Women's Health
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Introduction
Women and men share many similar health problems but women also have their
own health issues which deserve special consideration.
Today
women's health is coming to be viewed as a distinctive field.
Why should it be separate from the rest of health? The answer is
two-fold. An area devoted to women's health:
- Makes finding information about women's health matters faster;
and it
- Focuses
directly on topics that are major health
concerns for women.
Women's lives have changed over the centuries. Historically, life was
particularly difficult for most women. Aside from the numerous dangers and
diseases, women became wives and mothers often when they were just emerging from
their own childhood. Many women had a multitude of pregnancies which may or may
not have been wanted. In the past, childbirth itself was risky and not
infrequently led to the death of the mother. Most women in the past did not live
long enough to be concerned about menopause or old age.
In 1900, a
woman's life span was about 50 years. Now, in the new millennium, life
expectancy for American women is 82 years of age, and continuing to rise. Not only are
women living longer, but they also have the possibility of enjoying a better
quality of life throughout their span of years. But to do this, it is essential
that women take
charge of their own bodies and comprehend how they can maximize their
health. It is also helpful that men understand and are supportive of
the health concerns of the women.
Gynecology
is the primary branch of medical science concerned with
women's health. The word "gynecology" is a word consisting of
"gyneco," meaning "woman," and "logic," meaning "knowledge." Taken
together, it is "woman knowledge."
It is important that every woman
has access to knowledge related to the spectrum of women's health issues, not
only about her reproductive system, but about all aspects of her body (as
below):
General Health and Wellness
There is credible information available to women not only on such problems as eating
disorders, stress, alcoholism, addictions, and depression, but also on basic topics
such as good nutrition and exercise. For example, it is beneficial that a woman
maintain her optimum weight. If a woman's waist size measures more than 35
inches (89 cm), she is more likely to develop
heart disease,
high blood
pressure, and diabetes. Eating sensible meals,
eliminating after- dinner snacks, and making
physical activity a part of daily
life are significant ways to help control weight and lower the risk of a long
list of health problems.
Smoking is detrimental to a woman's
health (or to anyone else's). Unfortunately, women continue to smoke despite the known health risks. Even though the number of women smoking is declining, still about 19% of women in the U.S. were smokers in 2003. Women are smoking in spite of the well-publicized risks of lung disease including cancer, heart disease, and innumerable other health problems now linked to smoking.
Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol is also harmful to health.
Although women typically begin drinking at a later age than men and
tend to drink somewhat less, women need lower doses of alcohol before
developing alcohol-related medical problems such as cirrhosis and
hepatitis.
Women should be aware that they metabolize a number of drugs
differently than men. In some cases and for some medications, the
rate may be slower, and in other cases, faster. It is, therefore,
essential that women are well informed about the kinds and correct
dosages of drugs they are taking.
Next: Female Anatomy »
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