Some health conditions affect men and women equally. Heart disease and cancer, for example, are top causes of death for both men and women. But women are more likely to be affected by certain other diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This can often be traced back to sex hormones such as estrogen, says Betul Hatipoglu, MD, a diabetes and obesity expert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a look at some conditions women are at higher risk of developing. Plus, what you can do to help prevent them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Women are more likely than men to die after a heart attack. Some doctors still miss signs of a heart attack in women, Dr. Hatipoglu notes. Another reason: \u201cWomen don\u2019t go to the emergency room as fast as men,\u201d she says. This causes delays in care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That may be in part because women\u2019s heart attack symptoms aren\u2019t always the \u201cclassic\u201d signs that are seen in men. Plus, women\u2019s symptoms can come and go. They can come on more slowly. As a result, it can take longer to realize it\u2019s something more serious than, say, indigestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What to do:<\/strong> If you have any risk factors for heart disease, get treated for them. That includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you have gestational diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy? Make sure that you have a care plan in place after delivery.\u201c These conditions can linger and put women at high risk of a heart attack or stroke later on in life,\u201d says Dr. Hatipoglu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Know the symptoms of a heart attack. They may look different in women than in men. The most common sign is chest pain. But women also are more likely to have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you notice these symptoms, don\u2019t wait to call 911.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have a thyroid problem. The thyroid is a gland in your neck. It makes thyroid hormone. This hormone controls many functions in your body, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Problems can happen when the thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism).<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not clear why women are more likely to have thyroid problems. Estrogen may play a role. Thyroid issues can happen at any age. But they\u2019re more likely to start right after you give birth or go through menopause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to do:<\/strong> Know the symptoms of thyroid disease. The main sign of hypothyroidism is feeling tired. Other symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signs of hyperthyroidism include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor can diagnose thyroid disease through blood tests. If your tests are normal, Dr. Hatipoglu recommends getting screened for other autoimmune diseases. Some that are common in women include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These all may cause similar symptoms to thyroid problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n About 80% of people who have osteoporosis are women. It\u2019s a health problem that causes your bones to weaken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Women are more likely to be diagnosed with this condition because they have smaller, thinner, less dense bones than men. Hormonal changes during menopause also lead to a loss of bone density.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to do:<\/strong> Osteoporosis usually doesn\u2019t have symptoms, especially in its early stages. So it\u2019s important to stay up-to-date on screenings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The general recommendation is to get a bone mineral density test if you\u2019re 65 or older. You may want to get one as early as age 50 if you have risk factors. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how you can lower your risk of osteoporosis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n One in eight women go through depression in their lifetime. That\u2019s twice as many as men. This is probably due to shifts in hormones (especially around your period, pregnancy, and perimenopause), as well as genetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Women are also more likely to have stress. And that can also lead to depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What to do:<\/strong> You don\u2019t want to ignore depression. It\u2019s been linked to other health conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and cancer. Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor can refer you to a mental healthcare provider for talk therapy. They can also prescribe medicines, such as antidepressants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember: As a woman, you may have a higher chance of getting these conditions. But that doesn\u2019t mean you will<\/em> get them. Knowing your risks can inspire you to take steps to lower them. And to get treatment right away if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n\t\t\t\n
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Thyroid disease<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Osteoporosis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Depression and anxiety<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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