10 Most Common Female Health Problems

We might come a long way in addressing female health problems, but still, 70% of women are dealing with some gynecological problem, and still, some are not openly talking about it. In every stage of life, women face unique health issues and don’t know how to manage them. Early awareness can help you get treatment on time, that is why, you should about common gynecological problems and understand when to see a gynecologist before it gets too late.

This article will let you know about the 10 most common female health problems and how you manage reproductive health concerns.

The 10 Most Common Female Health Problems

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

When a small sac of fluid develops in the form of a cyst at the outer edge of the ovary, it impacts the menstrual cycle. This is becoming a common health concern because of the lifestyle women are living. Around 20% of women are dealing with the issues, while 70% of the does not even diagnose. While its prevalence ranges from 2-35%. Due to obesity, diet, zero physical activity, insulin resistance, stress, environmental factors, and genetic predisposition, PCOS is becoming common.

Some of the common symptoms that help to analyze the situation include facial hair because of the production of too much androgen, irregular periods, acne, weight gain, hair loss, oily skin, and unable to conceive. It also increases the chances of other health issues like type 2 diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Causes:

• Insulin resistance- elevated insulin triggers the ovaries to produce high levels of androgen which starts to cause irregularity in periods. Moreover, inflammation and weight gain exacerbate symptoms of PCOS. Insulin resistance is also caused because of excess weight gain or obesity.
• Genetics- PCOS often runs in the family and it passes down from generation to generation. Even studies supported the fact that genetic factors increase the chances of PCOS by 70%.
• Low-grade inflammation- white blood cells create substances to protect our body from injury or infection. Research indicated that PCOS also has long-term low-grade inflammation.
• Increased androgen level- these male hormones prevent ovaries from releasing eggs and cause irregularity in the period.

Treatment and Management

• Insulin-sensitizing medicines- metformin is a type of drug that helps to process insulin in the body, and it also helps to improve the menstrual cycle.
• Medication- to block the effect of androgen hormones, medication helps to control hair growth and acne although it is prescribed based on the condition of the women.
• Lifestyle- a nutritional-rich diet, and maintaining a healthy weight can help to create positive results, like managing weight, improving insulin effects, etc.
• Hormonal birth control- vaginal ring, intrauterine device, and birth control pills are some of the options which help to improve the menstrual cycle.

Thyroid Disorders (Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism)

In comparison to men, women tend to have thyroid disorders. More than 11.4% of women are dealing with the issue, this indicates, 1 out of 8 women have this issue. This is a condition that impacts the thyroid gland’s ability to create enough amount of thyroid hormones. There are two types, one where the gland produces way too many hormones (hyperthyroidism), and another where the gland produces way too less hormones (hypothyroidism).

Symptoms

• Feeling fatigued and have low energy even after getting enough sleep
• Sensitivity cold or heat
• Muscle and joint pain and stiffness
• Having intense mood changes
• Weight gain, constipation, and irregularity in period
• Either sudden weight loss or gain because of a change in appetite and bowel movement
• Visible swelling in the neck
• Having bulging eye
• Sleeping properly, sweating, and inability to sleep
• The feeling of anxiety and nervousness
• Either slow or rapid heart rate
• However, it is often overlooked because of the non-specific symptoms, ignoring health conditions, or misinterpreting the signs of stress or aging.

Thyroid Disorders Treatment

• Hormones replacement- levothyroxine is a type of medication that mimics the role of missing thyroid hormones. Wile methimazole and propylthiouracil are used to block excess hormones.
• Fine needle aspiration- under this, a needle biopsy is done to check malignancy.
• Radiofrequency ablation- a process to shrink thyroid nodules.
• Radioactive iodine therapy- used to eliminate the cancer-causing cells.
• Beta-blockers- these are used to manage rapid heart rate and tremors in hyperthyroidism.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

This is common in women because of the shorter urethra which allows the bacteria to enter the bladder easily. Moreover due to unhygienic sexual activity, birth control like spermicide pr diaphragms, menopause, etc., increases UTI risks. Around 20% of Indian women experience this issue, while more than 50% deal with UTI once in their life.

Symptoms:

• Pain and having burning sensation while urinating
• Having the urge to urinate very frequently
• Pelvic pain, majorly around the center of the pelvis and pubic bone
• Have blood or cloudy urine because of pus and bacteria
• Fever, nausea, vomiting, feeling unwell and having chills
• The foul smell while urinating

Urinary Tract Infections Causes

• Infection of the bladder happens because of the coil type of bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract. Urethra is close to the anus, which becomes easy access of bacteria to enter.
• It can also develop due to unhygienic sex.
• Infection of the urethra can happen because of sex. STI like herpes, mycoplasma, chlamydia and gonorrhoea can happen.

Treatment

• Maintaining hygiene, washing properly after urinating and bowel movements, emptying the bladder just after sex, not using scented products for genital and drinking enough water can help to protect yourself.
• Medication like trimethoprim, cephalexin, etc., can help. But make sure to consult with the doctor which consuming it.
• Don’t consume drinks that can irritate your bladder.

Menstrual Irregularities

If a period cycle took less than 21 days more than 35 days, or you are missing your period three or more times in a row, then this pattern is defined as irregular periods or menstrual irregularities. It also includes heavy or lighter flow than usual, having increased length of period by more than nine days along with immense cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Due to this, issues like amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea can happen.

Symptoms

• Shortening or lengthening of the cycle
• Heavy bleeding or light bleeding
• Having inconsistent flow
• The missing period in a row
• Changes in premenstrual symptoms like mood swings, bloating, or breast tenderness.

Menstrual Irregularities Causes

If a period cycle took less than 21 days more than 35 days, or you are missing your period three or more times in a row, then this pattern is defined as irregular periods or menstrual irregularities. It also includes heavy or lighter flow than usual, having increased length of period by more than nine days along with immense cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Due to this, issues like amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea can happen.

Symptoms

• Shortening or lengthening of the cycle
• Heavy bleeding or light bleeding
• Having inconsistent flow
• The missing period in a row
• Changes in premenstrual symptoms like mood swings, bloating, or breast tenderness.

Menstrual Irregularities Causes

If a period cycle took less than 21 days more than 35 days, or you are missing your period three or more times in a row, then this pattern is defined as irregular periods or menstrual irregularities. It also includes heavy or lighter flow than usual, having increased length of period by more than nine days along with immense cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Due to this, issues like amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea can happen.

Symptoms

• Shortening or lengthening of the cycle
• Heavy bleeding or light bleeding
• Having inconsistent flow
• The missing period in a row
• Changes in premenstrual symptoms like mood swings, bloating, or breast tenderness.

Causes

• Some medical conditions like endometriosis (growth of tissue outside the uterus), pelvic inflammatory disease (bacterial infection), PCOS, primary ovarian insufficiency (where ovaries don’t function properly), thyroid issues, bleeding disorders, and uterine cancer can cause the issue.
• Stress, obesity, illness, and having a very low body fat percentage due to excess exercise are some lifestyle factors.
• Other than that, birth control pills, medication, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, surgery, scar, or blockage of the uterus can cause issues.

Treatment

Stress management like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can help to balance hormones which contribute to making periods manage.

Weight management helps to manage weight and protect from obesity.

Hormonal therapies like progestins, birth control pills, hormones-releasing IUDs, and gonadotropin-releasing hormones can help to stabilize the uterine lining, manage bleeding, and aid in alleviating symptoms like uterine fibroid and endometriosis.

Endometriosis

When a similar tissue like the lining of the uterus starts to grow outside the uterus like fallopian tubes, ovaries, or in the pelvic cavity, then this condition is called Endometriosis. This impacts the menstrual cycle directly by causing inflammation by thickening of the blood.

Symptoms

• Having sharp pain in the pelvis area or lower abdomen and experience noticeable majorly during periods.
• Having painful intercourse, and facing pain and discomfort when urinating.
• Feeling bloated, constipated, having painful bowel movements, especially during periods.
• Unable to conceive even after trying for months.

Causes

• Having Retrograde Menstruation, where menstrual blood and uterine tissue flow back to the pelvic cavity through fallopian tubes.
• Exposure to toxins and pollutants can impact the endocrine system.
• During surgery like C-section, endometrial cell causes scarring.
• Imbalance between progesterone and estrogen hormones
• Immune system dysfunction.
• The issue runs in the family and may pass on to the next generation.

Treatment

• Hormone therapy includes birth control pills or patches and GnRH agonists which slow the growth of endometriosis tissue.
• Laparoscopy is done to remove endometriosis tissue.
• Hysterectomy is used to remove the uterus, and this nullifies the ability of women to get pregnant.
• Oophorectomy is to remove ovaries, and this is opted when other treatments don’t work.

Breast Lumps & Breast Cancer

Most of the women have breast or cervical cancer, and based on a WHO study, half a million women died because of cervical and breast cancer. Globocan Data indicated that breast cancer alone is accountable for 13.5% of cancer cases in India, indicating that the situation is only getting worse. While in India, 28.2% are suffering from breast cancer. This is not a common gynecological problem that one can avoid.

Important Note: if you have any fear, then you can do a self-examination at home with simple steps.

• First make sure, the self-examination should be done on the same day of every month. Using 3 middle fingers, check the entire breast and armpit with firm pressure.
• Check whether you are seeing any changes in any of the sides, like dumplings, skin irregularities, or swelling.
• Lay down put a pillow under your shoulder and check the entire breast again.
• Also, mammograms play a role in detecting cancer before even you feel any lump. Remember, early detection is the key to protecting yourself.

Symptoms

Around your breast or underarm, you feel a thickening of skin or lump.

The size and shape of the breast change.

Appearance of nipple changes, having a discharge of breast milk or blood, or nipple turned inwards.

Tenderness and soreness all the time.

Causes

• Fibrocystic, is a fluid-like cyst on the breast due to hormonal fluctuation.
• Due to trauma, injury, radiation, or surgery, a fat tissue started to deposit.
• Benign of fatty tissue. In the beginning, it is harmless and feels like soft tissue.
• 5% to 105 of breast cancer cases are hereditary because of the gene mutation.

Treatment

• A fine needle aspiration is used to reduce the size of the lump.
• Breast infections are treated with antibiotics.
• A lumpectomy is done to remove the cancer-causing lump.
• Mastectomy, where the entire breast is removed.
• Chemotherapy is used to kill the cancerous cells.
• Hormone, targeted, and immune therapy are used to reduce the effects of hormones that a like fuel to cancer cells, target the gene or protein, and use the body’s immune system to fight against the cancer, respectively.

Osteoporosis

A disease where bones become so weak, that they become vulnerable to fractures. This happens when bone mineral density and mass decrease which causes its strength. This majorly happens around the hips, wrists, and spine. After menopause, the chances of osteoporosis increase because of a drop in estrogen levels.

Symptoms

• Back pain, stooped posture, and loss of height because of the weakening vertebrae.
• Weakened grip strength.
• Tooth loss and receding gums because of the impact on the jawbone.
• Brittle nails, headache, shortness of breath, fatigue, and frequent fractures.

Causes

• Health conditions like endocrine disorders, blood disorders, autoimmune disorders, and gastrointestinal diseases can develop the issue.
• Aging and hormonal changes.
• Poor lifestyle with lack of physical activity.
• Less intake of vitamin D and C.

Prevention

• A balanced diet that is rich in vitamin D and C, and protein.
• Adding strength exercise or balanced workout including yoga, Zumba, jogging, dancing, or walking.
• Maintaining appropriate weight.

Cervical Cancer

As per UNICEF data, every 2 minutes, a woman loses her battle against cervical cancer. This type of cancer originated in the cervix cells, basically a lower part of the uterus. HPV is the major cause of this cancer, but the only high-risk HPV and it is responsible for 70% of the cases.

Symptoms

• At the early stage, you won’t feel any symptoms.
• Irregular bleeding, during period, after sexual activity, or menopause.
• Blood while urinating.
• Sudden weight loss or gain.
• Bowel movement changes and causes discomfort.
• Also, you need to know whether you have any warts or not, because warts are a sign of HPV, and if these are not treated on time, then it can turn into cancer.

Causes

• HPV holds the biggest place in causing cervical cancer.
• A weak immune system suppresses the body’s fight against infections.
• Using oral contraceptives for more than 10 years.
• History of STIs.

Prevention

• Routine screening includes pap and HPV tests, which help to detect cancerous cells.
• Use protection while engaging in sexual activities.
• HPV vaccination is one of the best protections against HPV and spreading of cervical cancer, according to WHO.

Postpartum Depression

It is also known as perinatal depression and happens after childbirth. Globally, 1 out of 8 women experience this issue, and in India only, 22% of mothers suffer from this. Due to hormonal fluctuation and the transformation that the mother’s body adapts, this issue arises. This is often ignored by families and even women themselves.

Symptoms

Persistent sadness along with depressive mood.

Feeling irritated, anxious, guilty, worthlessness, and loss of interest or pleasure.

Through of self-harm

Difficulty in concentrating, sleeping, and loss of appetite.

Causes

• Dramatic female hormonal disorders can impact because, after childbirth, estrogen and progesterone fluctuate a lot.
• A family history of depression increases the chances.
• Lack of sleep, changes in relationship with partner, and physical transformation always cause the issue.
• Previous negative pregnancy experience.
• Infant-related factors like difficulty in breastfeeding can lead to stress.

Treatment

• Psychotherapy like interpersonal therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy can help to change your mindset and improve social interaction.
• Medications including antidepressants, antipsychotics, and brexanolone help to treat the issue.
• Support groups can help you overcome stress.
• Self-care, nutrition-rich food, exercise, and rest can help to restore your energy and boost your mood.
• Consulting with experts like Cradle Children Hospital can help, as the experts can guide and treat with personalized plans.

Infertility Issues

When you are unable to conceive even after one year of trying, then the case comes under infertility issue. When it comes to contribution, both males and females play a 1:1 role in the case. Sometimes there are justifiable factors, but sometimes it is an unexplainable factor. According to WHO, 1 out of 6 couples experience infertility.

Symptoms

• Menstrual irregularities
• Sudden weight gain
• Reduced libido, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse.
• Hormonal imbalance

Causes

• Issues with ovulation
• Blocked fallopian tubes, pelvic inflammatory disease
• Uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and abnormalities in the uterus
• Aging
• Decreased quality of eggs.
• PCOS

Treatment

• Medications like hormonal therapy and ovulation induction help to stimulate ovulation and regulate hormonal levels.
• Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are to treat endometriosis, fibroids, and other issue.
• IUI (intrauterine insemination) is used to place sperm directly in the uterus to avoid the issue that arises during the process of natural conception.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is where a single sperm is injected directly into the eggs.
• In-vitro fertilization is where sperm and eggs are fertilized in the lab and then after creating embryos, it is injected into the uterus.

When to See a Gynecologist

Most women tend to avoid visiting a gynecologist, but with their help, they can treat the issue on time and prevent themselves from long-term issues.

Irregular periods- this can be because of hormonal issues, structural abnormalities, and uterine fibroids. With early prevention, you can minimize the risk of complications.

Unexplained fatigue or weight changes- there are several issues like thyroid, PCOS, and other reproductive issues.

Mood swings or mental health shifts- sometimes, because of hormonal fluctuation women experience this, and it can further lead to stress and depression.

Planning a pregnancy or struggling to conceive- it is important to visit a gynecologist if you are planning to extend your family. You should know about the situation, like whether you are carrying any issues and the health of your reproductive system.

Why Choose Cradle Hospital for Women’s Health?

We don’t just focus on internal issues but also focus on the mental and emotional health of women. Our team includes professionals like gynecologists, fertility experts, and endocrinologists. They have years of experience which is helping many to get their desired result.

At Cradle Children Hospital, we use advanced cutting-edge technologies that help to provide accurate information. Preventive screenings and diagnostics are crucial to maintain overall health, especially for women. Regular check-ups, screening for STIs, and medical examinations can help you to know about your health more. Currently, cervical and breast cancer become a common issue that needs early detection and diagnosis. We also focus on providing a space where you can feel safe. And to ensure that, we follow ethical rules and secure your information.

Conclusion

Women’s health concerns a becoming a big topic because the issues are growing in great numbers. From irregular periods to mental health, everything is somehow connected. It is important to note that, women’s health problems can be treated and improved only if it is diagnosed on time. Delaying in getting treatment is the worst thing that one can do to themselves. Remember, it will not only impact you but your family also. Self-awareness, regular check-ups, medical examinations, and expert guidance are very important. 

It is time to move ahead and start taking your health more seriously. Time to visit Cradle Children’s Hospital for comprehensive examination and care. For more information, feel feel to reach out to us.