Getting to know your body

 

What conditions affect women only?

 

 

Women have unique health issues. Some of the health issues that affect both men and women can affect women differently.

 

Unique issues include pregnancy, menopause, and conditions of the female organs. Women can have a healthy pregnancy by getting early and regular prenatal care. They should also get recommended breast cancer, cervical cancer, and bone density screenings.

 

Women and men also have many of the same health problems, but these problems can affect women differently.

 

For example:

 

• Women are more likely to die following a heart attack than men.

• Women are more likely to show signs of depression and anxiety than men.

• Osteoarthritis affects more women than men.

• Women are more likely to have urinary tract problems.

 

Indeed, some health issues that are common to both men and women affect women differently. Although the symptoms may be similar, the effects of the condition and the care necessary can differ significantly for women. In addition, some of these conditions might affect women primarily or more severely than men.

For example, almost 1 out of 9 women in the United States are at risk for developing breast cancer during their lifetime.

 

Certain health issues and their effects on women are listed below.

 

Heart disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Although heart disease is also the leading cause of death for men in the United States, women are more likely to die following a heart attack than men are. In addition, women are more likely than men  to experience delays in emergency care and to have treatment to control their cholesterol levels.

 

Mental health

Women are more likely to show signs of depression and anxiety than men are. Depression is the most common women’s mental health problem, and more women than men are diagnosed with depression each year.

 

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Arthritis is the leading cause of physical disability in the United States.

 

Stress

According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, stress is on the rise for women. Women are more likely to report having stress, and almost 50% of all women in the survey, compared to 39% of the men, reported that their stress had increased over the past 5 years.

 

Stroke

More women than men suffer a stroke each year. Although many of the risk factors for stroke are the same for men and women, including a family history of stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, some risk factors are unique to women. 

 

Urinary Tract Health

Women are more likely than men are to experience urinary tract problems. For example, urinary incontinence affects twice as many women as men due to the way the female urinary tract is structured.