Female health and the changing times
THE lives of Malaysian women, as active members of a constantly evolving society, are swayed by waves and shifts in human development.
Although positive changes such as increased participation in the workforce and greater economic independence are areas to be celebrated and continuously fought for, women are also feeling some of the negative health effects that can come with the less merry side of modern living.
Busy schedules and high-stress work environments, part and parcel of many an urban professional’s life, can influence the day-to-day choices that ultimately affect the diseases one develops.
Being physically different to men, women should be aware of specific medical conditions that they are susceptible to – conditions that could possibly be avoided if some thought were given to one’s lifestyle choices.
Unhealthy routines
Dr Chua Peng Teng, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, and member of Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Malaysia, shares, “Diseases tend to evolve in tandem with society’s progress. In the fastpaced modern world, women are working overtime more often, staying up late, and relying more on fast food in their daily lives.”
These seemingly common and trivial habits may not sound scary, but they can contribute to a range of gynaecological issues. For example, obesity – which may be a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices
– has been linked to increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.
The positive association between this cancer type and high body mass index has been highlighted in a 2016 report titled Body Fatness and Cancer – Viewpoint of the IARC Working Group published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr Chua puts forth that endometrial or uterine cancer can be attributed to obesity as well, since excess weight may cause an increase in oestrogenic stimulation of the endometrium – resulting in hyperplasia (an abnormal increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue).
“A lot of women who are obese also experience menstrual irregularities and unpredictable menstrual bleeding, which can be very distressing,” says Dr Chua, adding that a number of these patients eventually experience difficulty conceiving.
A doctor may consider lifestyle factors as potential causes for this, after taking into account conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, adenomyosis and pelvic inflammatory diseases.
Often, the determinant that affects a person’s unhealthy choices goes beyond the stress of work or the availability of time. The immediate environment itself can play a definite role in whether someone exercises.
Dr Chua explains that urban areas that lack exercise facilities, jogging tracks and playgrounds have persistently led to lack of physical activity among women. Not everyone can afford membership at a luxurious gym, where the best in exercise equipment are laid out invitingly in front of you.
Besides this, a change in lifestyle regarding sexual choices is also contributing to the increase in infectious diseases. For instance, human papillomavirus (HPV) – a cause of cervical cancer – has gained attention in recent years.
“Lifestyle habits such as having multiple sexual partners and early engagement in sexual intercourse may predispose women to such diseases.
“The good news is that many countries have now adopted national immunisation strategies in an attempt to eradicate these diseases, but strong commitment is needed to succeed in this venture,” says Dr Chua.
In Malaysia, public schools provide free HPV vaccinations for teenage girls. A current government programme also offers single Malaysian women (born between 1991 and 1996) free HPV shots – although this is subject to a quota of 27,000 women.
Other than a shift in sexual behaviour, there are many other lifestyle habits that modern women have picked up, leading to some detrimental health outcomes:
l Smoking – Results in upper respiratory tract infections and lung cancer
l Alcohol consumption – Results in gastric issues
l Lack of dietary fibre – Predisposes one to constipation and colonic diseases
l Avoidance of breast feeding – Benefit of lowering breast cancer risk is not utilised
l Exposure to solar radiation – Increases risk of skin cancer
Making the right choices
Knowing the behaviours that contribute to the development of gynaecological problems will help you consciously navigate through your day-to-day choices, allowing you to reap the best of positive health outcomes.
Putting in effort to exercise regularly and avoiding sedentary habits is highly important. Find the time, even if it is just for five minutes a day, to engage in a physical workout. These little choices, accumulated in the long run, will be some of the best decisions you can make for your physical and mental health.
On top of exercise, diet plays an essential role in your gynaecological health. A balanced diet with good dietary fibre such as fruits and vegetables should take precedence over carbohydrates and sugar.
Maintaining a healthy sexual life is also critical. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or diseases can be easily incurred when one is not careful.
According to the World Health Organization, more than one million STIs are acquired every day worldwide. STIs such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia are major causes of pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women.
“It is especially important to consider barrier contraceptives. Although not a foolproof method for avoiding sexually transmitted diseases, it may reduce the risk of contraction,” offers Dr Chua.
It is also recommended for women to have regular gynaecological check-ups, with emphasis on cancer screening. Cervical screening, which aims to detect cervical cancer in its early stages, can be done using a smear test or liquid-based cytology.
“There has been a recent emphasis on shifting from cervical smear screening to HPV DNA detection. Such tests are common in some countries, for example in Australia, where detection rates are good.
“It has been found to be superior to the conventional pap smear and liquid-based cytology. The only drawback is the cost, hence it is not yet widely accepted,” he discloses.
Dr Chua points out that most women seek help from gynaecologists when it is too late. This could be due to a lack of time to access healthcare (because of a hectic work or home schedule), personal or cultural reasons, the stigma from society that one experiences when a sexually transmitted disease is diagnosed, or the fear of finding out that one has cancer.
“Many women are concerned that if they find out they have cancer, they will experience a loss of hope and dignity. There should be a change in mindset as early diagnosis and treatment can often yield good results.
“These days, there is increasing focus on diagnosing stage zero and preinvasive diseases. Many diseases can now be prevented instead of finding a cure, hence women should be more proactive in seeking early help,” says Dr Chua.
Last but not least, it is essential that you visit a licensed medical professional for advice before taking any medication. This is because unlicensed medications or supplements may contain steroids or hormonal components that are difficult to verify.
Dr Chua shares that these dubious components could possibly lead to a higher risk of developing diseases such as diabetes or cancer.
Give it a second thought
The old adage of “prevention is better than cure” could not ring truer. With the current technologies in place to help detect diseases in early stages and knowledge of lifestyle factors that lead to gynaecological conditions, women can now take the necessary steps towards better physical and mental wellness.
Highlighting the significance of this, Dr Chua recommends that women see their gynaecologists regularly for health screenings and preventative measures for certain medical problems.
Although it may sometimes appear difficult to make healthy choices with a busy or hectic lifestyle, it is not impossible.
Save yourself from further troubles down the line by making the essential changes today.