Healthcare is an essential tool for living a healthy, happy life. While there are many similarities to men’s and women’s health, there are also some key differences in good healthcare, such as reproductive healthcare. Here are four things you should know about women’s health.
1. Contraception Has Several Uses
Most people know that the main use of contraception is to prevent pregnancy, but there are actually several other reasons you should be using contraception, whether you’re sexually active or not. Condoms and dental dams, for example, help prevent STI transmission. Plan B emergency contraception is a useful contraceptive measure you can take if you recently had unprotected sex or if you’re worried another method of birth control, such as a condom, didn’t work correctly. Hormonal birth control may be prescribed to treat or manage the symptoms of endometriosis, PCOS and other female reproductive conditions.
2. Reproductive Health Should Be A Priority
Even if you’re not sexually active, you should make your reproductive health a priority. Teenagers should be taught about the female reproductive cycle and safe sex. You should start seeing a gynecologist for annual checkups either when you turn twenty-one or when you become sexually active. During gynecological exams, your doctor will screen you for various cancers, other reproductive conditions or concerns and STIs, if you’re sexually active. If you notice any changes to your menstrual cycle, make sure you let your gynecologist know.
3. Certain Supplements Can Be Useful
It’s common for many people to take supplements for various reasons. You should always ask your doctor before you begin taking any supplements. He or she can check whether they may interact poorly with any medications you’re taking and can order blood tests to check whether supplementation is actually necessary. Some supplements that are commonly taken by women include Vitamin D, calcium and magnesium for bone health, folic acid and iron for energy and red blood cell health and fish oil for heart health.
4. Women Are At Higher Risk For Certain Conditions
There are many conditions and diseases that women are statistically at higher risk for, including autoimmune diseases, breast cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease and depression. You need to be aware of these conditions in your family history, as well as the signs of these conditions in general so you know what to look out for. If you notice any changes to your feelings of wellbeing or your body, or if you notice potential symptoms, you should contact your doctor. If you’re concerned you may develop certain conditions or know you have a family history, talk to your doctor about useful preventive measures or more frequent examinations, such as starting to get mammograms earlier in life if you have a family history of breast cancer.
Always talk to your doctor about tests you may need, medications or supplements you may need to take, specialist referrals and what preventive measures you can take against conditions and diseases you may be most at risk for based on your personal and family history.