Over the years, a woman's body goes through many changes – from the menstrual cycle to menopause. But, unfortunately, women's health is less studied than men's. Until the early 1990s, women were excluded from most clinical trials. (Yes, just 30 years ago!)
But today, there are specialists and clinics dedicated solely to women's health. Here are 9 things women's health doctors say they would never, ever do themselves:
1. Don't underestimate the importance of movement.
“Move throughout the day,” says Dr. Priya Freaney, a women's heart health specialist.
"You don't need to go to the gym every day. Even a little stretching or a walk with the baby stroller helps a lot."
Dr. Brintha Vasagar adds that, compared to previous generations, we are far less physically active today. “The heart is the number one killer for women, so every movement counts.”
2. They don't neglect food.
Dr. Clara Paik eats as much fresh produce as possible and as little meat as possible. Dr. Vasagar avoids processed foods, while Dr. Freaney follows the 80/20 rule: 80% healthy food, 20% for pleasure.
“That piece of dessert that brings you happiness – it's not 'sin,' it's balance,” says Freaney.
3. They don't ignore their body "numbers."
Blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, weight, all are numbers you should know in advance, not when a problem arises.
“Prevention is better than cure,” Vasagar emphasizes. “The earlier you know where you are, the sooner you can make changes that will prolong your life.”
4. They don't ignore the risk of heart disease.
More women than you think suffer from some form of heart disease – and 80% of cases are preventable!
“The heart doesn't always give you warning. Symptoms can be hidden for years,” says the doctor. “So it's always a good time to take care of your cardiovascular health.”
5. They do not use scented products for the intimate area.
“Never do it,” Dr. Paik says emphatically. “Creams, scented soaps—they all disrupt the natural flora of the vagina.”
She adds that plain water is sufficient for intimate hygiene. “More care doesn’t mean better. In fact, it can make things worse.”
6. They don't forget about pre-pregnancy vitamins.
“If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, start taking prenatal vitamins,” says Dr. Paik.
They contain high doses of folic acid – essential for healthy fetal development and prevention of spinal deformities.
7. They do not neglect the long-term health complications of pregnancy.
If you've had preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, you may be at risk for heart disease in the future - even if all your postpartum tests look "normal."
"Have open conversations with your doctor. Knowing about this risk could save your life," says Freaney.
8. Don't suffer in silence during perimenopause and menopause.
“Every woman experiences this phase differently, but it's not something you have to go through alone or endure,” explains Dr. Paik.
She herself says that she realized that this is the "second half of life" and started taking better care of herself. Nutrition, physical activity, and hormonal treatments can help a lot.
“We are learning more and more about the benefits of hormone therapy – not just for symptoms, but also for heart and bone health,” adds Vasagar.
9. They don't ignore the impact of menopause on the heart.
Menopause doesn't just bring night sweats or mood swings. It has a powerful impact on the cardiovascular system.
"When estrogen levels drop, bad cholesterol goes up, good cholesterol goes down. Muscle mass goes down, fat goes up. And the heart is the one that suffers the most," explains Dr. Freaney.
During this period, be more attentive than ever to your heart.
Source: Huff Post
