Women’s Health
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a common condition that affects how a woman’s ovaries work. The cysts are not harmful but lead to hormone imbalances. Only a blood test and scan of your ovaries can diagnose PCOS, but the signs and symptoms are:
- Irregular periods or no periods at all.
- Difficulty getting pregnant as a result of irregular ovulation or failure to ovulate.
- Excessive hair growth (hirsuitism), usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks.
- Weight gain.
- Thinning hair and hair loss from the head.
- Oily skin or acne.
It is also associated with an increased risk of developing health problems in later life, such as Type 2 Diabetes and high cholesterol levels.
Endometriosis
20-40% of women with endometriosis will not conceive naturally. Endometriosis is a common condition where tissue that behaves like the lining of the womb (endometrium) is found in other parts of the body. It can appear in many different places, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, inside the abdomen, and in, or around, the bladder or bowel.
Endometriosis mainly affects women of childbearing age and is less common in women who have been through the menopause.
Common symptoms include:
- Painful, heavy, or irregular periods.
- Pain during or after sex.
- Pain or defecation.
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium) breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus (the myometrium).
While some women diagnosed with adenomyosis have no symptoms, the disease can cause:
- Heavy, prolonged menstrual bleeding.
- Severe menstrual cramps.
- Abdominal pressure and bloating.
Adenomyosis is a common condition, most often diagnosed in middle-aged women and women who have had children. Some studies also suggest that women who have had prior uterine surgery may be at risk of adenomyosis.
Menopause
Although a natural process, some women can have some severe symptoms than usual. Menopause is not a sudden event, but a gradual physiological process throughout a woman’s lifetime. This means that the biological basis of the menopause is determined by her lifestyle and dietary habits right from childhood to the time of the cessation of menstruation. In fact, many women go through this transition with no symptoms. But in a minority of cases, symptoms may be very severe. Common symptoms include:
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex
- Difficult sleeping
- Low mood or anxiety
- Reduced sex drive (libido)
- Problems with memory and concentration
