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Women's Health

Women Sometimes Neglect their Own Health

Women and men have many of the same health problems, but they can affect women differently. For example, women may have different symptoms of heart disease. Some diseases or conditions are more common in women, such as osteoarthritis, obesity and depression. And some conditions, such as menopause and pregnancy, are unique to women.

Women sometimes neglect their own health and focus instead on their partner's and their children's. Take care of yourself first:

• Plan for pregnancies and see your healthcare provider regularly while you are pregnant
• Have regular mammograms
• Get regular checkups and screenings. Early detection is important for treating breast, cervical, uterine and ovarian cancer

Breast Care

Most women experience breast changes at some time. Your age, hormone levels and medicines you take may cause lumps, bumps and discharges. If you have a breast lump, pain, discharge or skin irritation, see your doctor. Minor and serious breast problems have similar symptoms. Although many women fear cancer, most breast problems are not cancer.

Some common causes of breast changes are:

• Fibrocystic breast condition - lumpiness, thickening and swelling, often associated with a woman's period
• Cysts - fluid-filled lumps
• Fibroadenomas - solid, round, rubbery lumps that move easily when pushed, occurring most in younger women
• Intraductal papillomas - growths similar to warts near the nipple
• Blocked or clogged milk ducts
• Milk production when a woman is not breastfeeding
• Injury

Pap Smears

A Pap Smear is a test of a sample of cells taken from a woman's cervix. The test is used to look for changes in the cells of the cervix that show cervical cancer or conditions that may develop into cancer.

Obstetrics

Care for women during their pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal.

Menopause Care

Menopause happens because the woman's ovary stops producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a period for one year. Changes and symptoms can start several years earlier. They include:

• Changes in periods - shorter or longer, lighter or heavier, with more or less time in between
• Hot flashes and/or night sweats
• Trouble sleeping
• Vaginal dryness
• Mood swings
• Trouble focusing
• Less hair on head, more on face

Some symptoms require treatment. Talk to your doctor about how to best manage menopause. Make sure the doctor knows your medical history and your family medical history. This includes whether you are at risk for heart disease, osteoporosis, or breast cancer.