While women and men have many of the same health issues, women may be affected differently than men. In addition, there are some conditions which are unique to women. Familiarity with women’s health issues, regular screenings and prevention are keys to maintaining good health.
Health Issues
Some of the common health issues female service members, family members and retirees should be aware of include:
Breast Diseases
Most women experience breast changes at some time. Age, hormone levels and medicines may cause lumps, bumps and discharges. Anyone with a breast lump, pain, discharge or skin irritation, should see a health care provider. Minor and serious breast problems have similar symptoms. Although many women fear cancer, most breast problems are not cancer.
Common causes of breast changes include: Fibrocystic breast condition (lumpiness, thickening and swelling, often associated with a woman's period); cysts (fluid-filled lumps); injury; fibroadenomas (solid, round, rubbery lumps that move easily when pushed, occurring most in younger women); intraductal papillomas (growths similar to warts near the nipple); blocked or clogged milk ducts; milk production when a woman is not breastfeeding.
Menopause
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her menstrual cycle ceases. It usually occurs naturally, most often after age 45. Menopause happens because the woman's ovary stops producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a period for one year. Changes and symptoms can start several years earlier. They include: a change in periods; hot flashes and/or night sweats; trouble sleeping; vaginal dryness; mood swings; trouble focusing; less hair on head, more on face.
Some symptoms require treatment. Talk to a doctor about how to best manage menopause. Make sure the doctor knows the medical history and the family's medical history. This includes information related to risks for heart disease, osteoporosis or breast cancer.
Pregnancy
Women who are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant can help give babies a healthy start with regular visits to healthcare providers. These prenatal care visits are very important for your baby and yourself. Some things you might do when you are pregnant could hurt your baby, such as smoking or drinking. Some medicines can also be a problem, even ones that a doctor prescribed. You will need to drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet. You may also be tired and need more rest.
Your body will change as your baby grows during the nine months of your pregnancy. Don't hesitate to call your health care provider if you think you have a problem or something is bothering or worrying you.
Reproductive Health
Reproductive health issues can impact fertility, overall health and a person's ability to enjoy a sexual relationship.
Reproductive health is influenced by many factors. These include age, lifestyle, habits, genetics, use of medicines and exposure to chemicals in the environment. Many problems of the reproductive system can be corrected.
Uterine Diseases
An early sign of uterine disease may be bleeding between periods or after sex. Causes of abnormal bleeding include hormones, thyroid problems, fibroids, polyps, cancer, infection or pregnancy.
Treatment depends on the cause. Sometimes birth control pills treat hormonal imbalances. If a thyroid problem is the cause, treating it may also stop the bleeding. If you have cancer or hyperplasia, an overgrowth of normal cells in the uterus, you may need surgery.
Other uterine problems are endometriosis and adenomyosis. In endometriosis, the kind of tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. With adenomyosis, the tissue grows in the uterus's outer walls. Pain medicine may help; other treatments include hormones and surgery.
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Article
10/17/2016
![Navy Medicine treats and prevents women’s health issues around the world, including ships at sea, using innovative technology and research. The fleet ensures that its ships are equipped to support basic women’s health needs. While the depth of resources depends on the size and mission of each ship, all are equipped with emergency and routine birth control options, basic testing for sexually transmitted infections, equipment for well-woman exams and sick call examinations, and most importantly a professionally trained medical provider. (U.S. Navy photo)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161018231029im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/The%20Surface%20Warfare%20Medical%20Institute.ashx?mw=120)
Navy Medicine treats and prevents women’s health issues around the world, including at sea, using innovative technology and research
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Health Readiness, Women's Health
Article
10/13/2016
![Early detection of the breast cancer can provide early treatment for the service member and or their beneficiaries. For those women diagnosed with localized (Stage 1) breast cancer there is a more than 98 percent probability that they will survive five or more years. (U.S. Air Force photo by L.A. Shively)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161018231029im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/Army%20Breast%20Cancer%20Awareness.ashx?mw=120)
Army Medicine is diagnosing and treating service members with cancer using state-of-the-art techniques and tools that many civilian hospitals can't provide
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Article
10/5/2016
![Navy Lt. Cmdr. Erik Ramey, reviews a patient’s x-ray as part of a routine screening mammogram. A mammogram can often detect breast cancer long before it can be felt and usually years before physical symptoms appear. If detected early, breast cancer treatment can be less invasive and more successful. (DoD photo illustration)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161018231029im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/NAVAL%20HOSPITAL%20PENSACOLA%20breast%20cancer.ashx?mw=120)
It's important women, and men, regularly check for lumps or abnormalities around their breasts
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Women's Health
Article
8/3/2016
![Image of the TRICARE logo.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161018231029im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/TRICARE%20Logo.ashx?mw=120)
Did you know the first week in August is known as World Breastfeeding Week? Take some time this week to learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and what you can do to support breastfeeding as a key component to sustainable development.
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Policy
With this update, CDC is expanding its existing recommendations to cover all pregnant couples, which includes pregnant women with female sex partners. This guidance also describes what other couples (those who are not pregnant or planning to become pregnant) can do to reduce the risk for Zika virus transmission. CDC’s recommendations for couples planning to become pregnant have been published separately (9).
Article
6/20/2016
![A service member is prepped to donate at a collection center. While there is still a chance that women who have been pregnant will be deferred from donating, the new HLA test opens the door for women to consider donating platelets and plasma for the first time in many years. (Courtesy photo)](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161018231029im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/momblood.ashx?mw=120)
A recent update the American Association of Blood Banks’s human leukocyte antigen regulations will open the door for many women to donate platelet and plasma for the first time in years
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Article
5/23/2016
![New mothers can sometimes feel overwhelmed, which can sometimes result in post-partum depression.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161018231029im_/http://health.mil/~/media/MHS/Photos/Postpartum.ashx?mw=120)
Feeling the “baby blues” is common for new moms. But it could develop into post-partum depression. Experts offer tips on how to recognize it and how to prevent it.
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