Honoring Women’s History Month: Health Issues That Uniquely Affect Women

Women’s History Month is about celebrating progress, which includes progress in healthcare. For generations, women’s symptoms were under-researched or misunderstood. Today, science increasingly recognizes that women experience certain health conditions exclusively or differently from men. 

The encouraging news is that with awareness, early detection, and preventative care, women can allow women to advocate for themselves and protect their long-term health. So, below are health issues that uniquely affect women, along with warning signs and evidence-based ways to stay proactive. 

1. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic, and often painful, inflammatory condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. According to the CDC, endometriosis can lead to pelvic pain, very heavy periods, and infertility, but sometimes no noticeable symptoms at all. 

It affects about 1 in 10 (roughly 190 million) women of reproductive age worldwide. According to the WHO, the cause is still unknown. 

Common symptoms: 

• Severe menstrual cramps that worsen over time
• Chronic pelvic and lower back pain
• Pain during sex
• Heavy periods
• Infertility
• Digestive issues around menstruation

To get ahead of this, track your cycle and pain patterns. Do not normalize severe pain; instead, seek evaluation from a gynecologist if cramps disrupt daily life. Lifestyle choices like regular exercise and anti-inflammatory diets may help reduce symptom severity. 

2. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is one of the most common hormone disorders affecting women of reproductive age. As of Jan. 22, it is estimated that 10–13% of women in the U.S. are affected. It is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, high androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries, but the cause is still unknown.  

Common Symptoms: 

• Irregular or missed periods
• Excess facial or body hair
• Acne
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Thinning hair
• Fertility challenges

Since symptoms vary widely, many women delay diagnosis for years, which impacts both physical and emotional health over time. But with early intervention, many women successfully regulate cycles and manage their PCOS. So, ask for hormone testing if cycles are consistently irregular, maintain steady blood sugar through balanced meals and strength training, and get annual screening for blood pressure to help prevent long-term complications. 

3. Cervical and Other Gynecologic Cancers

Gynecologic cancers are conditions that originate in a woman’s reproductive organs, such as: 

• Cervical cancer – cancer that develops in the lower part of the uterus. It is usually caused by an HPV infection that leads to abnormal cell growth. 
• Ovarian cancer – malignant tumors develop in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or peritoneum, caused by uncontrolled cell growth. 

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers due to regular screening and HPV vaccinations. Ovarian cancer is often detected late due to subtle early symptoms like bloating, feeling full quickly, or frequent urination. Routine screenings like Pap tests and access to vaccination dramatically reduce risk. 

4. Pregnancy-Related Complications 

Pregnancy is a unique experience for women and, for some, it can bring serious health challenges. The conditions below affect women during and after pregnancy:  

• Preeclampsia – severe headaches, vision changes, swelling in hands/face, and high blood pressure. 
• Gestational diabetes – often no obvious symptoms and usually detected through glucose screenings. 
• Postpartum depression – persistent sadness, difficulty bonding with baby, sleep changes beyond newborn patterns, feelings of hopelessness. 

Preeclampsia and gestational diabetes not only complicate pregnancy but also raise a woman’s long-term risk for heart disease later in life. Postpartum depression affects many new mothers who experience psychological and physical impacts that extend beyond the postpartum period. 

Pregnancy complications are medical conditions, not personal failures, and early care can help women drastically. 

5. Heart Disease 

One of the most persistent myths in healthcare is that heart disease primarily affects men. In reality, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S., accounting for roughly 1 in every 5 female deaths. According to the CDC, over 60 million U.S. women live with some form of heart disease, and only about 56% recognize heart disease as their top health risk. 

Also, women often experience different symptoms than men, such as nausea, shortness of breath, back or jaw discomfort, or extreme fatigue. Because the symptoms seem unrelated to a heart attack, diagnosis and treatment are often delayed for women. 

Risk factors include the traditional high blood pressure and diabetes, along with uniquely female experiences such as menopause, pregnancy complications, and autoimmune disease – all of which can elevate heart disease risk. The good news is that heart disease is largely preventable, and lifestyle changes can largely reduce risk.

6. Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. While they affect both sexes, about 80% of autoimmune disease patients are women. Diseases like: 

• Lupus – tiredness, fever, joint pain, stiffness, swelling, butterfly-shaped rash on face, fingers, and toes that turn white/blue when cold or stressed, shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, and brain fog. 
• Rheumatoid arthritis – painful, warm, or swollen joints, joint stiffness worse in the morning or after periods of rest, tiredness, fever, and not wanting to eat.
• Multiple sclerosis – numbness, lack of coordination, trouble walking, weakness, vision loss, double vision, blurry vision, vertigo, fatigue, slurred speech, brain fog, and mood changes.

All of which disproportionately impact women and often manifest during peak reproductive years, compounding personal and professional challenges. Reducing stress and getting physical activity play a supportive role in symptom management. 

7. Mental Health

While mental health conditions like anxiety and depression are not exclusive to women, they tend to occur at higher rates among women and are often influenced by biological (hormonal changes), social, and life experience factors, including reproductive health challenges and caregiving stress. These complex intersections further underscore the need for gender-sensitive mental health research and care. 

According to Deconstructing Stigma, when compared to men, women are twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety. Trauma is also highly prevalent in women because women experience higher levels of domestic violence and sexual abuse. This also means women are twice as likely to experience PTSD as men. 

The best ways to maintain mental health are reaching out for help, being honest with yourself, staying active, and prioritizing yourself. 

Progress begins with information, access, and self-advocacy. The conditions discussed here are not meant to alarm but to empower. Understanding the symptoms to watch for and the steps to take early, there’s a shift in actively shaping your long-term well-being. 

During Women’s History Month, celebrating women means listening to symptoms, scheduling preventive appointments, advocating for second opinions when necessary, and talking openly about health.