Women's Health Issues and Solutions

Women's Health Issues and Solutions

Health issues are often perceived as being men’s issues, but this just isn’t true. Women’s health issues can be just as prevalent and dangerous to women as men’s health issues are to men. To learn more about women’s health issues and solutions, click here!

6 Women’s Health issues and their solutions

a woman’s body is an endless source of wonder. Throughout history, women have been portrayed as beautiful beings made of delicate components that need to be coddled. Unfortunately, as many of us already know, modern-day society presents a very different picture. It appears that our bodies are now perceived as something to fix, change or discard when we can no longer fulfill societal standards. In reality, however, we are whole beings who are capable of achieving great things beyond those often presented by mainstream media. Below are 6 topics that can challenge our self-perception. This list is not exhaustive but it does provide insight into how women think about their health issues. Hopefully, these points will help you take control of your own body and mind so you too can achieve your dreams. 

1) Women’s Body Image: The quest for perfection has left women feeling inadequate in their own skin. This has caused a rise in eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Compulsive Overeating which leads to obesity.

Heavy Period

One woman’s period lasts seven days, another a few hours. The average woman menstruates every 28 days or so, but some have periods as often as every 23 or as rarely as every 45. What’s normal? There’s no such thing. Women with extreme cases should talk to their doctors about treatment options like hormonal birth control (also known as the pill) to make periods lighter and more regular. Some women just need a little bit of help from over-the-counter pain relievers to relieve cramps and make that time of month easier to handle—don't be afraid to ask your doctor if they're right for you. If you find yourself feeling anxious before or during your period, try relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga. And remember: It’s totally natural to feel frustrated when you can’t go on with life as usual because of a heavy flow—you don’t deserve extra shame for it. In fact, women who experience heavier than normal flows may actually be at lower risk for endometrial cancer in later life than women who bleed less frequently. So even though it can feel embarrassing now, there are plenty of reasons not to stress about it too much!

Menstrual Cramps

The cramps a woman experiences about her period are called menstrual cramps. They can be relatively mild or incredibly painful. According to Harvard Medical School, women often experience mild cramping before their period, and it's considered normal. However, pain during a period can be an indication of issues that require medical attention, such as endometriosis. Fortunately, there are many solutions for dealing with period pain. One common way to manage your menstrual cycle is with birth control pills; these often help regulate hormones and reduce pain from PMS (premenstrual syndrome). Another option for relieving your symptoms is by taking an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You can also use heat therapy to ease pain, which involves using warm compresses on your abdomen. In addition, you might try acupuncture or yoga. Both of these options have been shown to decrease pain caused by menstruation. If you're still having trouble managing your symptoms, talk to your doctor about other treatment options.

Bloating/Water Retention

Here are a few things you can do to relieve bloating: (1) stay hydrated; (2) eat smaller meals more frequently; (3) avoid carbonated beverages; (4) consume less dairy or dairy alternatives. In addition, try these foods that help fight bloat. And, if it’s an underlying medical condition causing your bloat, you should talk to your doctor about treatment options. For example, in women with irritable bowel syndrome, taking a probiotic daily could help ease symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloat. Also, there are many other ways to reduce water retention including salt restriction, drinking coffee, eating spicy food, and drinking alcohol.

While many women experience issues like bloating during menstruation (commonly known as PMS), some women have other reasons for their discomfort. If you have severe PMS cramps—or any other kind of severe period pain—it may be due to endometriosis. Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the lining of your uterus grows outside of it—most commonly on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic walls. This tissue grows during menstruation and then breaks down just like the uterine lining does.

PMS

Women often experience pain or discomfort in their abdomen, back, breasts, shoulders, arms, or legs during their monthly menstrual cycle. The severity of these symptoms can vary from woman to woman. Sometimes these sensations are mild and can be treated at home with simple self-care measures. Other times women may need prescription medication for relief. The key is to know what’s normal for you so that you don’t ignore a potentially serious symptom or illness when it occurs. An important first step is understanding your health concerns by taking an online quiz on Women’s Health Issues today! It’s free and only takes about five minutes. After answering questions about your health history, lifestyle habits, and medications, you will receive personalized information about women’s health issues relevant to you. Take our Women's Health Issues Quiz today!

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (Leakage)

Women who suffer from Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (also called pelvic organ prolapse) may not realize they have a problem. But, in fact, leakage—the most common type of pelvic floor dysfunction—is surprisingly common. That’s why it’s so important to learn about pelvic floor dysfunction, even if you’re perfectly happy with your life as it is now. One in five women will experience some sort of pelvic floor disorder in her lifetime; 30% of women ages 40 to 60 are experiencing some form of pelvic floor dysfunction right now. And many of them don’t even know it because leakage isn’t visible, painful, or detectable by physical exam alone. So how do you know if you have leakage? It’s easy: You just pee on a pad after going to the bathroom. If you see blood, you might have leakage. It doesn’t matter what kind of pad you use—if there’s blood on it, that means something is wrong.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

The First Step to a Solution - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone disorder that affects 5% of women in their reproductive years. It causes irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain, acne, excess hair growth, pain during ovulation (which can cause infertility), depression, and anxiety. While it’s not clear what causes PCOS, there are some risk factors: obesity, too much insulin in your bloodstream, and elevated testosterone levels. Treatments include lowering insulin levels through diet changes (low-carb diets or low-calorie diets work well) or by taking metformin. If you have PCOS, talk with your doctor about which treatment will be best for you. To learn more about women’s health issues and solutions, check out Women's Health Magazine.