Maintaining Women's Health

It seems like women's health is one of the most talked-about, politicized areas of health in the United States.  When someone is running for office, their stance on women's health is a top issue for many voters.  Yet for all of this talk and politics surrounding women's health, I find the actual research, information, and care options are woefully lacking.  Unfortunately, when politicians talk about women's health, what they usually mean is abortion access.  They are not actually interested in health issues that affect women specifically or in finding cures or treatments for women-specific health issues.  So, what can women do to maintain their health?  I am not a medical professional, and there is a lack of research in this area, but here are my personal suggestions.

Know that children are not a problem or condition.  Children are a blessing from the Lord.  Seek natural and healthy lifestyles and childbearing.  While we must be cautious with what we use while pregnant, I, personally, take a less invasive approach to pregnancy.  Unless there is an issue or higher risk due to previous loss or complications, I do not see the need for multiple tests or ultrasounds.  I have yet to be convinced of the safety and necessity of such testing.  I usually hold off on any ultrasounds until 18-20 weeks.  I also avoid any immunizations while pregnant as there is yet to be any definitive proof that these are helpful and not harmful to the developing baby.  Ultimately, each couple must decide for themselves what they are most comfortable with and how they wish for pregnancy and delivery to proceed.  We can't control everything, but it is important to research what you want, find a provider that will work with you and support your approach, and not allow yourself to be bullied into following someone else's ideas.  Especially if you are a first-time mom, know that you have choices!

When we talk about women's health, we must also consider issues such as amenorrhea, endometriosis, unexplained pain or long periods, irregular periods, infertility, multiple miscarriages, and various cancers affecting a woman's reproductive system.  Avoid synthetic, hormonal birth control options.  Birth control pills and the like have been thrown at every condition from acne to menstrual cramps.  When I called the doctor concerning extremely long and painful periods, I was offered birth control.  I did not want to prevent pregnancy, and I have moral and ethical objections, so they suggested a higher dose of ibuprofen.  Neither of these options was a solution to my problem, simply a way to mask the symptoms.  Birth control is not the be-all, end-all of women's health that it has been put forward as.  In fact, it may be related to a rising number of fertility issues faced by women today.  Hormonal birth control options stop or block the production of various hormones in your body.  Some of these options prevent ovulation.  Other options cause a hardening of the uterus so a baby would not be able to implant.  Aside from the moral and ethical issues related to abortion, messing with your hormones and regular body functions can be dangerous, especially over long periods of time.  There are now warnings on many of these products that it may cause difficulty getting pregnant or a greater likelihood of miscarriage in the months immediately following the discontinuation of use.  There may be evidence of a greater risk of breast, ovarian, or other types of cancers affecting the female reproductive system.  If you wish to prevent pregnancy, there are other options.  I strongly urge you to avoid hormonal contraceptives, especially if you are looking for a solution to a problem rather than just preventing pregnancy.  

I strongly believe women should advocate for more research.  I will say, we have come much farther than when my mother was a teenager and told that painful periods were all "in her head" and that she "just wanted attention."  We now have doctors who focus specifically on women's health. When you are offered birth control for every complaint, ask for other options.  Seek to find solutions to the actual problem rather than just something to mask the symptoms.  There must be more solutions than just taking birth control or cutting it out!   Natural solutions may be possible, however, sometimes there are more severe issues that these natural solutions cannot solve.  If we want more research, then we should be willing to allow our case to be studied for that research.  Seek out alternative treatments and a doctor that will work with you to find a solution rather than just mask symptoms.  Also, be prayerful and consider options that are in keeping with God's word.  Not every treatment proposed by the world is ethically obtained.  I recently learned that some treatments and vaccines use aborted fetal cells.  I have issues with using aborted babies to improve my own health when there are other, more ethical ways of obtaining stem cells, such as umbilical stem cells.  

While there are many health issues that are common to men and women, there are some that are gender-specific.  Women should be proactive in trying to prevent problems with natural means.  Did you know that breastfeeding is not only the best source of nutrition for your baby, but it also helps reduce your risk of breast cancer?  Did you know mammograms are not the only breast health screening tool?  Have you researched your health options?  Have you considered all approaches?  Have you found a doctor that will work with you in seeking solutions rather than just masking symptoms?  Pray, research, and take charge of your own health.