Women's Health: Examining Unrecognized Dimensions

Due to the development of numerous medical advancements over the years, awareness about women's health has been increasing across the globe. For a prolonged period, it was something that people generally had a limited amount of information about. Read on to learn the impact of common health problems on women in today's world.

The Impact of Common Health Problems on Women

Women are affected differently by several health conditions. The impact of the disorders and the treatment required can differ dramatically for women as opposed to men, although the symptoms may be comparable. Furthermore, some of these ailments may be more severe or affect women exclusively than men; the sections below elaborate on such women's health issues.

1.  Increased Risks of Alcohol Abuse

The negative effects of alcohol use and alcoholism on women's health are severe. These detrimental effects on health include an increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and fetal alcohol syndrome, which affects the offspring of pregnant women and results in brain damage and learning disabilities.

2.  Exposure to Heart Diseases

The leading cause of death for women globally is cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is responsible for one-third of all fatalities. In the United States, heart disease is the primary cause of mortality for women, taking the lives of 314,186 in 2020, or nearly 1 in 5 female fatalities. 42% of women pass away within a year of having a heart attack, compared to men, who account for 24% of heart attack deaths.

Important risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, and high LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. 

3.  Susceptibility to Mental Health

Due to societal and economic factors, women are more susceptible to poor mental health than men. Women are 2-3 times more likely than men to exhibit symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other psychological problems. Every one in five women deals with a typical mental health problem like depression or anxiety.

Compared to men, who experience depressive disorders to a lesser extent (29.3%), women experience nearly 41.9% of the disability brought on by neuropsychiatric diseases. Besides, older adults are more susceptible to mental conditions like dementia, organic brain illnesses, and depression. Generally, these figures demonstrate that women are more vulnerable to mental illness than men.

4.  Risk of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is not an equally prevalent condition; it seems to prefer women. Women make up half of those with osteoarthritis, especially those with the condition in the hands and knees. Symptoms often occur in women in their 40s and 50s, and the difference is considerably worse after menopause sets in at age 55.

Compared to men in the same age range, women are potentially 350% (3.5x) more likely to have hand osteoarthritis. In women, osteoarthritis is frequently brought on by hormonal changes, obesity, and musculoskeletal and biomechanical system variations. Specifically, the biological orientation of women makes them more susceptible to these health problems.

5.  Risk of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer worldwide. In 2020, 2.3 million women were affected, and nearly 685 000 died from the disease. In comparison to other types of cancer, breast cancer causes more women to lose disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Breast cancer can strike a woman after puberty at any age; however, it tends to strike more frequently as people age.

In the USA, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women after skin cancer. Statistics show that breast cancer accounts for 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancer cases each year. The factors influencing the occurrence of breast cancer include age, obesity, alcoholism, radiation exposure history, family history of the disease, reproductive history, tobacco use, and postmenopausal hormone therapy. Therefore, women need to be aware of this disease to achieve health and well-being.

6.  Risk of Ovarian Cancer

With more fatalities than any other disease of the female reproductive system, ovarian cancer is the fifth most common malignancy among women. For an average woman, the chances of having ovarian cancer are 1 in 78. Throughout her lifetime, a woman has a 1 in 108 chance of developing ovarian cancer.

Despite being less frequent than breast cancer, ovarian cancer is three times deadlier. The death rate for this malignancy is predicted to rise sharply by 2040. Ovarian cancer has a high fatality rate due to the sluggish onset of symptoms, quiet and hidden tumor growth, insufficient screening, and late disease detection. The disease mostly occurs among middle-aged and older women.

The causes of ovarian cancer may include genetics, family history of cancer, obesity, postmenopausal hormone therapy,

endometriosis, late or no pregnancy, and others. As discussed, the symptoms can be subtle and not easily identifiable. It is essential to get regular check-ups for early diagnosis and treatment.

7.  Higher Risk of Urinary Tract Problems

When germs penetrate the urethra and infect a portion of the urinary system, it results in a urinary tract infection, otherwise known as a UTI. Women are much more likely than men to develop UTIs. In actuality, women can experience UTIs up to 30 times more frequently than men.

Women are more likely to develop UTIs for a variety of reasons, including urethral length and placement, sensitive skin, sexual contact, contraception, and hormonal fluctuations. In particular, several conditions, including anatomical variations, hormonal changes, and stages of a woman's reproductive life cycle, make women more susceptible to UTIs than men.

8.  Increased Level of Stress

According to the most recent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics, women between the ages of 35 and 54 who regularly balance multiple responsibilities, such as being a mother, a caregiver for aging parents, a homemaker, and occasionally the breadwinner, experience more stress than men because of the burden of their duties, tension, and apprehension.

Another study on anxiety reveals that women are twice as likely as men to have an anxiety condition, mostly because of women’s innate quality of managing everything. Specifically, women's obligations in both their personal and professional lives worsen tension and anxiety.

Wrapping Up

Despite being society's major caregivers, women's health issues are frequently disregarded from time to time. 

The above-mentioned points aim to display how women are affected by these diseases and how they are biologically more vulnerable to diseases than males. Women tend to face unique challenges and health issues that affect them in multiple ways throughout their lives. 

If you are on the lookout for professional help, get in touch with the experts at Franklin Foundation Hospital. Women's health is prioritized at Franklin Foundation Hospital, and all patients receive the highest quality care possible. You can call us at (337) 828-0760 or visit our website if you need further assistance and information.