Top 10 Womenβs Health Myths
If youβre female, youβve probably heard of womenβs health. You may even have some misconceptions about what it covers and how important it is to pay attention to your health as well as the health of other women around you. This article will go over the top 10 myths about womenβs health, debunking them once and for all so that you can make educated decisions about your own body, reproductive system, and overall health.
Myth #1
Diet and exercise can cause weight loss. This couldnβt be further from the truth! You see, if you take in fewer calories than your body uses each day, it will need to use its stored energy stores for fuel. These energy stores are mostly made up of fat. But when you begin a diet and exercise program without reducing calorie intake, you can end up gaining more fat than you lose because your body is trying to replenish these energy stores while also burning fat at a faster rate.
Myth #2
Only girls get breasts cancer, but all girls can get it. It is a common myth that breast cancer only affects women, but all women are at risk of getting breast cancer. Men can also develop breast cancer and should be aware of some of its warning signs and symptoms. If a man notices a lump or change in size or shape of his breasts, or he feels pain or tenderness, he should see his doctor as soon as possible for further evaluation.
Myth #3
You can be healthy at any size. : The fact is, you canβt! Being overweight or obese puts you at risk for several diseases and illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and even cancer. When it comes to staying healthy, size does matterβand sometimes less is more!
Myth #4
Girls mature faster than boys. Not true. Girls and boys both go through puberty in their early teens, but girls tend to start earlierβusually between 8 and 13βwhereas boys hit puberty later, usually between 12 and 15. It might seem like your daughter is ready for anything long before your son is, but donβt worry; he will catch up eventually.
Myth #5
You Need a Pap Smear Every Year. What Is a Pap Smear? A pap smear is often called a pelvic exam. During a pelvic exam, your doctor will check for vaginal infections, abnormal discharge, cervical cancer, or other conditions that might affect your reproductive organs. Since pap smears can be painful and uncomfortable, many women choose to skip them after their first screening test shows no signs of cancer or infection.
Myth #6
Taking a Multivitamin Will Prevent Old Age Dementia If you have concerns about getting enough vitamins from your food, a daily multivitamin is an easy way to fill in any gaps. However, if you already eat an overall healthy diet, there are not many benefits to taking one at all. Some studies have suggested that taking certain individual vitamins and minerals (like Vitamin B12) may help to ward off certain medical conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Myth #7
Birth Control Pills are Safe. While they can help regulate periods and even help with pain associated with cramps, most birth control pills have more than one hormone that affects your body, which can lead to other issues like weight gain or even depression. If you want a low-hormone birth control pill, consider an IUD (intrauterine device) or a barrier method like condoms.
Myth #8
You can tell if a woman is pregnant by touching her belly. (False) You can’t always tell if a woman is pregnant just by touching her belly. Some women get bigger bellies as they gain weight, or experience bloating that makes their bellies look different from one day to another. Furthermore, it’s not uncommon for other body parts such as arms and legs to swell during pregnancy due to increased blood flow and hormonal changes. Before you go patting anyone’s stomach, ask permission first!
Myth #9
Only women with PCOS have ovarian cysts. Truth: Any woman can get ovarian cysts at any time, including if she does not have PCOS. These small fluid-filled sacs are typically benign, but because they grow on a womanβs ovaries and can lead to complications, it is important to treat them quickly. Our infertility specialists provide treatment for all types of ovarian cysts from simple ones that go away on their own to complex ones that need surgery to resolve.
Myth #10. All women ovulate on day 14 in their menstrual cycle
Not true. For example, some women ovulate a few days before or after day 14; others ovulate on different days each month. And since youβre more likely to get pregnant if you have sex during your most fertile timeβthat is, around day 14 of your cycleβitβs important to know when that is for you.
