5 Things Every Woman Needs to Know About Her Health

“Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all,” is what the queen asked her mirror every day in Snow White.

From a young age, traditional fairytales, and to a certain extent, Hollywood, has placed a huge emphasis on outward appearances, failing to promote the importance of what’s inside. “Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the healthiest of them all,” is a question that would’ve helped the queen much more in her quest for power.

According to a report by The Commonwealth Fund on the status of women’s health and health care in 11 different countries, the US ranked 11th—right at the bottom. From physical to mental health, American women are not faring well.

And as women, it’s up to us to change these statistics. If we don’t care about ourselves, who else would?

So, here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to your health.

Heart Disease Isn’t Just a Man’s Disease

According to CDC, heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women. But for some reason, it’s widely assumed that it’s more common in men, although statistics clearly show that every 1 in five female deaths is caused by heart disease.

Moreover, it’s important to remember that symptoms of a heart attack in women can be vastly different from men. While men and women both experience chest pain, which is an immediate and obvious sign, women also experience some other, more subtle symptoms such as nausea, difficulty in breathing, lightheadedness, dizziness, and so on.

It’s very easy to ignore these subtle signs and take them as general health concerns related to fatigue or a busy lifestyle, but they could be something much bigger which is why you should consult a doctor if you’re experiencing these symptoms.

The Right Bra Can Change Your Life

We’ve all been bra shopping and felt clueless at times. Some don’t look right; others don’t feel right. And these are important considerations since choosing the right bra can make a lot of difference to your health.

Ill-fitted bras not only take away from your dress’s appeal, but they also cause a number of health problems like back and shoulder pain, posture issues, skin problems—in case the bra is too tight or the wrong material.

Moreover, it crucial to remember that, as a woman, your bra size does change throughout your life as you go through pregnancies, breastfeeding, or if your weight fluctuates—so you need to get fitted and refitted to find a bra that supports you best!

Your Gynecologist Is Your Best Friend

You don’t have to be pregnant to see a gynecologist; you just need to be a woman. A gynecologist can help you with a range of women’s health issues, including irregular periods, breast pains, sexual discomfort, and pretty much anything that doesn’t feel right down there.

So, ideally, you should be getting an annual GYN exam, including a breast exam, pelvic exam, and possibly a Pap test. If you’re sexually active, your gynecologist may also suggest getting tests every year for STDs.

And expect to make lots of visits to the gynecologist during pre-menopause and when you finally reach menopause as the symptoms can be ruthless, and you’d want to see someone who can help you deal with them. Especially because half the time, you won’t even know what symptoms are related to it.

You Can’t Keep Eating the Same Way Throughout Your Life

For many women, body image is everything, which should ideally translate into eating healthy and clean. However, some people like to stick to strict diets. These strict diets with controlled portions and barely any calories probably worked great for you during your 20s, but it’s not enough for your aging body.

As you grow older, your appetite will change a lot. Starving yourself isn’t going to help. To stay healthy, you need to eat when you feel hungry, even if it’s only a tiny portion. As your body ages, its nutritional requirements are altered, so make sure to set up an appointment with a nutritionist to figure out a plan that works for you.

Also, keep in mind, drinking the right amount of water could do wonders for your body at any age, so stay hydrated!

Your Mental Health Is SO Important

Not to scare you, but as a woman, you’re nearly twice as likely as a man to be diagnosed with depression at any age throughout your life. So, naturally, you need to pay close attention to the way you feel.

Another common misconception is people associating depression with merely feeling sad. Feeling sad at times is okay but being depressed is often more than that. Clinical depression is often marked by symptoms such as insomnia, unexplained fatigue, fluctuating weight, and so on.

So, if you ever feel these symptoms, it’s not nothing. And it’s okay to reach out for help. You should discuss whatever you’re experiencing with your primary physician so they can refer you to a mental health specialist if needed.

As a woman, it can be very hard to take time out for yourself and focus on your health. If you feel like a visit to the doctor’s office is long overdue, but you can’t find the time to go, simply speak to a doctor online.

At TelMDCare, we offer online doctor consultation services for a range of issues.

Get in touch to book an appointment with one of our general practitioners online.