Being a woman is nothing if not challenging. From the hormones to the hair growth, from the periods to menopause, not to mention contraception, pregnancy and childbirth, or not. As if all that wasn’t enough to contend with, there are many health conditions that are more common among females, and it’s important that women are aware of these. In this post, we’ll discuss the most common health issues in women that we should know about, discuss and watch out for.

common-health-conditions-in-women

Cardiovascular disease

You might not think that cardiovascular diseases are relevant to you if you have a healthy lifestyle, but according to the British Heart Foundation, women are twice as likely to die from coronary heart disease than from breast cancer. Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels and is one of the main causes of death in the UK. These include, but are not limited to, coronary heart disease, stroke, and aortic disease, among others. 

Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and avoiding smoking and extreme stress are all good places to start. However, while cardiovascular illnesses tend to be associated with unhealthy lifestyles, they can affect anyone. Your risk of developing a cardiovascular condition increases as you get older, so it’s worth getting a female health assessment that’s designed to detect the unseen signs of early disease. 

Gynaecological cancers

Obviously, gynaecological cancers are one of the most common health issues in women. The most common gynaecological cancers are ovarian, uterine, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar. The latter three are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection that can be prevented by vaccination. Changes in the cervix, which can lead to the development of cervical cancer, can be detected by cervical screening.

There aren’t any national screening programs for the other common gynaecological cancers, but a female health assessment might be able to pick up cancer markers in your blood. You should also get any suspicious bleeding, pain, unexplained weight loss, and lumps checked out. 

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition commonly affecting women that weakens the bones, causing them to be more fragile and prone to breakage. Losing bone tissue is a normal part of ageing, but in some people, particularly women, this loss is much faster and can lead to osteoporosis.

Females tend to lose bone more rapidly after menopause and are, therefore, more at risk of developing osteoporosis as they age. Their risk also increases if they experience menopause before the age of 45 or if they have had their ovaries removed.  Osteoporosis is detected using ultrasound or X-rays. There is no cure for the condition, but it can be managed. 

female health conditions

Breast cancer 

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK, affecting around 56,000 people in the UK every year. The first sign of breast cancer is usually a lump in the breast or armpit, so it’s essential that you check your breast area regularly for any irregularities. Get to know your body and what feels normal for you so that you can act fast if there are any changes. 

In addition to the list above, according to this dental professional who does the best dental implants in Lexington, pregnant women are also prone to dental issues. Thus, they should take special care of their teeth.

Most breast lumps turn out to be benign, but it’s still important to get anything unusual checked by a professional, as early detection and treatment can mean a matter of life and death. 

Conclusion

While you can certainly reduce your risk of developing these common health issues in women by eating healthily and getting plenty of exercise, it’s always a good idea to be vigilant. You should be familiar with your own body and what’s normal for you so that any changes can be acted on as soon as possible.