Being male or female substantially influences health due to biological and gender-related variations. Although men and women develop various health conditions, some are specific to women. For instance, abnormal bleeding during or after the monthly flow.
Since awareness is the first stage for prevention, below are listed 5 health-related issues that frequently occur in women.
1. Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most aggressive cancer affecting the global female population. It originates typically in the lining of the milk ducts and can spread to other organs. The type of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer. The condition occurs more often among female populations in developed nations due to their extended life spans. A breast lump may develop first in women with breast cancer. Although 80% of breast lumps are benign, they should be checked by healthcare providers.
2. Gynecological Health Conditions
One of the most common questions women ask is, “why am I bleeding a week after my period?” Bleeding a week after your period may indicate a gynecological health condition. Bleeding and discharge are a normal part of the menstrual cycle, but when other unusual symptoms like frequent urinating are experienced during menstruation, they may be related to health issues. Other gynecological health conditions that may cause bleeding up to a week after your period include vaginal issues, uterine fibroids, and pelvic floor disorders.
3. Cervical and Ovarian Cancer
There is a difference between cervical and ovarian cancer; many women do not know this. Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix, while ovarian cancer occurs when cells that form in the ovaries or fallopian tubes grow and multiply out of control. Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact, which is the high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Both types of cancer cause similar pain.
4. Heart Diseases
Although heart disease can also occur in men, it is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. According to the CDC, 1 in every 16 women aged 20 and older has coronary heart disease. It presents the same symptoms as in men, such as chest pain, pressure, or discomfort, which may last more than a few minutes or fluctuate. Emotional stress can trigger heart attack symptoms in women, and women tend to have symptoms more often when resting than men. Heart disease risk factors for women include diabetes, smoking, inactivity, emotional stress, depression, and menopause, among many others.
5. Pregnancy-Related Issues
Pregnancy can worsen pre-existing conditions, which may threaten the health of the mother and child. If conditions like asthma, diabetes and depression are not managed properly during pregnancy, it could pose a huge risk to the health of the mother and child. Some complications are related to health problems that occur unexpectedly during pregnancy. It is sometimes hard to distinguish between the normal symptoms of pregnancy and the symptoms of complications. However, most pregnancy complications are manageable with prompt treatment.
Conclusion
Women can prevent or reduce the risk of having these health-related issues specific to women by practicing healthy habits, participating in regular physical activities, and making regular visits to healthcare providers.
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