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Women’s Health

Staying healthy and well is one of the most important things women can do for themselves and for their loved ones, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some ways women can put their health first:

 

Stay Active

Regular exercise can help women boost their mood, maintain a healthy weight, and improve sleep. It also lowers risk for heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Women should speak with their doctor about what type of exercise is right for them.

Eat Healthy
Eating healthy can help women improve their health and prevent diseases. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Avoid having too much sodium, sugar, cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats.
Get Regular Checkups
Regular checkups and wellness exams help women increase their chances of living a longer, healthier life. Women should check with their primary care provider about the care and screenings they need, and whether they should schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment.

Follow Recommended Screenings
Maintain Healthy Levels
A well-rounded diet and regular exercise can help keep women’s blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar at healthy levels. Women should talk to their primary care provider or heart specialist about safely reducing their risk and setting goals for a healthier heart.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking or using tobacco products greatly increases women’s risk of heart disease. Women who want to quit should speak to their primary care provider for help and to see if there are medications or nicotine replacement products that are right for them. Non-smokers who have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol also have a greater risk of developing heart disease when they’re exposed to secondhand smoke.

More on Women's Health


Awareness and Understanding Needed to Fight Endometriosis
3/14/2023 • Posted by Dr. Thomas Raskauskas, OB/GYN and Senior Medical Director

Cervical-Cancer-Awareness-2023-Fidelis-Care-Image-Asset


Endometriosis is a disease in which cells normally seen lining the uterus (womb) grow outside the uterus. It can cause pain and lead to reproductive health issues such as infertility. About 10% of women, mostly in their 30s and 40s, are affected by endometriosis. Any female with an active reproductive system – even adolescents and young women – can have endometriosis. That’s because the cells in their uterus respond to estrogen and cause periods.

 

Endometriosis Symptoms

Endometriosis symptoms range from mild to severe. The most common symptoms are pain during your period and pain during sex. Other symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, bloating, and nausea. If endometriosis involves either the bowel or bladder, it can cause pain with bowel movements or urination. Endometriosis can also cause scarring around the internal female reproductive organs, which can lead to infertility.

Women who are experiencing the above symptoms should talk to their provider, so the provider can help determine if treatment is needed.

 

Endometriosis Treatment

If your provider thinks you have endometriosis, the first steps to treat the symptoms are medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain pills (such as ibuprofen), as well as birth control. Some women may be offered hormone medications to block the effects of estrogen. Birth control pills and hormone medications that block estrogen may prevent further damage, but do not treat the scarring that is already caused by endometriosis.

If symptoms persist after 3 to 6 months of medications, your provider may recommend a procedure to look inside your pelvis with a camera (laparoscopy). Any areas that look suspicious for endometriosis may be sampled and sent to be looked at under a microscope. You also may be offered surgery to remove the scarring and “burn” the abnormal cells causing endometriosis. The endometriosis can return, however. Severe cases may require removal of your womb and your ovaries. 

 

Additional Resources for Endometriosis

If you have questions about endometriosis, talk to your provider about your symptoms and treatment options. You also can learn more about endometriosis by visiting the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website at www.acog.org.

Additional Resources:

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