Women’s health varies significantly from men’s health. As a woman, your body will start going through numerous changes once you get to puberty, and they keep coming even as you navigate your reproductive years and into menopause. Because of this, your medical needs will vary significantly from those of a man. Women will typically visit a doctor more frequently than men. However, not all doctors can address your unique medical needs. It would help if you had a Capital Women’s Care specialist who understands the specific conditions you have to deal with and some of the most effective solutions. This article will look at some of the unique conditions that affect women and require the attention of a specialist.
Table of Contents
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is difficult to diagnose as it often masquerades as other conditions. Your doctor will use imaging tests like an ultrasound or MRI to detect the presence of endometrial tissue developing outside your uterus. The most common symptom is pelvic pain which you may feel near your ovaries, lower back, and hip areas. If you suffer from chronic pelvic pain, an ob-gyn specialist who is familiar with endometriosis will be able to help you.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that damages healthy cells, tissues, and organs. It’s a chronic condition that can be managed. Lupus symptoms include difficulty breathing, sunburn-like rashes, fatigue, chest pain, swelling of joints or face, and hair loss. An ob-gyn specialist can help manage the condition through immunosuppressive drugs, pain medication, anti-malarial drugs, and even blood transfusions when necessary.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection to your female reproductive organs which may cause infertility in extreme cases. PID occurs in women who have had unprotected sex with a partner who has a sexually transmitted disease. Symptoms to look out for include vaginal discharge, fever, and pain in your lower abdomen or pelvis. If you experience any of these symptoms, see a gynecologist as soon as possible to prevent further complications.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a severe disease that affects your reproductive system. Symptoms of ovarian cancer include pain in the pelvic area, bloating, frequent urination, and loss of appetite. An ob-gyn specialist immediately checks for abnormal growth in your ovaries through an ultrasound or CT scan then recommends further tests to confirm the diagnosis. Hence, treatment immediately begins when required.
Menopause
Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation in women. It occurs when the female hormones estrogen and progesterone decrease to zero, which leads to menstruation ceasing. Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, vaginal dryness, trouble concentrating, among other things. Specialist ob-gyms can treat these symptoms using hormone replacement therapy and non-hormonal medications to reduce the associated discomforts.
To summarize, women have a vastly different anatomy from men; hence, they need specialized care from a professional who understands their conditions. Common conditions affecting women include endometriosis, ovarian cancer, and pelvic inflammatory disease. While lupus affects both genders, it is more common in young women. Menopause is not a disease, but you may have trouble dealing with the symptoms, which is why it needs specialized care.