Everyone needs to take care of their health – men and women alike. While anyone can develop medical problems, the truth is that sex or biological makeup impacts your predisposition to specific health concerns. Health needs for men and women differ, which is why Dr. Sudha Challa specifically addresses the needs of women. Like men, women have unique health needs that require special care. However, some health concerns only affect women. The following information explores different women’s health topics.

Uterine fibroids

Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that mainly develop during child-bearing years and are not associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer. These growths range from small, which the human eye can’t detect, to large tumors that distort the uterus. Most women with uterine fibroids wouldn’t know they have these growths not until the doctor accidentally examines them during a pelvic exam. If fibroids cause symptoms, you may experience frequent urination, heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, constipation, and prolonged menstrual bleeding.

Endometriosis

It is a painful gynecological disorder in which endometrial-like tissue grows outside your uterus on your fallopian tubes, ovaries, and tissue lining the pelvis. The endometrial tissue thickens with each menstrual cycle, so does the endometrial-like tissue. However, unlike the endometrial tissue, which breaks down, sheds, and exits your body through the vagina, the endometrial-like tissue gets trapped in the body.

Most women with endometriosis experience pain that worsens with menstrual bleeding. It may also result in fertility problems, but the good news is that different effective treatments are available. The exact cause of endometriosis remains unknown, but some of the possible explanations for this condition include retrograde menstruation, embryonic cell transformation, peritoneal cells, immune system disorder, and surgical scar implantation.

Birth control

Birth control methods are an option for women who are sexually active but don’t want to have a baby. They occur in two different forms, which include hormonal and non-hormonal. Hormonal contraceptives include vaginal rings, combined oral contraceptives, patches, and intrauterine devices, while non-hormonal contraceptives include spermicides, cervical cap, diaphragm, male and female condoms, sponge, and tubal ligation.

Deciding the one that best suits you might be challenging, and here is when you may need professional help. As you select a form of contraceptive, you may look at the possible side effects, effectiveness, and convenience. For example, if you can’t commit to taking pills every day, oral contraceptives may not be suitable for you.

Menopause

Menopause is that period that marks the end of your menstrual cycle, and it officially occurs when you have missed your periods for at least a year. Although it is a natural biological process, it often results in undesirable symptoms such as night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, hot flashes, and weight gain.

Menopause occurs due to the natural decline in producing reproductive hormones in your body. However, it can develop due to other reasons such as primary ovarian insufficiency, surgical removal of the ovaries, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

If you have any questions or need to understand how you can benefit from women’s health, book an appointment with your specialist at Lenox Medical Clinic.