Women's Health

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis literally means "porous bones" and occurs from about the age of 40, and increases after menopause as oestrogen levels decrease. For this reason women are more likely to experience osteoporosis than men. It is not a painful condition, but the consequences of it eg a broken hip etc are painful.

Bones are a matrix of calcium compounds etc that knit together to form a dense hard structure. As they lose their density in osteoporosis they become weak and thin and more prone to breaking.

Risks

Your risk of osteoporosis later in life is increased by:

  • Experiencing menopause before 45 years
  • Had a hysterectomy
  • Periods have been irregular due to anorexia or over-exercising
  • Having a low BMI
  • Taking corticosteroids long term
  • Smoking or drinking alcohol a lot
  • Certain disease like endocrine disorders (Diabetes, Cushing's Syndrome or hyper-thyroid)
  • Being inactive
  • Family links like a close relative with it

Reducing the risk

  • Eat lots of foods containing calcium like: Diary, nuts, seeds and pulses, Dark green leafy vegetables
  • Increase your Vitamin D levels (sunlight helps the body make Vitamin D), or through milk, eggs and oily fish
  • Have regular exercise especially weight-bearing eg walking
  • Finally through medication like HRT (if suitable), calcium supplements, or special drugs that increase bone density (eg Alendronic Acid or Fosamax)

Ideally you want to have as much calcium in your diet during your twenties to early thirties, so that you establish nice healthy strong bones before they start to decline in your late thirties or forties.

Menopause

Between the age of 45 and 55, is when most women experience Menopause, when oestrogen levels begin to decline. The first sign may be irregular periods.

Also because of falling oestrogen levels there is the hot flushes and night sweats, vaginal drying which can cause painful sex, and Vaginal Thrush.

Oestrogen is also involved in regulating your bone density and protecting your heart, so as levels decrease these are things to look after and protect eg through diet.

Diet can make menopause more bearable eg:

  • Increase your fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet to mop up free radicals and increase energy levels
  • Increase bone density by eating calcium rich foods as above
  • Smoking increases the risks (bones and heart) above, so give it up
  • Reduce your intake of fats (saturated and trans) and sugars, as they can influence mood swings
  • Decrease your tea and coffee intake, and increase your water intake
  • Regular weight-bearing exercise builds up bone strength, helps your heart, and increases your good mood

Cystitis

Cystitis is a bacterial infection of the bladder leading to lower abdominal cramps, a burning sensation when passing urine and an increase in frequency of urination. Also there may be blood in the urine, backache, and a general feeling of unwellness.

Between 20 to 40 % of women will suffer, especially after menopause. Other causes are recent sexual activity ("honeymoon cystitis"), avoiding going to the toilet (eg away from home and not wanting to use the public toilets), and inadequate fluid intake.

There are medicines available to buy over-the-counter eg urinary alkalisers, also drink plenty of water to flush out the urinary tract system, and some studies have suggested cranberry juice may be of benefit.

Prevention can be achieved through:

  • Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day
  • Going to the toilet soon after sex
  • Wiping from front to back, not back to front, after using the toilet
  • Wear loose clothing and cotton underwear