Women’s Health Care Specialist Q&A

Women’s bodies undergo significant changes throughout their lives, resulting in unique health concerns for each age and life stage. Women are comparatively more exposed and vulnerable to problems concerning mental health such as stress, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders during physiological changes. In maturity, sexual health issues such as fertility, preventing STDs, and safe birth control methods become more important. Some women develop health problems after menopause as a result of the hormonal changes their bodies go through. Fortunately, most diseases that afflict women are treatable if diagnosed early enough.

Throughout their adult lives, women are more prone than men to illnesses and diseases such as:

Osteoporosis, Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and depression are some significant threats to women’s health.

Their chances of getting diagnosed with stress and depression are much higher than men.
Women’s sexual health can be majorly affected by STDs, birth control measures, and reproductive problems.

Women are more prone to be affected by osteoarthritis than men.

UTIs are more than twice as common in women than in men.

Maintaining regular healthy habits is the most practical way to avoid sickness, live longer, and live more joyfully. However, in the chaos of a woman’s everyday life, healthy living may take a step back amidst managing housework, hectic schedules, and other responsibilities.

Therefore, consider these simple steps for a healthier and longer life:

Drink Water: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other healthy drinks and keep emptying your bladder completely. This will help you avoid UTIs.

Try maintaining your body weight: Maintain a healthy weight by balancing the calorie intake with the number of calories burnt in a day. This will not only make you feel light and confident about yourself but will also help detoxify your system inside-out.

Get regular exercise: Engage in physical activity, such as walking, exercising, skipping, cycling, or dancing. Attempt to engage in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on a regular basis. Getting used to it may take time, but it’s always worthwhile in the long run.

Eat healthily: Fuel your body with a balanced, nutritious diet that contains vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, leafy greens, protein-based supplements, etc.

Be cautious about your sexual life: To avoid STDs, get tested, learn about your partner’s sexual health, use condoms, and get vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and HPV.

A gynecologist appointment is suggested for regular screening and any time a woman has concerns about symptoms like pelvic, vulvar, or vaginal pain or unusual uterine bleeding.

You must see a specialist if you experience any of the following concerns:

• Pregnancy, fertility, menstruation, and menopause issues, or difficulties with tissues that support the pelvic organs, such as ligaments and muscles.

• Abnormalities of the reproductive tract, such as ovarian cysts, fibroids, breast concerns, vulvar and vaginal ulcers, and other non-cancerous characteristics.

• Premalignant issues like Endometrial hyperplasia and cervical dysplasia.

• Cancer symptoms of the reproductive tract, breasts, as well as tumors associated with pregnancy.
Female reproductive tract congenital problems.

If you are 21 or older, undergo a Pap test every three years to check for cervical cancer. If you are between 30 to 65 years old, you should receive a Pap test and an HPV test every 5 years. If you are older, you may be allowed to discontinue testing if your doctor confirms that you are at low risk. If you are sexually active and at a higher risk for STDs, you should undergo yearly tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Take an HIV test at least once and more often if you are at risk. Don’t neglect the need for your yearly check-up. Many other issues, such as potential infection, the need for contraception and sexual problems, should be examined by your doctor annually.

Preventive healthcare for women, such as cervical cancer screenings, mammograms, and prenatal care, are typically required to be covered without cost-sharing under the Affordable Care Act. However, the law acknowledges the need to consider women’s specific health needs throughout their lives. The HRSA-supported Institute of Medicine (IOM) health plan coverage standards will ensure that women receive a complete set of preventive care services without having to pay a co-insurance.

An IOM study commissioned by HHS explores the types of preventive care services needed for women’s health and well-being and should thus be addressed in developing comprehensive women’s preventive care guidelines. HRSA supports the IOM’s guidelines on preventive care that addresses women’s health needs. At North Tex MedCare Clinic and Urgent Care, our doctors are trained and experienced in women’s unique healthcare needs and can provide you with the necessary preventative care as outlined in the Affordable Care Act. Talk to our team at North Tex MedCare Clinic and Urgent Care to learn more about treatments. We serve patients from Allen TX, Fort Worth TX, San Antonio TX, Addison TX, Plano TX, Frisco TX, Terrell Hills TX, Carrollton TX, Richardson TX, China Grove TX, Farmers Branch TX, Hebron TX, Forest Hill TX, Leon Valley TX, Fairview TX, Parker TX, Lucas TX and BEYOND.