common female health concerns?
The most common female health problems are: breast cancer, ovarian cancer, PCOD, osteoporosis, autoimmune disease etc.
Can smoking and drinking worsen different female health problems?
Yes! Smoking increases different heart diseases, migraine attack, lung cancer and similarly excessive drinking can lead to various serious ailments.
Is self-breast check-up necessary?
Yes, to know whether there is any unwanted lump or not self breast check-up is extremely necessary.
What are Fibroids?
It is a non-cancerous tumor in the womb.
Are irregular periods normal?
No, it’s not normal. If the gaps are more than 4-5 weeks then this can be a symptom of PCOS or PCOD.
Is Bacterial Vaginosis a sexually transmitted disease?
No, it is not a sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by the imbalance of vaginal bacteria.
Check Also:
- Difference Between Wired and Non-Wired Bra: Which is Better For You?
- 10 Home Remedies for Laryngitis That Might Help
- 11 Big Disadvantages of Not Wearing Underwear
- 7+ Reasons Why You Should Never Use Cheap Beauty Products?
Conclusion
Therefore it becomes very necessary that you have the proper knowledge and information regarding the most common female health problems because if you neglect or fail to recognize them they can make your life tumultuous and turbulent. Besides, try to maintain a healthy lifestyle incorporating physical exercise so that you can always keep yourself at the safe side of the table.
Sources:
- Thulkar J, Singh S. Overview of research studies on osteoporosis in menopausal women since the last decade. J Midlife Health 2015; 6:104-7. – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- NCRP Report. “Three Year Report of Population Based Cancer Registries 2012-14”. National Cancer Registry Program, Indian Council of Medical Research (2016). – ncdirindia.org
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