Both men and women contract various conditions.  However, for reasons both known and unknown, some illnesses are just more likely to show up in women than they are in men.

Estrogen, a natural hormone, has an important role in the health of women. The ovaries make most of the estrogen in the body. Fat cells and adrenal glands also make small amounts of estrogen.

During a woman’s reproductive life cycle, from about the age of 12 to 50, estrogen provides a protective effect on women’s heart health. This protective effect of estrogen can change depending on a variety of factors and conditions. 

The level of women’s estrogen falls during perimenopause – a period when your hormones start to change and cause symptoms before the menstrual period fully stops. This condition is called menopause.

Why women should keep healthy

We are living a life that’s moving forward and we pass many milestones throughout. 

As a woman, health should stay top-of-mind every step of the way. To live more happily is to practice healthy habits.

Being caught up with work, a busy schedule and chores must not put your health in the back seat. Don’t think of healthy living as an ‘added role’, instead, you can integrate different practices in being healthy.

Simple steps can be taken for longer, healthier life.

Want the best way to stay strong? Exercise. Are you thinking about how you can hit the gym with your busy schedule? Well, you don’t have to go to the gym to do exercise.

You can walk for at least 30 minutes, four days a week. If you can, jogging is another form of exercise and if you love dancing, then hit the dance floor and keep grooving for a time each day!

You can mix routines and try different activities, for as long as you are moving and stretching those body parts.

Eating healthy is important to a woman’s overall health. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins, minerals and minerals that are important for development and well-being.

Multivitamins can supplement the nutrients of the body.

Health risks can be avoided when you are doing a healthy lifestyle.

Diseases that women should watch out for

Many health issues are common among both women and men. But, some conditions are more common in women or impact women differently. 

Urinary Tract Issues

The way the female urinary tract is structured is different from how it is for men. Women have a shorter urethra – the passage from the urinary bladder to the outer urinary opening. This makes bacteria travel a smaller distance to reach the bladder to start an infection.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Arthritis is the leading cause of physical disability. Joint pain, swelling and stiffness are the common symptoms. Osteoarthritis is more common in women over the age of 45.

Cervical Cancer

The cervix is the mouth of the uterus. cancer of the cervix is often caused by infection due to human papillomavirus or HPV. Cancer develops over a long time.  Detection can happen in an early stage and will result in ineffective treatment. 

Gall Stones

Women tend to have higher body fat percentages. Overweight and obese people are more likely to develop gallstones.

Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. It can attack everything from blood cells to the brain.

The most distinctive sign of lupus is a facial rash that looks like the wings of a butterfly. 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for lupus. Treatments are available to help control the symptoms.

Stroke

Men and women share many of the same risk factors for stroke. These include high cholesterol and high blood pressure. However, women are more likely to have a stroke than men. Some risk factors are unique for women. These include pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy and birth control use.

Breast Cancer

This is the most common cancer among women across the globe. There could be a range of risk factors including late first pregnancy, not breastfeeding the baby, late menopause or family history.

Women are advised to get a clinical breast exam done by a doctor when she reaches post 30 years old.  All women should do a breast self-exam every month. To ask a guide on how to do this exam, you can talk to a health practitioner. You can find a walk in clinic Hamilton and consult with a doctor there.

Women face many physical changes. To name such: monthly periods that start during teenage years, pregnancy and menopausal. The changes are normal yet it might affect the risk of the women to health issues.  

No matter the age, your health does an important role in helping you make the most of every moment. Now is the right time to think if you’re living a life with healthy choices. If not, it’s not too late to shift.