Women’s Health Clinic in East Bridgewater, MA

Women’s health is the area of medicine dedicated to the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of diseases and conditions that affect a woman’s physical and emotional well-being.

A women’s healthcare doctor does annual physical exams, pelvic exams, pap smears, and family planning as well as providing other services such as hormone replacement therapy and preventive vaccinations to help with overall health and well-being.

Even though men and women can both develop certain conditions, some are more common in women and affect them differently. Women have particular health concerns such as breast, ovarian, or cervical cancer, menopause, and pregnancy. Among the conditions most common in women, the following pose the most risk:

Heart Disease
– According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is responsible for one in every four deaths among women in the U.S. Although heart disease affects males and females nearly equally death from heart attacks is higher in women compared to men.

Breast Cancer
– Breast cancer is the most aggressive cancer affecting the global female population and tends to be more common in developed nations due to women living longer.

Ovarian and Cervical Cancer
– Ovarian cancer is very complex. It starts in the fallopian tubes and causes similar pain to cervical cancer although other symptoms of ovarian cancer are very vague.

– Cervical cancer originates in the lower part of the uterus and causes pain and discharge during intercourse.

Pap smears can detect cervical cancer but not that of the ovaries.

Gynecological Health
– Bleeding and discharge are a normal part of the menstrual cycle, however, added symptoms during menstruation may indicate underlying health issues. Unusual symptoms, such as bleeding between periods and frequent urinating, can mimic other health conditions such as endometrial cancer, cystitis, or diabetes.  Vaginal problems could also indicate serious problems such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or reproductive tract cancer. If left unchecked mild infections can lead to kidney failure or infertility.

Pregnancy Issues
– Pre-existing conditions can worsen during pregnancy, causing complications that can threaten the health of a mother and her child. These include:

– Asthma
– Diabetes
– Anemia – caused when the mother’s red blood cell count drops
– Depression – due to pregnancy-related hormonal changes.
– Pregnancy loss (miscarriage and stillbirth) 
– Preterm labor and premature birth 

Autoimmune Diseases
– Autoimmune diseases are becoming more prevalent in today’s society and it is still unknown why women are more prone to developing them than men. While there are many different autoimmune diseases, most share symptoms such as exhaustion, low-grade fever, pain, skin irritation, or vertigo. As much of the autoimmune system is located in the stomach, many people choose to take self-help preventive measures such as consuming less fat and sugar, reducing toxins typically found in processed and fast food, limiting alcohol and tobacco use, and lowering stress.

Osteoporosis 
– Also known as “brittle bone disease” osteoporosis is a condition in which bone mass is broken down causing them to weaken and break easily. This, again, occurs mostly in women and can be caused by several factors, such as:

– Age
– Alcohol consumption
– Certain prescriptions
– Genetics
– Lack of exercise
– Low body mass
– Smoking
– Steroid use

While there is no cure, treatment can slow its progression, which might include dietary supplements, healthy lifestyle choices, or prescription medication.

Depression and Anxiety
– Natural hormonal fluctuations during a woman’s life can lead to depression or anxiety. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is common among women of menstruating age, while premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD) presents similar, but greatly intensified, symptoms. Many mothers experience a short but intense form of depression called the “baby blues” shortly after giving birth, while post-partum depression causes similar but longer-lasting issues such as mood swings, sadness, and tiredness. Perimenopause, the period leading into menopause, can also cause depression.

Some other women’s health-related conditions are:

– Urinary tract problems, including pelvic floor disorders and urinary incontinence
– Bacterial vaginosis and vaginitis 
– Uterine fibroids 
– Vulvodynia – acute pain or discomfort around the vulva
– Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), 
– Endometriosis
– Primary ovarian insufficiency –when the ovaries stop working before a woman is 40.

For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 401 N Bedford St, East Bridgewater, MA 02333. We serve patients from Abington MA, Easton MA, Taunton MA,  Brockton MA, West Bridgewater MA, Raynham MA, and surrounding areas.