Severe menstrual pain, urine leakage, very irregular periods, hot flashes or sleep disturbances are symptoms that many women They have learned to consider normal.
However, women’s health specialists warn that this perception can delay diagnoses and treatments that would significantly improve the quality of life.
The specialist in menopause and member of the Spanish Association for the Study of Menopause, Victoria Valdes, argues that «women’s health has traditionally been undervalued,» which «has made many accept as normal symptoms that can and should be treated«.
As a consequence of this situation, many patients end up accepting persistent discomfort that, in reality, They may be associated with pathologies or hormonal alterations that require medical attention.
According to the specialist, the problem not only affects daily well-being. You can also delay the diagnosis of diseases such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome, two disorders that continue to be underdiagnosed and that can significantly impact the health of millions of women.
The importance of stopping normalizing certain symptoms
The message from the specialists is clear: Not everything that happens frequently should be considered normal. many women They live for years with discomforts that affect their routine because they believe that they are an inevitable part of menstruation, motherhood or menopause.
Valdés explains that behind apparently common symptoms there may be diseases that need medical evaluation.
Although she recognizes that some pathologies are not always easy to identify, she highlights that more and more women consult when they have painful periods or very irregular cycles, which is allowing for improved diagnoses and treatments.
The specialist also points out that one of the great challenges continues to be combat the idea that the suffering associated with certain stages of a woman’s life should be accepted without looking for solutions.
Symptoms that should not be ignored
On the occasion of the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, specialists recalled some of the discomforts that require attention and that should not be assumed as inevitable.
Among them are:
- Intense menstrual pain.
- Very irregular rules.
- Frequent or severe hot flashes.
- Persistent sleep disturbances.
- Urine loss.
- Anxiety associated with hormonal changes.
- Difficulty concentrating during menopause.
Experts emphasize that these symptoms may be linked to gynecological diseases, hormonal alterations or physiological changes that have therapeutic options available. That is why they recommend consulting if you have any persistent symptoms or when a worsening of the usual situation is observed.
The case of menopause and urine leakage, two problems still surrounded by stigma
One of the areas where there is still the most lack of knowledge is menopause. According to Valdés, it is usually interpreted only as the end of the reproductive stage, when in reality it implies hormonal changes with effects on multiple organs and systems of the body.
The specialist explains that Estrogens act on the brain, joints and cardiovascular system. Therefore, hormonal decline can cause hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety or difficulties concentrating.
Another common problem is pelvic floor disorders and urine loss. many women they delay the consultation out of embarrassment or because they believe that it is an inevitable consequence of aging.
However, Valdés remembers that there are multiple medical and surgical treatments capable of significantly improving quality of life.
The specialist concludes that No woman should resign herself to living with symptoms that affect her well-being. On the contrary, it insists that health education, awareness and early medical consultation are essential tools to access appropriate diagnoses and treatments.
