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Women's Health Week

Women's Health Week

Written by Anna Pattison - Clinical Myotherapist | 6th September 2022

Now in its 10th year, Women’s Health Week is a nationwide campaign focused on improving women's health. For one week every September, it is a reminder for women and their loved ones to consider female health, set aside time for your mental well-being, make an appointment for a health check-up and to care for themselves with the same love that they have for those around them.

Common Women Health Concerns

  • Breast and cervical cancer
  • Endometriosis, polycystic ovaries
  • Gynaecological symptoms 
  • Anxiety and depression 
  • Cardiovascular and heart disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Urinary incontinence

With the use of regular screening and early detection, many of these concerns can be more effectively managed.

Screening

Regular screening should include:

  • Cholesterol check – every 5 years after the age of 45.
  • Blood pressure screening - every 2 years after the age of 18.
  • Diabetes check – every 3 years after the age of 40.
  • Breast check - self-examination every month after 20 and screening mammogram every 2 years between 50 and 74.
  • Eye check - glaucoma check after 40, general examination every 2 years between 50 and 65, and every year after 65.
  • Osteoporosis check - bone density scan after 70, if you at risk.
  • Bowel cancer check - every 2 years between 50 and 74.
  • Gynaecological check - Cervical Screening Test to detect cervical cancer 2 years after last Pap test between 25 and 74, then every 5 years.
  • Skin check - every month for moles or discolouration.

The Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle is a process of bodily changes controlled by hormones that cause a regular bleed. The average age of starting the menstrual cycle is 12-13, but may start as early as 9, and as late as 16, continuing until reaching menopause between 45 and 55 years.

What are typical symptoms of the menstrual cycle?

Between 2 weeks and 5 days before your period starts you may experience symptoms that let you know it’s coming. These include:

  • Cramps in the lower abdomen can start before your period lasting several days once your period starts. The achy, cramping feeling may radiate towards your lower back and upper thighs. Some women also experience heaviness in the pelvic area.
  • Pimples often erupt on the chin and jawline but can appear anywhere on the face or back. Around 50% of women experience an increase in acne about a week before their period starts.
  • Breast tenderness in the middle of your cycle due to them enlarging and swelling.
  • Fatigue can often result as hormone levels plummet.
  • Bloating as your body retains more water and salt than usual, especially on the day bleeding begins, easing 2 to 3 days after.
  • Migraine affects 50% of women due to changes during the menstrual cycle.

How to ease symptoms of period pain?

  • Apply heat on the belly or lower back to help relax muscles.
  • Exercise releases endorphins (natural feel-good hormones).
  • Relax with rest, warm baths or meditating to relieve stress.
  • Take period pain medications at the onset of pain and regularly during the days you normally have pain. Note that these medications can cause stomach irritation, so they are best taken with food.

Some women experience minimal or mild discomfort during menstruation, but others suffer from severe, debilitating pain that prevents them from doing their day-to-day activities.

When to see your GP?

Talk to your doctor if your period is causing you to:

  • Miss work or school.
  • Not be able to participate in activities that you usually enjoy.
  • Have pain that persists throughout your period.
  • Experience extreme or unusual cramping.
  • Have heavy bleeding during your period.
  • Experience spotting - vaginal bleeding between periods.
  • Skip periods or have changes in your cycle duration. If the menstrual cycle becomes unusually long or short or absent for three months.
  • Experience breast tenderness that is severe, occurs at other times of the menstrual cycle. Any other symptoms, such as a lump in the breast or changes in the nipple or the skin of the breast.
  • Notice clots that are larger or appear more frequent than usual.
  • Anyone who experiences migraine should consult a doctor.
  • Have not had a period by the age of 15.
  • Feel low in mood or worsening symptoms of existing mental health condition

Endometriosis

Endometriosis, a condition that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. Many women live with symptoms without knowing the differences from ‘normal period pain’.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis, often ‘endo’, is a progressive chronic condition where endometrial cells that line the uterus are found in other parts of the body.

This most commonly occurs in the pelvis and can affect reproductive organs. Stray endometrial tissue acts as it would when in the uterus, it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with each menstrual cycle, causing inflammation and scarring. Unlike endometrial cells within the uterus, these patches cannot pass out of your body.

Endometriosis can be linked to:

  • Family history - women with a close relative with the condition are 7 to 10 times more likely affected.
  • The first period occurring before 11 years of age.
  • Regular short cycles - less than 27 days between periods.
  • Low body weight.

What are the common symptoms?

  • Pelvic pain and cramping, including lower back or legs - beginning before and lasting several days into a menstrual period.
  • Pain during or after intercourse.
  • Excessive bleeding - heavy menstrual periods or bleeding between periods.
  • Painful bowel movements or urination.
  • Nausea and fatigue.
  • Diarrhoea and constipation

What is the appropriate treatment and management?

Treatment of endometriosis must be discussed with a doctor.

Additional treatments include:

  • Reducing stress - endometriosis symptoms can be increased by stress.
  • Plenty of sleep.
  • Avoiding caffeine.
  • Regular exercise.
  • Eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids - such as salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
  • A hot water bottle or heating pad on the abdomen

Postnatal Depression

There is a difference between hormonal ‘baby blues’ after delivery and more severe postnatal depression.

Many new parents feel tired or overwhelmed after the arrival of their baby. 4 out of 5 new mums experience ‘baby blues’ between days 3 and 10 after having a baby, feeling moody, anxious, tearful or with difficulty sleeping. Although these feelings can be challenging, they usually pass quickly with no special treatment.

Postnatal depression lasts longer, is more severe, and doesn’t usually pass without help. Postnatal depression affects 1 in 5 new mums.

Even a relatively easy birth is an overwhelming physical experience for a woman’s body. A new mother has to deal with exhaustion and broken sleep, the constant demands of her baby, a different dynamic in her relationships and a loss of independence

What are the common symptoms of postnatal depression?

  • Feeling sad and tearful
  • Low self-esteem and lack of confidence
  • Feelings of inadequacy and guilt
  • Feeling hopeless, worthless or numb
  • Losing interest in others, including the new baby
  • Sleeping too much, or having difficulty sleeping
  • Anxiety, panic attacks, or heart palpitations
  • Difficulty concentrating or remembering
  • Difficulty with daily activities
  • Thoughts of harm to oneself or the child

What are the risk factors?

  • History of depression or mental illness
  • Previous pregnancy loss
  • Difficult pregnancy or birth
  • Unwell baby or difficult to settle
  • History of physical, sexual or emotional abuse
  • Lack of social support

As a new parent, it is important to look after physical and emotional well-being:

  • Have time to oneself.
  • Keep important hobbies and interests.
  • Talk to close friends about feelings and concerns.
  • Adopt acts of self-care with sufficient sleep/rest, healthy food, a regular routine and social connection.
  • Connect with other new parents.

Suggestions for family and friends?

  • Find information about PND.
  • Be patient, empathetic and understanding.
  • Offer to help around the house.
  • Let the mother know you are there for her.

Where to get advice and support?

  • Talk to a partner or someone trusted.
  • Ask a GP, midwife or child healthcare nurse for advice

Call a support service:

  • PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) - 1300 726 306
  • Maternal and Child Health Line (24 hours) - 13 22 29
  • Lifeline Tel. 13 11 14
  • Gidget Foundation - online and telehealth support - 1300 22 4636
  • Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636

Menopause

What is menopause? What are the stages? When does it occur? How should it be managed?

I will explore this topic again, as despite me having a nursing qualification and a health science degree, it remains rarely mentioned. Living in England, I was uneducated on menopause. Thankfully, I have learnt much from my patients in Australia!

Different cultural backgrounds may influence thoughts and feelings around menopause. In some cultures, reaching menopause is a sign of losing youth, whilst in others, it is seen to bring age and wisdom.

Menopause is the transition leading to the final menstrual period. Most women become perimenopausal between the ages of 45 and 55, with 51 the average age of onset.

Perimenopause begins with the first menopausal symptoms are noticed. Postmenopause is referred to as a year after the last menstrual bleed.

During perimenopause, the ovaries wind down and ovulations become lesser. Menstrual periods may become irregular with various skipped months.

Hormonal fluctuations can become erratic and symptoms can come in waves. 4 to 6 years is the average duration of perimenopause, however, it can last anywhere from 1 year to over 10 years

What are the common perimenopause symptoms?

  • Hot flushes and night sweats
  • Fatigue
  • Mood swings
  • Headaches
  • Aching joints and muscle tension
  • Brain fog
  • Low libido

Try to understand the natural fluctuations in estrogen levels and allow time to adjust.

  • Take time out.
  • Drink water.
  • Reduce alcohol.
  • Eat a healthy diet - increase calcium, magnesium, vitamin c, and omega-3.
  • Do physical activity - 30-40 minutes on most days.
  • Have a good sleep routine.