5 Common Women’s Health Issues & How to Prevent Them

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Women’s diseases often progress without any symptoms. Early detection is the key for all of them. In this article, we will explain what you need to know. 

What Health Issues are Specific to Women?

  Uterine fibroids

Test method Blood test / Ultrasonography / MRI / Hysteroscopy / Hysterosalpingogram
Age of onset 20s to 40s, mostly 30s to 40s
Treatment methods Surgical treatment such as laparotomy, vaginal surgery, and laparoscopy / symptomatic treatment / hormonal treatment
Early detection checkpoints Increase menstrual flow

Frequent urination

Back pain or constipation

Discomfort when you touch your stomach etc…

One of the most common benign tumors, one in four women over the age of 30 has a fibroid. There are few early symptoms and they are very difficult to detect. As the fibroids grow, subjective symptoms such as menstrual cramps, discharge, painful intercourse, and lumps may occur. Although the cause is still unknown, it is believed to be closely related to sex hormones because it occurs between menarche and menopause.

   Endometriosis

Test method Blood test / Ultrasonography / MRI / Hysteroscopy / Hysterosalpingogram
Age of onset 20s to 40s, mostly 20s to 30s
Treatment methods Surgical treatment such as laparotomy and laparoscopy / Drug therapy such as low-dose pills and dinagest
Early detection checkpoints Increase menstrual flow

Severe menstrual cramps

Pain in the pelvic area etc…

A disease in which tissue resembling the endometrium, which is normally found inside the uterus, is found outside the uterus. The cause is thought to be that a portion of the endometrium that has been removed during menstruation flows backward and legitimately attaches to the surface of the ovaries or pelvis. Symptoms include dysmenorrhea, infertility, pelvic pain, and painful intercourse.

Breast Cancer

Examination rates 43.4%
Test method Palpation / Ultrasonography / Mammography
Age of onset 20s to 60s, mostly 40s to 50s
Treatment methods Surgical therapy / Hormonal therapy / Radiation therapy / Anticancer drug therapy
Early detection checkpoints Lumps in the breasts

Bleeding nipples etc…

It is the most common cancer among women. It is estimated that one out of every 15 women in Japan will be affected at least once. The cause of the disease has not been elucidated, but it has been pointed out that it is caused by genetic factors and a westernized diet. Obesity and smoking are said to increase the risk of breast cancer, while exercise habits are said to decrease the risk. If detected early, the five-year survival rate is over 90%.

Cervical Cancer

Examination rates 42.1%
Test method Internal examination, cytological diagnosis, ultrasonography, MRI
Percentage of diseases diagnosed by tests 0.001 out of 10 adult women
Age of onset 20s to 70s
Treatment methods Surgical resection / Anticancer drug therapy / Radiation therapy
Early detection checkpoints Increased menstrual flow

Irregular bleeding

Bleeding after intercourse etc…

Cancer at the entrance of the uterus, caused by a virus. Anyone who has had sexual intercourse is at risk of developing the disease. It can be prevented with a vaccine, and if it is detected early with regular checkups, it is likely to be completely cured with just excision, but if it progresses and spreads, it can be fatal.

Ovarian Cancer

Test method Ultrasonography / MRI / Blood test
Age of onset 10s to 70s. Mostly in their 40s.
Treatment methods Surgical resection / Radiation therapy / Anticancer drug therapy
Early detection checkpoints Abdominal discomfort such as bloating etc…

It is a malignant tumor in the ovary that causes the secretion of female hormones and ovulation. It is known as a “silent killer” because it has no early symptoms. In addition to being caused by endometriosis or heredity, there are also cases where benign ovarian tumors become cancerous. Since metastasis is fatal, early detection is the key.

Early detection is the best way to prevent them from getting worse!

The above gynecological problems tend to have few subjective symptoms and are difficult to detect. Early detection of any disease is the best way to prevent it from getting worse, so make sure to have a checkup every two years.

Cervical cancer is only cancer that can be prevented by vaccines. Although side effects have been a problem, the vaccine has been called a ‘dream vaccine’ and is being actively administered in about 150 countries around the world. Gynecological checkups are essential to protect the lives of yourself and your future baby.

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