What are the frequently asked questions about women’s health?

Judging from my gynecological outpatient consultations in recent years and the data from community women's health surveys, the most common health problems encountered by women are basically reproductive endocrine disorders, benign breast lesions, pelvic floor dysfunction, and metabolic-related abnormalities. Most of them are related to women's unique hormone fluctuation patterns, childbirth experiences, and current life pressures and habits.

The female endocrine system is like a delicate balance. Staying up late at night, getting sulky, or excessively dieting to lose ten pounds can tip the weight off. The first sign of this is irregular menstruation. A while ago, I saw a 28-year-old Internet operator. His menstrual period was delayed for more than 10 days for three consecutive months, and he also had a bunch of red and swollen acne on his chin. He drank brown sugar water at home for more than half a month, but it didn't work. After a hormone check, he found out that it was polycystic ovary syndrome. After adjusting his work schedule and taking medication for two or three months, the condition gradually stabilized. There is a lot of debate on the Internet about the efficacy of soy isoflavones. Some people say that it is a phytoestrogen that can relieve menstrual discomfort and improve perimenopausal hot flashes. There are also clinical studies that prove that long-term consumption of large doses may disrupt the endogenous hormone levels of young women and even increase the risk of breast hyperplasia. It is not a "miraculous drug for women's maintenance" at all, and it must be taken according to the symptoms.

After talking about endocrine problems, in the past six months, almost half of the patients in my outpatient clinic have received breast examinations. Many of them were frightened by nodules found during physical examinations. Last week, there was a 32-year-old mother who came in with a physical examination report and her eyes were red. She said that she had found type 3 nodules and whether she was going to get breast cancer. I couldn't help but explain to her for a long time. In fact, more than 80% of type 3 nodules are benign. A re-examination is enough every six months. There is no need to cut them immediately. There are now two opinions about breast massage. Gentle massage under the guidance of regular breast surgery can indeed relieve the swelling and pain caused by premenstrual breast hyperplasia. However, the "breast enlargement massage" and "knot dispersing massage" of many beauty institutions on the market use very strong force, which may break benign nodules or even damage breast ducts, which is self-defeating.

I was particularly impressed by a 52-year-old aunt who came to the doctor last month. She leaked urine while dancing in the square. She was very embarrassed in front of her old sisters, so she finally made up her mind to treat it. This is a typical pelvic floor dysfunction. Many women who have given birth have this problem, ranging from mild coughing, sneezing and leaking urine to severe cases such as uterine prolapse. Many people think this is a normal sequelae after giving birth, and they are too embarrassed to tell others and embarrassed to come to the hospital for treatment. In fact, early intervention and persistence in doing Kegel exercises can significantly improve the problem. If it is severe, it will require surgery, and it will be a few years of suffering.

There are also many girls who have problems due to weight loss. Last month, there was a 22-year-old college student who lost 25 pounds in 3 months to wear a small skirt. She immediately stopped menstruating. The bone density was already lower than that of a 50-year-old aunt. It is really a pity. Nowadays, many bloggers say that women should take iron supplements throughout their lives. In fact, as long as the menstrual flow is normal and there is no iron deficiency anemia in the physical examination, there is no need to take additional supplements at all. It is enough to eat more red meat and pork liver. Excessive supplementation will increase the burden on the liver and kidneys. Only people with particularly heavy menstruation or those who have been diagnosed with iron deficiency need to supplement according to the doctor's advice.

In fact, after so many years of sitting in the clinic, my biggest feeling is that many women's health problems are not difficult and complicated. As long as you pay more attention to your body's signals, don't force yourself to do it, and don't blindly believe in folk remedies on the Internet. If you have any problems, go to a regular specialist. Most of them can be solved. You really don't need to scare yourself.