Women’s health problems are often misunderstood, and many women don’t get the medical attention they need and deserve because there is simply not enough information available to them. To take control of your health, it is important to first understand the various health issues affecting women at various stages of life.
What Are the Types of Female Health Disorders?
While women are prone to many of the same health issues as men, there are certain issues that affect women exclusively or predominately. Disorders that exclusively affect women include menopause, postpartum depression, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Women are also more likely to suffer from depression than men and for different reasons. It is important to understand these important women’s health issues in order to take control of your own medical care. Preventative care is the best way to stay healthy, and by being aware of the signs and symptoms of women’s health issues before they develop, you can stay healthy longer.
Menopause
All women go through menopause, typically once they have passed through their childbearing years. Menopause simply means that the body’s reproductive system is no longer in the phase where it releases eggs for fertilization or builds a home for a potential fetus in the uterine wall. The ovaries stop releasing eggs during menopause, so there is no reason for the uterus to collect or shed the lining of blood and mucous that results in menstrual flow.
The average age of onset for menopause is 51, but some women go through the change much earlier or later. Menopause can also be forced by a procedure known as a hysterectomy, in which the entire uterus is removed for medical purposes. Menopause can also be induced through the use of hormones. Many perimenopausal and post-menopausal women choose to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which balances out hormonal changes to prevent a significant difference in mood, hair growth, weight and libido. Some common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause included:
