Men and women have different health needs. Some women’s health problems are unique to women, but even the health problems that affect both men and women can affect women differently. This is just one of the reasons it’s important for women to see a gynecologist.
Heart disease in women
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Women, however, are more likely than men to die after a heart attack. Heart attack symptoms for women look different from heart attack symptoms for men.
Women are more likely to develop UTIs
Women develop urinary tract problems more often than men, and pelvic pain is a symptom of a urinary tract infection that is specific to women. UTIs can cause complications for women who are pregnant, and are more likely spread to the kidneys.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Women are less likely to experience symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases than men. This means diseases can go unnoticed. STDs can be passed down from a pregnant mother to a baby, and may result in birth defects, or even death.
Human papillomavirus is the main cause of cervical cancer. The good news is that HPV can be prevented.
Women are more likely to develop MS
Multiple sclerosis is two to three times more common in women than in men. MS can cause symptoms in women that affect menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.
Mental health in women
Women may show more signs of depression and anxiety than men. More women are diagnosed with depression than men. There are also mental health problems unique to women, such as postpartum depression.
Migraines affect more women than men.
Three out of four people who suffer a migraine headache are women. Not only do migraines affect more women, but women tend to experience migraine headaches differently than men. Women report more chronic migraines and more severe migraines than men.
Meet with a gynecologist today
To put it simply men and women have different health needs. Your primary care physician knows this — but you should keep it in mind if you self-diagnose with Google. A lot of online health information doesn’t consider male-female differences. It may be too general to be useful.
When you need a doctor for women’s health issues in particular, Renaissance Women’s Healthcare in Fayetteville, AR, provides gynecology and wellness services for women. Schedule an appointment with a MANA gynecologist today.