International Women’s Day: women's health and overlooked challenges

Source: Women INC & VU 

1. Menstrual issues and contraception: from taboo to recognition

Despite having a major impact on women's health and well-being, many areas of reproductive health, including menstrual issues and contraception, continue to be taboo. In some countries, women have limited access to menstrual products or contraceptives. Western countries provide access to contraception, but here too, menstrual problems are often trivialised. 

Do you suffer from menstrual problems?

Take, for instance, endometriosis, a condition in which endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. Common symptoms of endometriosis include:  

• Severe pelvic or period pain  
• Fertility issues 
• Chronic fatigue and inflammation 

Although the condition affects 1 in 10 women worldwide, the average time to get a diagnosis is between 7 and 10 years. The cause of this extensive delay is partly rooted in the fact that period pain is often accepted as normal. 

Based in the Netherlands, WOMEN Inc. calls for the establishment of a National Strategy for Women's Health as a means to achieve structural improvements in healthcare. A cost-benefit analysis has shown that if a more targeted approach were to be implemented, € 7.6 billion in cost savings could be achieved by focussing on prevention and better treatment of women-specific health issues.  

This is important: a better understanding of menstruation and knowledge of available contraceptive methods could significantly improve healthcare for women.

2. Cardiovascular disease: leading cause of death in women

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women often goes undiagnosed. Healthcare providers may not recognise heart or vascular problems in women because women's symptoms are different from men's symptoms.  

Common symptoms of CVD in women: 

• Fatigue 
• Shortness of breath 
• Nausea 
• Back, jaw or upper stomach pain 

What’s more, studies have associated factors such as early onset menopause and menstrual disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with a higher risk of CVD. This means that signals of hormonal imbalances serve as an early indicator of cardiovascular risk. Genetic factors and an unfavourable lifestyle may also increase the risk of CVD. 

Awareness is key. Do you recognise these symptoms? If in doubt, ask your doctor.  

3. Heart health and

During and after menopause, the production of oestrogen decreases. Oestrogen improves vascular function and has a protective effect on the heart. Declining oestrogen levels can increase your risk for: 

• High blood pressure 
• High cholesterol 
• Arteriosclerosis 

Women who enter menopause before the age of 40 have an almost 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): risks and benefits

The impact of menopause is often underestimated in the medical world. There are still negative perceptions and misconceptions surrounding HRT, partly due to early research that overestimated the risks. This has resulted in many women suffering needlessly with menopause symptoms from fear of using HRT. 

Research shows that certain types of HRT raise risks of heart disease and blood clots. According to MedlinePlus, in some women HRT can lead to: 

• Blood clots 
• Heart attack 
• Stroke 
• Breast and endometrial cancer 

However, these risks will vary depending on the type of HRT and the user’s medical history. 

A study published in the British Medical Journal involving 919,000 women in Sweden found that: 

Oral combined HRT containing both oestrogen and progestogen was associated with a lower risk of endometrial cancer compared to oestrogen-only HRT. Women using oral combined HRT had a slightly higher risk of heart disease and venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared to non-users. 

Transdermal treatments (HRT administered via skin patches, creams or gels) did not show an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. As with any treatment, HRT carries risks, although they are minimal. The risks are higher for women who smoke and have other cardiovascular risk factors.  

See your doctor and discuss the potential risks and benefits of HRT in your situation. 

Are you going through menopause and suffering from sudden or unusual symptoms? Discuss your options with a specialist. 

4. Weight and metabolism: hormonal differences

Metabolism is regulated differently in males and females, partly due to hormonal fluctuations. Lower levels of oestrogen after menopause may influence: 

• Fat distribution: more fat storage, especially around the midsection. 
• Metabolism: slower metabolism, making weight loss harder. 
• Bone health: higher risk of osteoporosis due to a decrease in bone density. 
• Autoimmune diseases: women are more at risk of autoimmune disease, possibly due to hormonal, environmental and genetic factors. 

Women lose weight differently than men

Most weight loss strategies are not tailored specifically to women. Dietary guidelines and studies are often modelled on male-based research. Understanding gender differences in responses to diet and exercise may provide a more useful approach. 

Sustainable approach to a healthy metabolism: 

• Strength training helps maintain muscle mass and stimulate metabolism 
• A balanced diet with plenty of protein and healthy fats 
• Adequate amounts of calcium and Vitamin D to support bone health 

What to avoid as a woman:

Stop crash dieting and cutting calories too low as it will give the opposite result that you are looking for: 

• The body enters ‘survival mode’: any extra energy is stored as fat.  
• Loss of muscle mass: metabolism slows down even more. 

Want to know how to support your metabolism and bone health? Doctoronline can help with advice and treatments. 

What can Doctoronline do for you?

Doctoronline provides comprehensive support and personalised care, specifically for women. Whether it’s menopause, menstrual health or metabolism, there are treatments to suit your unique needs. 

We offer treatments and advice tailored to your needs

How much do you know about women’s health? Test your knowledge! Take our quiz and discover surprising facts about women’s health! 

Let’s work together to build a healthier future for women worldwide. Awareness is the first step to change.