National Women’s Health Week is underway. It began on Mother’s Day and continues until May 17. Health Week also is part of National Women’s Health Month.
The idea for National Women’s Health Month began in the 1960s and 1970s. The goal was to address the unique health challenges women face in their lifetimes.
In 2000, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established National Women’s Health Week.
Women Vs. Men’s Health
MCM spoke with Dr. Reha Pokharel, a primary care physician with Adventist HealthCare at White Oak Medical Center. She said women face unique medical challenges compared with men.
“Some of the diseases more common in women include breast cancer, osteoporosis, and stroke. Women go through different stages of life based on their hormonal fluctuations, so that puts them at risk of different diseases at different times in their life,” Pokharel said.
“Breast cancer is very common in women; almost one in eight women can get it. Osteoporosis, which is a bone disease, often happens in women. Doctors will check for that in women. And it’s not even recommended that doctors check for osteoporosis in men,” she added.
Heart Disease Risk
Heart disease can happen in both men and women. However, Pokharel said a woman’s risk of having a heart attack goes up after menopause because her body will produce less estrogen and progesterone. Those hormones protect women from heart issues during a woman’s reproductive years.
Roxana Hoveyda is a spokesperson for the American Heart Association (AHA). She explained cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women. Nearly half of women ages 20 and older have heart disease, but many women remain unaware of this health threat.
“Most cardiac and stroke events can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes such as moving more, eating smart, and managing blood pressure.” Hoveyda said.
AHA is marking National Women’s Health Week by urging women to wear red and to prioritize their health.
“Women often place their own health on the back burner or are undertreated, dismissed, or misdiagnosed when they seek care,” Hoveyda explained.
“It is important for women to help themselves first before they help others. Start by arranging an annual physical exam with a primary care doctor. Get all of the basic screening labs. Women also need to check for cancers such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colon cancer and get those screenings for those diseases,” Pokharel said.
Checkups For Women
Doctors recommend women get their first mammogram when they turn 40 and their first colonoscopy at 45. But doctors could recommend these tests take place earlier if women have a family history of breast or colon cancer.
As women age, their metabolism slows down. Changes in hormone levels also can impact a woman’s metabolism. That can make it harder for women to lose weight.
Pokharel recommends women stay vigilant with their diet and exercise. She also suggests women get enough sleep and control their stress.
“Stress hormones in your body can cause problems and can lead to things like hypertension and high cholesterol,” Pokharel said.
Staying Healthy
She explained women who want to remain healthy should not smoke, avoid drugs and stay away from heavy alcohol use. Women should also see their primary care doctor and gynecologist regularly. She recommends women have breast exams regularly and blood work once a year to make sure an individual is not developing diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
Each year, organizers of National Women’s Health Month focus on a theme. This year’s theme is ‘Know Your Pelvic Floor’.
Pokharel explained after a woman gives birth, her pelvic floor often is stretched. That can cause muscle and tissue weaknesses. Those weaknesses can affect pelvic organs such as the bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum. Pokharel said women can usually strengthen their pelvic floor by doing exercises at home. If those exercises do not work, surgery is an option.
She said overall it is important that women prioritize their health and themselves. That means staying mentally, emotionally, and physically fit.
Upcoming Health Events
Here are some upcoming events in the region for women looking to get in some exercise and some health advice.
Adventist HealthCare plans to sponsor a Zumba class this month at the Rio Boardwalk stage in Gaithersburg. The event was supposed to take place on May 14, but it was postponed because of the rainy weather. A make-up date is still in the works.
On Saturday, May 17, the DC bar partners with the American Heart Association for a 10K, 5K, and Fun Walk. The name of the event is ‘Lawyers Have Heart’. It will take place at West Potomac Park in Washington, DC from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
On Sunday, May 18, Kaiser Permanente hosts an event called ‘Healthy at the Harbor’. It will take place at National Harbor, and health screenings for women will be available. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 pm.
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