Women's Health

Women’s health covers a broad list of issues and conditions experienced solely by women, such as pregnancy and menopause, as well as those that affect more women than men, including breast cancer, urinary tract infections, and osteoporosis. Women’s health also covers mental health concerns, such as anorexia nervosa and postpartum depression.

Symptoms of women’s health conditions

The signs and symptoms of women’s health conditions vary considerably, depending on the part of the body involved. For example, breast cancer usually has no symptoms. It may be discovered by a woman doing a breast self-examination or it may be detected by a screening mammogram. Ovarian cancer has no symptoms in the early stages, but later on, it can cause abdominal bloating, a frequent need to urinate, and changes in bowel function, such as constipation. Other conditions, like vaginitis, can cause itching and light vaginal bleeding. 

Causes of women’s health conditions

As with the signs and symptoms of women’s health conditions, their causes are varied. In many cases, the cause may be unknown. Some are obvious: gestational diabetes is caused by pregnancy; urinary tract infections are caused by a bacterial infection; and heart disease may be caused by atherosclerosis. But many women’s conditions do not have a known cause, such as interstitial cystitis (painful bladder) or uterine fibroids.

Treatment and prevention of women’s health issues

Women who have some of the same conditions or diseases as men often need to be treated differently. For example, while men and women have many of the same risk factors for having a stroke, some women have additional factors, such as taking birth control pills or being pregnant. By being aware of these individual risk factors, you can work with your provider to take steps and reduce your chances of having a stroke. 

Women may have different signs and symptoms of a heart attack than men. Heart attack symptoms in women often involve nausea and dizziness instead of the classic chest pain or pain down the left arm that men experience.. 

By being proactive and staying aware of the conditions, issues and risk factors that are unique to women, both doctors and female patients can work together to find the best care — and keep you in your best health.