Introduction
Women's health is defined as the health of women, which varies a lot from that of men in many unique ways. Women's health is an example of population health, where health is determined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "a state of entire physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of either infirmity or disease." Just often treated as women's reproductive health, larger groups argue for a broader definition of the women's overall health, which can be expressed better as "The health of women". These types of differences are further exacerbated in the developing countries where women, whose health includes their experiences and risks, are further disadvantaged.
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Women are much likely susceptible to disease than men and are quite different from men and in biological terms. There are specific health issues that are unique to them. These health issues primarily involve complications during abnormal menstruation, pregnancy, and other diseases related to particular female organs such as breasts, ovaries, and others.
A health initiative log of women can be represented below.
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Many other diseases are similar in both genders, but they affect differently for women. For suppose, heart diseases affect women more severely than men, as do Osteoarthritis and sexually transmitted infections, to name a few.
Types of Women's Health Issues
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Women are required to be more careful and aware of their health, and it's particular issues. Let us look at some significant health problems that are faced by women nowadays.
1. Cancer in Women
Studies say that there are two forms of cancer. They are Cervical cancer and Breast cancer, which are responsible for even the death of women about a million every year, especially in third world countries where the scope of early detection and awareness is shallow, and the state of women's health care is dismal. Both cancers could be either cured or stalled if they are detected at their early stages.
Different factors could lead to breast cancer. It could be by abnormal menstruation, genes, obesity, radiation, medication, and breast biopsy.
2. Depression in Women
Many pieces of research have revealed that women are more prone to depression and other psychological disorders than men. One such recent survey has also revealed that every year, around 12 million women are hit by the depression, which is almost double the number of men suffering from a similar ailment. The suicide rate in women is significantly more than men by depression and stress.
These types of depression caused in the women could be detected by the changes in their hormonal levels, during and after pregnancy, especially and also menopause. Other reasons are medication, heart diseases, marital problems, other fatal diseases, drugs, other substance abuse, work pressure, and much more.
3. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Similar to many other diseases, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) also affect women more severely and frequently than men. There are various sexually transmitted diseases, among which a few are potentially fatal. HIV+ or AIDS is the most common and deadly STDs in women. Other sexually transmitted infections and diseases include Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, and Herpes. The symptoms and treatment for all these diseases are quite different, but if identified in the early stage, they could be stalled or cured.
A healthy woman is productive, and if so, it is a good thing for society. Providing proper health care and awareness to them is of utmost importance so that unnecessary, unhealthy, and death lives could be prevented.
Other Women Issues
In addition to these, there can be some other women's health issues that can be explained below.
Infertility
In the United States region, infertility affects 1.5 million couples. Many of the couples seek assisted reproductive technology (ART) for infertility. In 2010, in the United States, 147,260 IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) procedures were carried out, resulting in 47,090 live births. In 2013 also, these numbers had increased to 160,521 and 53,252. However, about half of IVF pregnancies result in multiple-birth deliveries, which are associated with an increase in both the mother and infant mortality and morbidity. The causes behind this include premature birth, increased maternal blood pressure, and low birth weight. Furthermore, more women are waiting longer to conceive and seeking ART.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is a non-reproductive health issue and the leading cause of death (30%) and chronic disease amongst women in the United States, affecting nearly 40%. The onset happens at a later age in women than in men. For example, the incidence of stroke in women under 80 is less than that in men but higher in those aged over 80. The overall lifetime risk of stroke in women exceeds that of men. The risk of cardiovascular disease among smokers and diabetes is also higher in women than in men. Many cardiovascular aspect diseases vary between women and men, including prevalence, risk factors, symptoms, physiology, response to intervention, and outcome.
FAQs on Women's Health
1. Explain the mental health issue of Women?
Ans. Almost nearly 25% of women will experience mental health issues over their lifetime. Women are at higher risk compared to men from depression, anxiety, and other psychosomatic complaints. Depression is the leading disease burden globally. In the United States, women have depression, often twice as men. The economic costs of depression every year in American women are estimated to be $20 billion.
The depression risks in women have been linked to changing the hormonal environment that women experience, including menstruation, puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Also, women metabolise drugs used to treat depression differently to men. Suicide rates are less in women compared to men (<1% vs. 2.4%) but are a leading cause of death for women below the age of 60. The Women's Mental Health Taskforce in the United Kingdom was formed to address differences in mental health experiences and needs between men and women.
2. What are the health problems faced by working Women?
Ans. There are many risks around exhaustion and poorer mental health for working women. Women choose their jobs based on what it adds to their lives and how much it allows them to exhibit their skill sets.
However, women who are not heterosexual, women with disabilities, and women of colour experience a great anguish deal in the form of microaggressions and lack of opportunity to progress.
Working women, who are mothers, are experiencing much more unpaid labour/care than men, which still maintains a vast number of hours, which does not change for sole breadwinners.
