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Endometriosis
Uterine Fibroids
Gynecologic Cancer
HIV/AIDS
Interstitial Cystitis
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Sexual Violence
Resources
EndometriosisExternal (MedlinePlus)
Endometriosis is a problem affecting a woman’s uterus—the place where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. Endometriosis is when the kind of tissue that normally lines the uterus grows somewhere else. It can grow on the ovaries, behind the uterus, on the bowels, or on the bladder. Rarely, it grows in other parts of the body.
This “misplaced” tissue can cause pain, infertility, and very heavy periods. The pain is usually in the abdomen, lower back, or pelvic areas. Some women have no symptoms at all, and having trouble getting pregnant may be the first sign they have endometriosis.
three women walking arm in arm
Uterine FibroidsExternal (MedlinePlus)
Uterine fibroids are the most common noncancerous tumors in women of childbearing age. Fibroids are made of muscle cells and other tissues that grow in and around the wall of the uterus, or womb. The cause of fibroids is unknown. Risk factors include being African-American or being overweight. The symptoms of fibroids include
Heavy or painful periods or bleeding between periods.
Feeling “full” in the lower abdomen.
Urinating often.
Pain during sex.
Lower back pain.
Reproductive problems, such as infertility, multiple miscarriages, or early labor.
But some women will have no symptoms. That is why it is important to see your health care provider for routine exams.
Gynecologic Cancer
CDC provides information and educational materials for women and health care providers to raise awareness about the five main gynecologic cancers. Gynecologic cancer is any cancer that starts in a woman’s reproductive organs. Gynecologic cancers begin in different places within a woman’s pelvis, which is the area below the stomach and in between the hip bones.
Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus.
Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries, which are located on each side of the uterus.
Uterine cancer begins in the uterus, the pear-shaped organ in a woman’s pelvis where the baby grows when a woman is pregnant.
Vaginal cancer begins in the vagina, which is the hollow, tube-like channel between the bottom of the uterus and the outside of the body.
Vulvar cancer begins in the vulva, the outer part of the female genital organs.
HIV/AIDS
HIV and Breastfeeding
HIV can be spread through breast milk, so mothers in the US who have HIV should not breast-feed their babies.
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV affects specific cells of the immune system (called CD4 cells). Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infection anymore. The human body cannot get rid of HIV—that means once a person has HIV, he or she has it for life. There is no cure at this time, but with proper medical care, the virus can be controlled. HIV is the virus that can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection, when a person’s immune system is severely damaged.
HIV in Women
Women who are infected with HIV typically get it by having sex with a man who is infected or by sharing needles with an infected person. Women of minority races/ethnicities are especially affected, and black or African American women are the most affected group.
Pregnant Women
All pregnant women should know their HIV status. Pregnant women who are HIV-positive can work with their health care providers to ensure their babies do not contract HIV during pregnancy, delivery, or after delivery (through breast milk). It is possible for a mother to have HIV and not spread it to her baby, especially if she knows about her HIV status early and works with her health care provider to reduce the risk.
Learn more from CDC’s Act Against AIDS campaign including how HIV is spread, and how to prevent HIV.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic bladder condition resulting in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder or surrounding pelvic region. People with IC usually have inflamed or irritated bladder walls that can cause scarring and stiffening of the bladder. IC can affect anyone; however, it is more common in women than men. Some people have some or none of the following symptoms:
Abdominal or pelvic mild discomfort.
Frequent urination.
A feeling of urgency to urinate.
Feeling of abdominal or pelvic pressure.
Tenderness.
Intense pain in the bladder or pelvic region.
Severe lower abdominal pain that intensifies as the urinary bladder fills or empties.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)External (MedlinePlus)
Polycystic ovary syndrome happens when a woman’s ovaries or adrenal glands produce more male hormones than normal. One result is that cysts (fluid-filled sacs) develop on the ovaries. Women who are obese are more likely to have PCOS. Women with PCOS are at increased risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. Symptoms may include
Infertility.
Pelvic pain.
Excess hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes.
Baldness or thinning hair.
Acne, oily skin, or dandruff.
Patches of thickened dark brown or black skin.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Logo: Get yourself talking. Get yourself tested.
STDs are infections that you can get from having sex with someone who has the infection. The causes of STDs are bacteria, parasites, and viruses. There are more than 20 types of STDs. Read more about specific STDs from these CDC fact sheets.
Most STDs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause can be more severe for women. If a pregnant woman has an STD, it can cause serious health problems for the baby.
If you have an STD caused by bacteria or parasites, your health care provider can treat it with antibiotics or other medicines. If you have an STD caused by a virus, there is no cure, but antiviral medication can help control symptoms. Sometimes medicines can keep the disease under control. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading STDs.
Sexual Violence
image of a worried woman
Sexual Violence (SV) is a significant problem in the United States. SV refers to sexual activity where consent is not obtained or freely given. Anyone can experience SV, but most victims are female. The person responsible for the violence is typically male and is usually someone known to the victim. The person can be, but is not limited to, a friend, coworker, neighbor, or family member. Learn more about sexual violence risk and protective factors. The ultimate goal is to stop sexual violence before it begins.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans. The term intimate partner violence describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy.
Resources
Find a Health CenterExternal
Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) health centers care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income.
Womenshealth.gov: A—Z Health TopicsExternal
Page last reviewed: April 27, 2018
Content source: Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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10 HEALTH SYMPTOMS WOMEN SHOULDN’T IGNORE
A group of three women laugh together at a restaurant over brunch.
Some women’s health symptoms are clear indicators of the need to get medical attention — uncomfortable pressure or pain in the chest as a sign of a possible heart attack, for example.
However, there are other signs your body is telling you something is wrong that you might be tempted to dismiss as unimportant. Knowing what those symptoms are and talking with your doctor about them as soon as you notice them can make an important difference in your prognosis and the effectiveness of your treatment.
SEE YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU EXPERIENCE THESE 10 WOMEN’S HEALTH SYMPTOMS
The 10 signs below aren’t always an indicator of a serious health problem, but they are symptoms to never ignore. If you experience them, contact your doctor. And if you have symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, or another life-threatening event, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately.
Discolored or swollen breast. Swelling of the breasts before your period or during pregnancy is normal. But if you have unusual or rapid swelling, or you notice discoloration like red or purple spots on your breast, these can be signs of what’s called inflammatory breast cancer. This is a rare form of cancer that develops quickly. Breast infections can produce some of the same changes, so it’s important to see your doctor so they can determine the cause of the changes and the appropriate treatment.
Shortness of breath. Feeling winded after exertion like climbing a flight of stairs is normal. But if you find it hard to catch your breath in other circumstances or your breathing is uncomfortable, that can be caused by a tumor, blood clot, or pneumonia. It can also be a sign of stress or anxiety. Your doctor can do a physical exam and order tests to figure out the cause.
Abdominal bloating. Abdominal bloating in women is normal after eating a large meal or around the time of your period. However, if you feel bloated much of the time or can’t eat as much as you used to without feeling full, it could be a sign of ovarian cancer or other issues.
Unexplained weight loss. If you’ve started a workout regimen or are eating less and are losing weight, that’s to be expected. But if you haven’t changed your activity level or diet and are losing weight, that can be a sign of several health issues. They include diabetes, heart disease, celiac disease, cancer, HIV, and thyroid disease.
Headache, dizziness, or weakness on one side of the body. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are “mini-strokes” that can cause these symptoms, along with muscle slackness on one side, vision problems, and trouble speaking. TIAs don’t cause permanent brain injury, but approximately 30% of people who have a TIA will have a full-blown stroke later.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding. Bleeding after intercourse, between periods, or after menopause can be a sign of serious health issues like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or cancer.
Ongoing stomach problems. Having an upset stomach periodically typically isn’t a sign of serious illness. But issues like abdominal pain, cramps, constipation, and diarrhea in women can be symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other problems if they happen regularly.
Black or bloody stools. Temporary changes in the color of your stools can be caused by the foods you eat, supplements you take (iron, for example), or drugs like diarrhea medication. But stools that are black or bloody can be an indicator of conditions like hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diverticulitis, ulcers, or cancer.
New or changing spots on your skin. New spots that don’t look like the others you have, or a mole that starts changing shape or color can be a sign of skin cancer. You should have them looked at by your doctor or a dermatologist.
Continual fatigue. Life circumstances can lead to temporary fatigue. But if you notice a lack of energy that recurs frequently or doesn’t improve, that can be a sign of a health issue. For example, certain cancers, liver failure, depression, diabetes, thyroid disease, sleep apnea, heart disease, kidney failure, and anemia can cause chronic fatigue.
BE VIGILANT AND PROACTIVE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH
The key to a good outcome with any health issue is prompt treatment. And the key to getting prompt treatment is to be aware of important female health symptoms. This doesn’t mean being worried, but rather, being vigilant and then taking action if you notice anything concerning.
LEARN ABOUT WOMEN’S SERVICES AT BAPTIST HEALTH
If you have questions or concerns about women’s health symptoms, Baptist Health is here for you. Learn about the women’s services we offer and find a women’s health provider in our online directory.
Next Steps and Useful Resources
Find a Provider
10 Questions Women Are Afraid to Ask Their Doctor (But Should)
7 Women’s Health Screenings & Check Up Exams
[PODCAST] Ladies, Listen Up!
