Darrick Robles Women are ill differently than men – and some symptoms and diseases are more common among them. dr Elisabeth Rosen, Med-Healths’s OB/GYN, shares the health issues every woman should know about.
Many diseases in women are difficult to diagnose. An example is endometriosis, which can cause permanent damage to organs and affects 10 to 15 percent of all women of reproductive age. On average, women are only diagnosed 7.5 years after the first symptoms appear.
The reasons probably lie in the unequal treatment of the sexes in the healthcare sector. “For years, too little attention has been paid to women’s health . This means women may have to wait longer to be diagnosed. Also, until recently, clinical trials were predominantly led by men,” explains Dr. Elisabeth Rosen, specialist in gynecology and obstetrics at Med-Healths.
“Health should always come first. You only have one body, so take good care of it. You should always discuss any new symptoms that worry you with a doctor.”
Here are 10 important symptoms you should definitely not ignore.
1. Breast changes
Regular breast self-examination plays an important role in detecting breast cancer. Today it is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer.
“Regular breast palpation is very important to detect changes,” said Dr. roses. “Every woman should do a self-examination of her breasts once a month at the same time in her cycle. This self-examination can be life-saving.”
A breast lump is the most obvious (and most common) sign of breast cancer. Good to know: Most breast lumps are benign. You should pay attention to these changes in the breast:
- Have the shape and size changed?
- Do you feel a lump or swelling in your armpit?
- Is there a secretion from the nipples?
- Does the skin show any unusual swellings or dents?
- Is a nipple retracted?
- Is the skin red?
- Do you notice a rash?
If you notice any changes, you should seek medical advice.
2. Chest pain
Chest pain can indicate a serious illness. If this pain comes on suddenly and doesn’t go away, it can even be a sign of a heart attack.
“The most common symptoms of a heart attack in women include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, listlessness, and pain radiating to the arms, back, jaw, and neck. Other signs could be a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the chest,” explains Dr. roses. “If you suddenly develop severe chest pain, you should call an ambulance immediately.”
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in women worldwide. Also, women are less likely to see a doctor about chest pain and tend to brush the symptoms aside. The risk of misdiagnosing heart attacks is 50 percent higher in women than in men.
according to dr Roses can also indicate chest pain of a pulmonary embolism. This affects women more often than men and needs immediate medical attention as it can be life-threatening.
3. Heavy or irregular periods
The menstrual cycle is influenced by many factors. These include stress , weight loss and excessive exercise. However, if your periods are heavier than usual or irregular , you should definitely discuss this with your gynecologist.
“Unusual bleeding should be checked out by a doctor. The cause could be a serious illness that needs treatment. Heavy menstrual bleeding is not only uncomfortable, it can cause anemia and indicate fibroids, polyps or cervical cancer,” says Dr. roses.
“Irregular bleeding is usually related to menstrual cycle disorders. But it could also be caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome, a sexually transmitted disease, ovarian cysts, benign growths in the uterus or cervical lining, cervical or uterine cancer.”
dr Rosen recommends seeing a doctor right away if bleeding occurs after menopause .
4. Bloated stomach
An occasional bloat is nothing to worry about. But it’s important to know that a bloated stomach can be a symptom of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage. The risk factors and symptoms are generally poorly understood, although it is one of the most common gynecological cancers.
The following symptoms can indicate ovarian cancer:
- Increased abdominal circumference
- Irregular bleeding (off days)
- gas
- bloating
- General tiredness and exhaustion
Common causes of bloated stomach include irritable bowel syndrome , food intolerance , and constipation .
5. Depression
Women suffer from depression more often than men. The most important symptoms include a constantly depressed mood, irritability, lack of drive and concentration and sleep disorders.
“ Depression is a serious mental illness that needs to be treated. Postpartum depression is often underdiagnosed. Many women are reluctant to seek help. This is also due to the fact that the expectations of new mothers are often very high,” says Dr. roses.
6. Unusual discharge
Discharge is completely normal and occurs in most women. It keeps the vagina moist and protects it from infection. according to dr Roses healthy discharge is odorless and either clear or white. The amount and consistency of discharge often changes throughout the menstrual cycle.
“If you notice changes in your discharge , you should talk to your gynecologist about it,” says Dr. roses. “Unusual discharge could be a sign of an infection.” Common infections like vaginal thrush can often be treated with over-the-counter medications.
“Alternated discharge could also be a symptom of a sexually transmitted disease,” e.g. B. gonorrhea or chlamydia . If left untreated, sexually transmitted infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. This can damage the reproductive organs and sometimes lead to infertility.
“You shouldn’t ignore the symptoms. Because if an infection is ruled out, a pathological discharge could also be a sign of uterine cancer,” explains Dr. roses.
7. Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is very common: 1 in 6 women suffers from it repeatedly. “Common causes of abdominal pain are ovulation, endometriosis, urinary tract infections or pelvic inflammatory disease. When you’re pregnant, pelvic pain can be caused by an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or preterm labor.
Other causes include ovarian cysts, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and ovarian cancer,” said Dr. roses. “If you are suffering from sudden, severe and long-lasting abdominal pain, you should see a doctor.”
8. Pain during sex
Almost 3 out of 4 women have experienced pain during sex at some point in their lives. “Pain during sexual intercourse is not normal, but many women experience it from a young age. They often do not seek medical advice out of shame,” reports Dr. roses.
Pain during sex can have different reasons:
- endometriosis
- vaginal dryness
- Atrophic vaginitis (thinning and drying of the vaginal wall, usually after menopause)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- ovarian cysts
- fibroids
- infections
- Vulvodynia (pain in the vulva area)
- Vaginismus (vaginal spasm)
“Talk to your gynecologist about the symptoms to find out what’s causing your pain,” advises Dr. roses.
9. Severe headache
The main symptom of a migraine is a one- sided, severe headache . Women are affected three times as often as men. according to dr According to Rosen, this is due to fluctuating estrogen levels. For many women, migraines occur regularly at the same time in the menstrual cycle or during perimenopause.
“Other migraine symptoms include nausea , blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light. Occasionally, it can lead to sweating, diarrhea and concentration problems. In very severe cases, the nervous system is affected – speech disorders, dizziness and fainting can occur. You should have these symptoms checked to rule out serious illnesses like a tumor, ” explains Dr. roses.
10. Constant tiredness
Being tired from time to time is perfectly normal. However, constant tiredness can be a sign of illness. dr According to Rosen, your fatigue can be due to many different reasons, including:
- iron deficiency
- Vitamin D Deficiency
- Depression
- heart diseases
- sleep disorders
“Fatigue is a major symptom of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), an autoimmune disease that primarily affects women. Symptoms include tiredness, feeling cold, lack of focus, depression, dry skin, brittle hair and nails, constipation, weight gain, low blood pressure, muscle pain and weakness. You should have these symptoms checked out by a doctor.”
For more reliable information, visit our Diseases and Symptoms page . You can also book an appointment for a video consultation at any time to clarify your symptoms medically.
