Recent times have seen an increasing understanding of the difference in the health needs of men and women. The fact is, your biological makeup has an effect on your predisposition to certain health concerns.

Here is a list of common female health concerns and what you can do to manage your risk.

1.      Heart disease

Women are more susceptible to heart disease and it is the number one cause of death in this population. Symptoms include chest pain, weakness in the arms, shortness of breath besides, nausea, and vomiting.  Moreover, after menopause, certain risk factors like low estrogen, high blood pressure, and cholesterol are common that increase the risk of heart disease.

2.      Stroke

Stroke affects more women than men. While symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause of stroke, difficulty with speech and numbness of extremities are the hallmark symptoms. Besides, there is a link between pregnancy and stroke as well.

3.      Diabetes

While diabetes is common between men and women, however, in women, it increases the risk for heart disease by four times. Also, women are more susceptible to diabetes-related complications such as kidney disease, depression, etc. In addition, diabetes also causes problems during pregnancy such as miscarriage and birth defects.

To bring down your risk of type 2 diabetes, try to maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and quit the butt.

4.      Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. The good news is monthly self-examinations can help to identify any changes in breasts. Besides, women above the age of 40 years should start scheduled mammograms, and for those who carry the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes, a 3D mammography might be recommended. You can manage risks by opting for healthy lifestyle choices such as regular exercise and quitting smoking.

 

5.      Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the weakening of your bones making them susceptible to fractures. Post-menopausal women are at a greater risk of fractures associated with osteoporosis. Other risk factors include early menopause, low body mass index (BMI), certain medications, genetics, and cancer treatment. you can reduce your risk by staying active, increasing your calcium intake, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use.

6.      Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections are more common in women as compared to men because they have a shorter urethra which decreases the length bacteria need to travel to reach the bladder. Frequent urination and pain while urinating are some of the common symptoms of UTI. While a UTI can go by itself but if it is a recurring problem, other tests may be required to know if the urinary tract is normal.

7.      Sexual health

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), of which at least 14 types are linked to cancer. The most high-risk types are types 16 and 18, both of which are associated with precancers of the cervix.

Cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer) was once one of the most common causes of death in women. With the invention of the Pap smear, the rate of cervical cancer is greatly reduced as it enables providers to detect precancerous cells and deliver treatment to eliminate them before it becomes cancerous. 

8.      Issues related to maternal health

The changes experienced by women during pregnancy such as iron-deficiency anemia to high blood pressure can have long-lasting impacts on their health. Preconception care is highly important, women suffering from high blood sugar or hypertension should take due care to control these conditions before they plan to conceive.

 

During pregnancy, women should take particular care of their nutrition and take adequate preventive measures for related immunizations.