Common Reproductive Health Concerns Among Women
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Statistics by the Office of Women’s Health indicate that 6.1million American women experience challenges in getting pregnant. Additionally, they encounter diverse problems which hinder their ability to carry a pregnancy to full term. The group believes common reproductive health conditions are to blame for this difficulty. For more details on what these are, see the three health conditions discussed below.
Endometriosis
10% of the American female population (ages 15 – 44 years) have this painful condition. This reproductive disorder occurs when the endometrial lining supposed to grow within the uterus develops in other parts of the abdominal cavity. It can extend to the bowels, the bladder, or even to the ovaries. Also regarded as ‘misplaced uterine tissue,’ this abnormal development leads to incredible pain, heavy periods, and infertility.
Although medical research says a small percentage of women experience no pain, the majority will need analgesics to reduce the terrible aches. Furthermore, women reproductive health specialists confirmed that some women have no knowledge of this condition in their bodies until they try getting pregnant. Although the disease is not curable, there are treatment options to manage it.
Uterine fibroids
According to the World Health Organization, up to 80% of women will develop uterine fibroids at some point. This ranges from age 15 up to 50. The tricky thing with fibroid growth is that not every woman who has it experiences symptoms. Some fibroid tumors can remain undetected for years until routine health checks pick them up on a scan. Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow within the uterus or outside of it, within the abdominal cavity. It is usually characterized by painful periods, heavy bleeding, abdominal fullness, excessive urination, etc. Depending on the location of the tumor, successful conception can be a problem.
Indeed, there are several treatment options for uterine fibroids. However, depending on the severity of your condition, a specialist will determine which treatment type should be used. One example is fibroid embolization which utilizes the technique of starving blood supply to the tumor. After treatment, the fibroid(s) will shrink over time.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Just like males, women have testosterone in their bodies but only in small quantities. A female will have testosterone levels of 15 to 70 nanograms per deciliter of blood in normal situations. However, women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome have higher androgens (testosterone) levels which cause undesirable effects. Androgens are responsible for characteristic male traits like facial hair, deep voice, hairy bodies, and other bodily features.
In women with this condition, the cyst-like formations on the ovaries produce excessive amounts of this male hormone. Ultimately, this becomes a significant problem when women are ready to get pregnant. Science has proven that obese women are more at risk of developing PCOS.
Furthermore, PCOS increases a woman’s chances of developing chronic conditions like insulin resistance (diabetes) and heart disease. Additionally, the condition causes baldness, acne, oily skin, patches of hyper-pigmented skin, etc. This is why as a woman, it is vital to visit the physician to run yearly routine checks to avoid health surprises or begin early treatment.
*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.
