{"id":51000,"date":"2022-05-02T09:30:01","date_gmt":"2022-05-02T13:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=51000"},"modified":"2022-05-04T14:45:16","modified_gmt":"2022-05-04T18:45:16","slug":"most-common-female-health-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/most-common-female-health-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"The most common health issues for women at every age"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although men and women are faced with many of the same health issues throughout their lives, some health concerns are unique to women. Educating yourself about what the most common women\u2019s health issues are\u2014and how they change over the course of a woman’s lifetime\u2014can be empowering. Moreover, understanding your distinctive health needs is an important key to preventing disease, staying well, and thriving.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 8 most common female health problems<\/span><\/h2>\n

The health problems that women experience vary based on their age, their genetics, and their lifestyles. Some health issues, while they can occur for both women and men, affect women more commonly or severely than men, <\/span>including<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Alcohol abuse<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Heart disease<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Mental health issues<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Osteoarthritis<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Stress<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Stroke<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Urinary tract health<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What are common diseases that only affect females?<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Some of the most common diseases in women are ones that men can also get, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. But some diseases are only common in women. These are diseases that involve female organs, such as the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and vagina<\/span>.<\/span> These <\/span>organs<\/span><\/a> can develop cysts, fibroids, or cancers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Because of these organs\u2019 close proximity to the gastrointestinal system,<\/span> Teresa Yanchak, MD<\/span><\/a>, a gastroenterologist with <\/span>Associates in Gastroenterology<\/span><\/a> in Colorado Springs, says that she sees women-specific digestive issues in her practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cThere are multiple GI issues that occur more commonly in women,\u201d Dr. Yanchak says. \u201cThese include irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn\u2019s disease), gallstones, autoimmune liver disease, celiac disease, and pelvic floor dysfunction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Besides physical health, certain mental health conditions are more common in women. Women more likely than men to experience depression and anxiety, and<\/span> suicide<\/span><\/a> is a leading cause of death for women under age 60. Additionally, violence and domestic abuse are disproportionally inflicted on women:<\/span> 1 in 3 women<\/span><\/a> will experience physical or sexual abuse by the time they are 50.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Women\u2019s health conditions at every age<\/span><\/h2>\n

    When you know what to watch out for at every age, it can help you stay healthier and be aware of issues before they become serious.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What age do health problems start for women?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Health issues can crop up at any time during a woman\u2019s life. Many sexual and reproductive health issues occur between the ages of <\/span>15 and 44<\/span><\/a>. But, serious conditions such as cancer or heart disease are more likely to develop in midlife, from <\/span>age 50 on<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Health problems in teens<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Thankfully, major health problems are rare in teen girls. The most common complaints from teens involve menstruation, says<\/span> Luis Murrain<\/span><\/a>, DO, reproductive endocrinologist, OB-GYN, co-founder and partner physician at<\/span> Dreams Fertility<\/span><\/a>. \u201cAs girls enter the teenage years, things such as endometriosis and dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cycles) may present,\u201d Dr. Murrain explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

    According to the<\/span> Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP)<\/span><\/a>, 50%-75% of teen girls report painful periods (dysmenorrhea), which can include cramps, back pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating. Teen girls also often report irregular periods. Menstrual cramps are treated with pain relief medication, including <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>naproxen<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>ketoprofen<\/span><\/a>. Birth control pills are prescribed to effectively decrease menstrual cramps, for contraception, and to regulate periods.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Health problems in 20s<\/span><\/h3>\n

    As women become more sexually active in their 20s, sexual health, and STIs are top health concerns. In fact,<\/span> according to the CDC<\/span><\/a>, half of all reported STIs are from 15- to 24-year-olds. \u201cIn the 20s, health issues such as sexually transmitted infections and pelvic inflammatory disease become an issue, which can have a lasting effect on a woman\u2019s fertility,\u201d <\/span>Dr. Murrain says.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Prevention is key when it comes to<\/span> STIs<\/span><\/a>. Using condoms during sexual contact reduces your risk of contracting an STI. STIs caused by bacteria or parasites can be treated with antibiotics, but there is no cure for STIs that stem from a virus. Still, viral STIs, like genital herpes, can be managed with chronic medication reducing symptoms and transmission to future sexual partners. There are effective and safe vaccines given to pediatric patients to decrease hepatitis B and HPV infections for a lifetime.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Health problems at 30<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Many health problems facing women in their 30s involve fertility, and complications resulting from pregnancy and childbirth. The<\/span> CDC<\/span><\/a> estimates that 1 in 5 women between the ages of 30 to 39 will have trouble conceiving, and fertility declines starting at age 30 until <\/span>age 45<\/span><\/a> or so. Additionally, conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth\u2014including<\/span> gestational diabetes and preeclampsia<\/span><\/a>\u2014can cause significant issues and can lead to death, if not treated promptly.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Staying healthy during your childbearing years<\/span> involves<\/span><\/a> eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, managing your stress, moderating your alcohol intake, and getting enough sleep. You should also take care to keep up with your yearly gynecological and general health exams. Women in their 30s should be doing monthly breast exams and monthly checks for abnormal moles or other skin changes.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Health problems in 40s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Women\u2019s health after 40 centers includes symptoms of<\/span> perimenopause<\/span><\/a>, which is when your ovaries start releasing fewer eggs, your level of progesterone and estrogen decrease, and menstrual periods become irregular. Perimenopause can last two to 10 years: menopause is when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 months.<\/span><\/p>\n

    T<\/span>he decrease in ovarian hormones causes menstrual irregularities, hot flashes, vaginal dryness<\/a>, sleep disturbance, pain with intercourse, infertility, weight gain, and moodiness. During this time, health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, obesity, and infertility may also become more prominent, says Dr. Murrain.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Staying healthy and vibrant during your 40s<\/span> involves<\/span><\/a> eating well-balanced meals, and staying fit. Adding strength training to your fitness routine can keep your bones and muscles strong, help in weight management, and protect against osteoporosis. It\u2019s vital that you complete your health screenings, including<\/span> breast cancer<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> colon cancer<\/span><\/a> screenings.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Female health problems after 50, and beyond<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    As women age, they face the gynecological symptoms that come with menopause, which may include <\/span>urinary incontinence, vaginal atrophy and dryness, and pain with intercourse (dyspareunia), explains Dr. Murrain. Women also encounter health issues such as cancer, osteoporosis, and diabetes. Cancer is the<\/span> leading cause of death<\/span><\/a> of women older than 45, followed by heart disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle<\/span> as you age<\/span><\/a> can help you live a longer and more enjoyable life. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, and eat a diet rich with fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Keeping up with immunizations, doctor\u2019s visits, and health screenings, is imperative as you age.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What are the most significant barriers to women\u2019s health?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Women in the U.S. have <\/span>poorer health outcomes<\/span><\/a> when compared to women in other high-income countries. Additionally, there are huge disparities in healthcare for women of different socioeconomic, educational, and racial backgrounds. According to a study by the <\/span>Commonwealth Fund<\/span><\/a>, there are a number of factors responsible for this including:<\/span><\/p>\n