Medically reviewed by Dr. Unsa Mohsin.
“You’ll be fine.” “That’s just in your head.” “Take a panadol.” These are some of the most common phrases women hear when they mention that they’re not feeling well. Being a woman is not easy. All the women would agree on this as we know we go through a lot of changes right from birth, be it physical, hormonal or mental. There are various hurdles a woman has to face in her everyday life but she only comes out as a winner. For a woman to be equal or to achieve her ambitions, she has to take care of her health first as Women’s health should always be a priority.
It’s a fact that breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women all over the world. Apparently one in 22 urban women and one in 50 rural women are at risk of developing breast cancer. If we notice the research gap: less than 2% of publicly funded research is dedicated to reproductive health, despite the fact that Pakistan lags behind the Maternal Mortality Rate target set by the UN by almost 250%. Also, there’s 4 to 5 times more research into erectile dysfunction which affects 18-19% of men, than into premenstrual syndrome, which affects 85-90% of women. The global average fertility rate is 2.5 births per woman and a rate of 2.1 is the target. Pakistan’s fertility rate in 2020 was 3.45 per woman.
“Women have been woefully neglected in studies on pain. Most of our understanding of ailments comes from the perspective of men; it is overwhelmingly based on studies of men, carried out by men,” Anne Enright says.
Every woman over the age of 25 should schedule regular health checkups. After 25 it’s all about career, home, spouse and children. Women’s lives revolve around them. Above all their own health should be a priority. Below listed are some tests women should regularly run to keep themselves healthy and aware:
Blood tests – to check blood pressure, lipid profiles, fasting glucose and hemoglobin levels.
Thyroid test – women above 35 should go for thyroid tests as underactive thyroid gland or overactive thyroid gland has various effects such as weight gain, high cholesterol, mood swings or autoimmune disease.
Self Breast Examination – Every female should learn the self-examination from their doctors. Check once a month for any changes.
Pap smears and pelvic examinations – These tests are done to detect cervical cancer early. Every woman should get this test done once every 2 years.
Fertility Tests – Consult your gynaecologist for information on good health if trying to conceive. If you are a mother already then multivitamins and supplements are needed to keep up with the healthy lifestyle.
By making a few changes in life, women can accomplish a healthier and happier life. This women’s day let’s take a pledge to look after your health and stay fit.
YOU’RE WORTH IT!
