Pathway to Better Health: Women's Health
How we talk about health in the modern landscape is changing for the better. These days, an increasing number of healthcare providers and patients are transitioning to talking about health in a more holistic, all-encompassing manner that addresses the needs of people on a larger scale. While we still have a way, we’re on the right path. Women’s health is an important element to consider in the conversation of transformative healthcare. The health issues women face are not only unique to women; the reality is that many of these concerns affect both men and women equally. Still, there are certain health conditions that affect women differently than men.
What is Women's Health?
The differentiation between women’s health and men’s health or other forms of general health is that these are the conditions that either only affects women or affect them in a way that merits distinction. Some of the most common women’s health concerns include:
- Breast Cancer. Although breast cancer does not only affect women, the rate at which women are diagnosed with breast cancer is significantly higher than that of men. Current incidence rates indicate that 12.9% of women born in the U.S. will develop breast cancer at some point during their lives.
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). About ¾ of all childbearing-aged women experience either PMS or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a more severe form of PMS.
- Menopause. The age at which women experience menopause ranges from 45 to 55, the duration of which can last 7 years. Lifestyle factors, genetics, race, ethnicity, and several other components may impact the severity to which women experience menopausal symptoms.
- Ovarian and Cervical Cancer. Ovarian and Cervical Cancer. According to the CDC, ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer in the United States.
- Pregnancy Issues. These include but are not limited to infertility, gestational diabetes, postpartum depression, and more.
- Menstruation Issues. These include but are not limited to amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation) and dysmenorrhea (excessively painful menstrual periods).
- Osteoporosis. Although men may also experience osteoporosis, women have a significantly higher risk of developing the condition due to the hormonal changes that occur during menopause, which directly impact bone density.
What are the Factors that Impact Women’s Health?
Sleep, exercise/movement, nutrition, stress management, and relationships/community are all factors that contribute to women’s health. These 5 areas also happen to be known as the 5 pillars of health, on which the 5 Functions of Health are based. The 5 Functions of Health are:
While both men and women share many of the same hormones, the ratios in which they occur in women in comparison to other hormones and subsequently in men in relation to other hormones differ. This is due to the main functions of the female reproductive system vs. the male reproductive system.
When we talk about female reproductive hormones, the three primary hormones of which to take note include:
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Testosterone
Keeping these hormone levels in check is often the first part of addressing women’s health but there is so much more to consider. That’s where the PLMC comes in.
Here at the PLMC, we prioritize the overall wellness of our patients above all else. We see health as more than the absence of disease and therefore make it our mission to assist all patients in their journey toward optimal wellness. People who come to the PLMC with women’s health concerns find that they are met with a highly individualized approach complete with one-on-one assessments, consultations, tests, and questionnaires. We not only evaluate the concerns our patients come in with, but also look at their entire lifestyles.
By pairing the right nutritional supplements, exercise programs, mind-body-spirit wellness practices, and food & nutrition plans, we can help you get on the road to better female reproductive health. Find out more when you schedule a consultation with us today.
