Top 8 Common Health Issues Specific To Women’s Health
Certain health issues are specific to women. Although there are some health issues common to both men and women, often women are most affected by them.
Not only are there numerous health issues specific to women, but there are also numerous diseases – like mental health disorders and urinary tract infection – that cause more harm to females than males.
In this article, we shall discuss some diseases and illnesses specific to women’s health.
1. Breast Cancer
One of the most aggressive forms of cancer typical to women, breast cancer generally has its origin in the milk ducts of the breast.
Notably, if detected early, this form of cancer is curable with a survival rate of about 80% in North America.
However, in low-income countries, breast cancer has a survival rate of below 40%.
2. Cervical and Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer and cervical cancer are two of the other cancers typical to women.
While cervical cancer originates in the cervix or the lower uterus, ovarian cancer typically originates in the fallopian tubes.
Both of these cancers have high survival rates if the detection is early. However, due to the lack of screening and treatment opportunities, low-income countries have extremely low survival rates.
3. Heart Disease
While heart diseases are common to both genders, women generally succumb to coronary diseases more than men. In fact, in the USA alone, the cause of one in every four deaths among women is heart diseases.
However, only 56% of the total women population in the United States recognize heart disease as one of the prime threatening conditions for their health.
4. Maternal Health
Although efforts have been made to ensure the utmost care during and after childbirth, numerous countries still do not have efficient facilities for maternal health.
Lack of family planning and inefficient services pertaining to maternal health have seen a massive number of stillbirths, abortion, and malnutrition in many developing and low-income countries.
Maternal health, even in modern times, is an area that needs to be discussed on the global stage.
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5. HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections
Although AIDS can occur to people irrespective of gender, it is women who are most affected by the new HIV infections.
Despite much awareness, young women still find themselves vulnerable to this disease, and also struggle to get the required treatment.
Not just HIV but other sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia, often imposes numerous risks to the female population.
In fact, untreated syphilis sees up to 200,000 stillbirths and 90,000 neonatal deaths every year.
6. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, a condition that results in weakened and brittle bones, is another great health threat that occurs more in women in comparison to men.
Numerous factors, including excessive alcohol consumption, low body mass, use of steroids, smoking, and lack of exercise generally cause this health disorder.
Sadly, there is yet no cure to this autoimmune disease though there are several treatments that impede its progression.
7. Reproductive Health
Reproductive and sexual health issues are responsible for nearly a third of health issues concerning women between ages 15 and 44.
Unsafe sex is often one of the major risk factors contributing to a series of illnesses and disorders, especially among women in the developing and low-income countries.
Abortion, early motherhood, and malnutrition among children are the primary three adverse effects of unsafe sex.
8. Mental Health
Evidence suggests that the prevalence of mental health disorders is more in women in comparison to men. Depression is one of the primary mental health issues suffered by women. Women also face immense suicidal tendencies, which can be made out from the fact that it is still now one of the primary causes of death in women below 60 years.
Final Words
As one can see, many of the diseases and health issues suffered by women can be tackled by spreading awareness and sensitizing the issue. Definitely mental health disorders and reproductive and sexual health issues are foremost among all. While WHO and government bodies are doing their bit, it is also on us to spread and share knowledge about health issues pertaining to women with anyone who might need our help.
