Women’s Health: Types, Prevention and Other Issues

Women's health is an example of population health. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as "a condition of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not only the absence of either infirmity or disease." Larger groups argue for a broader definition of women's total health, which might be described well as "the health of women," and is often referred to as "women's reproductive health." Women are biologically distinct from men, and they are more prone to sickness than men. Some health difficulties are exclusive to them. 

  • Complications during pregnancy, abnormal menstruation, and disorders affecting specific female organs such as the breasts, ovaries, and so on are among the most common health concerns.
  • Other more diseases affect both men and women, but women are affected differently.
  • Heart disease, for example, is more severe in women than in men, as are sexually transmitted infections and osteoarthritis. 

Key words: Women, Health, cancer, depression, sexually transmitted disease, HIV, breast cancer, women health.

Also Read: Reproductive Health


Types of Women’s Health Issues

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Women’s health issues are of many types and due to many different causes.

Cancer in Women

According to statistics, there are two types of cancer: breast cancer and cervical cancer, both of which kill roughly a million women each year. Especially in third-world nations, when early detection awareness and opportunities are limited, and women's health care is in poor condition. If both of these malignancies are found in their early stages, they may be cured or delayed. Many factors can contribute to the development of breast cancer. Genes, atypical menstruation, obesity, breast biopsy, radiation, and medication are all possibilities.

Depression in Women

Women are more prone to depression and other psychiatric illnesses than men, according to research. According to a recent poll, around 12 million women are affected by depression each year, which is nearly double the number of men.

  • Stress and depression cause women's suicide rates to be substantially greater than men's.
  • Changes in hormone levels, especially before and after pregnancy and menopause, can be used to determine the reasons for depression in women.
  • Medication, marital issues, heart ailments, other deadly diseases, drug or other substance misuses, work strain, and so on are some of the other factors.
  • It's critical to raise awareness of mental health issues among women and give them the confidence to seek help.

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Sexually Transmitted Disease in Women

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) affect women more frequently and severely than males, as they do with many other diseases. There are numerous sexually transmitted illnesses, but only a few are fatal. HIV infection, often known as AIDS, is one of the most prevalent and deadly STDs in women.

  • Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Herpes, and trichomoniases are some of the other sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
  • All of these diseases have various symptoms and treatments, but if caught early enough, they can be cured or slowed.
  • Every year, untreated syphilis causes over 200,000 stillbirths and early fetal deaths, as well as the deaths of over 90,000 newborns.

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Prevention of Women’s Health Issues

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Disturbed Medical conditions can be prevented by taking certain steps before development of such conditions.

Prevention of Cancer in Women

There are a few things women may do to lower the  chances of getting cancer as a woman. Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat a low-saturated-fat diet, and avoid alcohol. Breastfeeding mothers had a lower risk of breast cancer than non-breastfeeding mothers, according to studies.

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Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Disease in Women

There are a few methods to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.

  • Every time you have sex, use latex condoms. Make sure the lubricant you're using is water-based. For the entire intercourse act, use condoms.
  • Towels should not be shared.
  • Before and after intercourse, wash your hands.
  • Get a hepatitis B immunization. This is a three-shot sequence.
  • Obtain an HIV test.

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Other Health Issues

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Aside from cancer, depression, and sexually transmitted illnesses, women face a variety of health challenges.

  • For women between the ages of 15 and 44, sexual and reproductive health disorders account for one-third of all health difficulties.
  • Unsafe sex is a substantial risk factor for women and girls, especially in developing nations.
  • Nearly 300,000 women died in 2013 as a result of problems during pregnancy and childbirth.
  • Women are vulnerable to a variety of sorts of violence, but physical and sexual abuse, whether perpetrated by a spouse or by someone else, is particularly heinous.

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Things to Remember

  • Women faces several health issues during the entire life.
  • Health issues in woman is distinct from man, as she deals with pragnancy, child delievry, menstruation and manopause.
  • STDs affect woman differently than man.
  • Depression, hormonal imbalances, PCOD, abnormal menses, breast and cervical cancer are some common examples.
  • All these conditions can be prevented by developing a proper hygineic habits, diet and discipline.
  • Women are vulnerable to a variety of sorts of violence, but physical and sexual abuse, whether perpetrated by a spouse or by someone else, is particularly heinous.

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Sample Questions

Ques: What precautions should one take to avoid catching STDs? (2 marks)

Ans: Through sexual contact, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are passed from one person to the next. As a result, it can be avoided by: The use of contraceptives during intercourse, such as condoms, can help prevent the spread of certain diseases. Sexual relations with unknown or several partners should be avoided because they may carry diseases. A regular medical checkup is required to maintain excellent health.

Ques: Is it ethical to use contraceptives? Justify your answer. (3 marks)

Ans: Contraceptive use is justified because of the following reasons:

1) Contraceptive devices aid in the prevention of undesired pregnancies, lowering the birth rate and thereby preventing population growth.

2) Contraceptives allow for family planning by spacing pregnancies and preventing unwanted pregnancies.

3) Contraceptives help to reduce the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS.

Ques: What role does reproductive health play in society, in your opinion? (2 marks)

Ans: In society, reproductive health aids in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and the ability to create offspring with higher survival rates. It also aids in population control and the avoidance of undesired pregnancies.

Ques: Mention a few symptoms of cancer that women should be aware of. (5 marks)

Ans: There are ten cancer symptoms that every woman should be aware of.

  1. Abnormal Vaginal bleeding: When a woman is diagnosed with endometrial cancer, she will have irregular bleeding in more than 90% of cases. This could indicate cervical or vaginal cancer.
  2. Weight loss that isn't explained: Consult your doctor if you lose more than 10 pounds without changing your diet or exercise routine.
  3. Vaginal discharge that is reddish-brown: Infection is frequently indicated by a bloody, black, or odorous discharge. It can, however, be an indication of cervical, vaginal, or endometrial cancer.
  4. Constant exhaustion: Stop blaming your hurried life and consult your doctor if exhaustion is interfering with your work or leisure activities.
  5. Anorexia nervosa: nervous Changes in appetite could be a sign of ovarian cancer or other diseases unrelated to the reproductive system.

Ques: What are the most prevalent health problems among women? (3 marks)

Ans: Here are some of the most common health issues that women face:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke.
  • Diabetes
  • Maternal health issues
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Breast cancer
  • Osteoporosis.

Ques: What are two illnesses that affect only women? (2 marks)

Ans: Uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and primary ovarian insufficiency are all connected to infertility. Turner syndrome, Rett syndrome, and ovarian and cervical malignancies are other illnesses and conditions that only affect women.

Ques: What factors have an impact on women's health? (2 marks)

Ans: Pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are all major life upheavals that can cause physical and emotional stress in women. Infertility and prenatal loss, poverty, prejudice, violence, unemployment, and isolation are all negative life circumstances that have an impact on women's mental health and wellness.

Ques: How can sexually transmitted diseases in women be prevented? (3 marks)

Ans: There are a few methods to protect women from sexually transmitted diseases.

  • Every time you have sex, use latex condoms. Make sure the lubricant you're using is water-based. For the entire intercourse act, use condoms.
  • Towels should not be shared.
  • Before and after intercourse, wash your hands.
  • Get a hepatitis B immunization. This is a three-shot sequence.
  • Obtain an HIV test.

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CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

  • 1.
    Name the phenomenon that leads to situations like ‘XO’ abnormality in humans. Also name this genetic disorder. How are individuals with an XO chromosomal abnormality affected? Write its symptoms as well as karyotype.


      • 2.
        Draw a labelled two-celled structure of male gametophyte of an angiosperm.
        Name the three layers that surround the cytoplasm of a male gametophyte starting from innermost to outermost layer.
        (iii) Which organic material makes the outermost layer? Mention its advantage.
        (iv) Why is the outermost layer of male gametophyte not continuous ?


          • 3.
            What is meant by translation in protein synthesis?
            Explain charging of tRNA (aminoacylation of tRNA) and mention its importance in the process of translation.


              • 4.
                Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
                India is one of the megadiverse countries housing around 8·1 per cent of global species diversity, although its land area is only 2·4 per cent of the world’s land area. Many of the species are highly threatened due to human activities like deforestation, mining and habitat fragmentation. Laws like Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 were enacted by the Government of India to preserve our biological wealth. Various conservation measures are being implemented to save the threatened species. The following bar graph shows the number of species conserved under different biodiversity conservation methods.

                Which other methods shown in the diagram are opposite to the one identified by you in question ? How are these two conservation approaches different?
                (c) Write two features of Biodiversity hotspots.
                (c) To which category do sacred groves belong and how do they help in bio-conservation?


                  • 5.
                    What is the carrying capacity of a species in a habitat?
                    Explain the growth curve that takes this capacity into account.


                      • 6.
                        Explain any two basic principles/core techniques on which biotechnology is based.
                        Describe any three key tools used in Recombinant DNA technology.

                          CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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