Don’t be shy to ask questions about your health. Manage your risk and get the healthcare that you deserve.
Women are dealing with unique health problems that they should be aware of. Learning and understanding these different issues will empower you to prioritize your health, take better care of yourselves, and take the necessary actions to enhance your wellbeing. As telemedicine becomes more widely available, it’s easier to get help with any healthcare issues whenever you need it.
Have concerns about your health? The following women’s health issues can be addressed through online video consultations with general practitioners and specialists:
Breast cancer
The biggest cause of cancer-related deaths among women is breast cancer. Both age and a family history of breast cancer can raise the likelihood of getting the disease.
Symptoms:
Painless lumps in the breast
Persistent rash around the nipple
Bleeding or unusual discharge from the nipple
Retracted nipple
Preventive measures:
Perform a self-exam at the same time each month; a good time to do it would be 1 week after your period starts. Check for lumps, distortion, swelling, and soreness around your breasts.
For women aged 40 and older, it’s recommended to get a mammogram every 2 years. This should be immediately done after finding a breast lump.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common and painful sexual health nuisance. About 40% of women would develop UTI at some point in their lives. Women are more prone to urinary tract infections than males because women have shorter urethras, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.
Symptoms:
Burning sensation when you urinate
Frequent urge to urinate even though little comes out when you do
Cloudy, dark, or strange-smelly urine
Preventive measures:
Drink plenty of water daily.
Avoid holding your urine in for too long.
To stop bacteria from the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra after urinating, make sure to wipe from front to back.
After sexual activity, make it a habit to pee within an hour
Put on comfortable undergarments, especially ones with a cotton crotch.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal condition that affects 10% of women of reproductive age. Women with this condition have a hormonal imbalance which prevents ovaries from releasing an egg every month, which reduces their chances of getting pregnant naturally.
Symptoms:
Absent menstruation
Irregular menstrual cycles
Excessive facial and body hair growth
Severe acne
Weight gain
Preventive measures:
Pelvic exams are helpful for detecting complications in your menstrual cycle or uterus.
To manage the symptoms of PCOS, you can also:
Take medication to treat severe acne, an irregular menstrual cycle, and excessive hair growth.
Make healthy lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise to manage weight gain.
Cervical cancer
One of the most common types of cancer among women is cervical cancer. However, if caught early enough, it is usually preventable and treatable. It is most often transmitted through sexual contact and is brought on by different strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Symptoms:
Vaginal bleeding between periods
Watery and bloody discharge
Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse
Preventive measures:
Females between 9 and 26 years old are recommended to get the HPV vaccine.
Women aged 21 and up are encouraged to get a pap smear every 3-5 years. This exam is mainly used to detect abnormal cell growth in your cervix that leads to cervical cancer.
Women aged 30 and above are encouraged to have an HPV test to detect the presence of HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer in their system. You and your doctor can make better decisions about the next steps in your medical care if you are aware of whether you have an HPV type that increases your chance of developing cervical cancer.
When to see a doctor
You should consult a doctor the moment you experience any symptoms, so you can treat any of these conditions early. General Practitioners (GP) are a good first point of contact for care that you need, and can treat issues relating to gynecological cancer, vaginal health, and weight management. Our GPs are available 24/7 for online video consultations on the Doctor Anywhere app.
Apart from reaching out to our GPs, you can also get in touch with one of our qualified OB-GYNs, or see a Urologist for treatment of urinary system issues.