Women's health is a topic area that guides a woman through the stages of her life, as well as the conditions and diseases that may occur. Women and men share many similar health problems, but some conditions may affect women differently than men. And some health issues that women face are unique to the female body.
Women’s healthcare is a vital part of routine health maintenance. Throughout the lifespan, a woman will have particular healthcare needs that require specific, specialized attention.
Read on to learn more about women’s health and the specific aspects of care that are available within our
All in all, a woman’s body is an amazingly dynamic and unique creation that is deserving of specialized healthcare. You can learn more about women’s health at healthywomen.org. Make sure to schedule an annual woman’s wellness exam to stay on top of your health.
A woman’s wellness exam is a fantastic opportunity to stay on top of your health and prevent future disease. If problems are discovered on a routine exam, they typically can be taken care of more quickly, before they get worse. An annual woman’s wellness exam is recommended for women ages 13 and older.
A woman’s wellness exam can be conducted by a healthcare provider working in family medicine, internal medicine, or obstetrics and gynecology. Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your menstrual history, sexual history, breast health, psychological health, and relationships.
Read more about Wellness Exams
One of the most significant life events that demonstrate the female body’s uniqueness and the need for specialized care is a pregnancy. Pregnancy can be an exciting and bewildering time.
Often, women of childbearing age will seek care prior to embarking on a pregnancy, a time called “preconception planning.” During this time, it is important to follow certain steps to ensure a healthy and successful pregnancy, such as abstinence from smoking and drinking, eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise and rest, and taking a prenatal vitamin. Before a pregnancy, some women may also seek guidance regarding fertility and specific ways to assist with fertility.
Once you discover you are pregnant, your healthcare needs will change again. Starting from the time that you discover you are pregnant until the time you deliver your baby, you will likely be seeing your healthcare provider more frequently than you ever have before. Many evaluations will be recommended to ensure that you have a successful and healthy pregnancy.
Breast cancer occurs when abnormal breast cells begin to grow uncontrollably. It can happen to anyone, female or male. However, women are more likely to get breast cancer than men. In fact, in the United States, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women after skin cancer.
Learn More about Breast Cancer.
Gynecologic cancer is one that develops anywhere along the female reproductive tract. In the United States, around 94,000 women are diagnosed with gynecological cancer each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Luckily, there is a lot you can do to prevent gynecologic cancers from developing in the first place.
Learn More about Gynecologic Cancers
As the childbearing years come to a close, the female body once again enters a time of transition. Menstrual periods become less frequent, and then stop altogether, a time called “menopause.” Many women will experience hormone fluctuations during this time, with symptoms such as hot flashes. Make sure to check in with your healthcare provider if you think you may be entering menopause, as your healthcare needs will be changing.
As estrogen levels drop, you may become more vulnerable to health conditions such as coronary artery disease and osteoporosis. A routine bone mineral density test is recommended at least once for all women ages 65 and older. You may qualify to receive one earlier, depending on your specific risk factors for osteoporosis. Your healthcare provider can make recommendations for how to avoid bone thinning and how to manage osteoporosis if it is identified.
