Common Health Concerns of Women
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 | Dysmenorrhea
What It Is
This painful cramping during one's period is thought to be caused by high levels of prostaglandins (chemicals that cause muscles to contract.) Symptoms can also include headache, nausea and diarrhea.
Treatment
Exercise and high-fiber diets help. Medications to reduce prostaglandins or to reduce pain may be needed.
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Eating Disorders
What It Is
Anorexia nervosa (self-starvation) and bulimia (binge/purge) are most common in teenagers and young women. Sufferers may lose up to 25% of body weight, and believe they are fat even though underweight.
Treatment
Eating disorders often stem from low self-esteem and other problems. Professional counseling is necessary.
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Eating Disorders
Endometriosis
What It Is
Caused by bits of uterine tissue (endometrium) growing outside the uterus, this condition can cause severe, steady pain a few days prior to your period that gradually goes away when you stop menstruating.
Treatment
Hormone therapy helps some patients while others may need to have excess tissue surgically removed.
Hypertension
What It Is
Blood Pressure is the force your blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels. Hypertension or high blood pressure indicates that this force is too strong and can put you at risk for heart attack and stroke.
Treatment
Some people can manage hypertension through diet (low sodium, low fat) and exercise. Many may also need medication.
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National Heart Month - Take It To Heart!
Go Red for Women!
Missed Period
What It Is
An unusually light or late period, or no period at all, can result from many conditions such as pregnancy, stress, extreme weight loss or gain, overly strenuous exercise, stopping birth control pills, and thyroid disorders.
Treatment
Your physician may recommend stress management, weight control, exercise, reduction, or possibly medication.
Osteoporosis
What It Is
Loss of bone mass occurs in both sexes, but is more severe in post-menopausal women due to hormone changes. Loss of body height (often several inches), back pain, and "hunchback" are common symptoms of osteoporosis.
Treatment
Regular weight-bearing exercise and a calcium-rich diet help prevent osteoporosis. Hormone therapy can stop loss of bone mass.
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Osteoporosis
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
What It Is
PID is an extremely serious infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries. Symptoms of PID can include severe lower abdominal pain, unusual bleeding, vaginal discharge, fever, and chills.
Treatment
Antibiotics (either oral or intravenous) and bed rest are the first treatment for PID.
Pre-Menstrual Syndrome
What It Is
One to two weeks prior to their periods many women experience PMS - a condition with symptoms that can include depression, confusion, sleeplessness, weight gain, breast tenderness, and food cravings.
Treatment
Low-fat, low-sugar diets, vitamin supplementation, adequate rest, and regular exercise all seem to relieve PMS symptoms.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
What It Is
STDs are actually a variety of diseases that include syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, and AIDS. If you have been exposed to an STD, or if you have symptoms such as discharge, pain, sores, etc., see your doctor.
Treatment
Treatment varies depending upon the STD, but may include antibiotics and other medications. There is no cure for AIDS.
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Sexually Transmitted Disease
Stress
What It Is
Stress is a physical and psychological reaction to change. Persons under stress may have changed sleeping or eating patterns, feel fatigued, irritable, and generally anxious.
Treatment
A stress management class can help you learn coping and relaxation techniques to alleviate stress.
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Stress Basics
Relieving Stress
Exercise and Stress
Vaginitis
What It Is
This condition is caused by bacterial or yeast infections of the vaginal tissue. You may have a discharge (yellowish, white, or "curdled" looking), burning, itching, soreness, and/or painful intercourse.
Treatment
You may be given oral medications (such as antibiotics), or vaginal suppositories or creams.
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A Guide to Women's Health Tests
