Women’s reproductive health is a vital part of overall well-being, but it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Conversations around it are still considered taboo in many communities. Because of this silence, many women continue to suffer through discomfort, pain, and long-term health issues without proper help. Some of these problems, if ignored, can affect fertility or even become life-threatening.

Here’s a look at five common gynaecological issues that affect women and why it's important to address them early.

Menstrual Problems

Many women experience some discomfort during their periods, but when the pain is severe, it could be a sign of dysmenorrhea. This condition causes intense cramping in the lower abdomen or back, often disrupting daily life. It happens due to strong uterine contractions that reduce blood flow and oxygen to the tissues.

Another issue is menorrhagia, or unusually heavy periods. This can lead to fatigue and anaemia if not managed. Then there are irregular periods, which may signal hormonal imbalances or conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Ignoring menstrual irregularities may lead to bigger health problems later, including fertility issues.

Vaginal Infections and Discomfort

Many women experience vaginal infections at some point. These can result from bacterial, fungal, or yeast overgrowth. A condition called vaginitis often presents with itching, burning, unusual discharge, or changes in odour.

Although treatable, recurring infections should not be ignored, as they may point to an underlying health concern. Regular hygiene and medical attention can help prevent complications.

Ovarian Cysts and PCOS

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop on the ovaries. While most are harmless and go away on their own, some can cause pain or discomfort and may need medical attention.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a more serious condition that causes multiple small cysts on the ovaries. It’s linked with hormonal imbalances that can lead to irregular periods, acne, hair growth, weight gain, mood changes, and difficulties in getting pregnant. Managing PCOS often involves lifestyle changes and medication.

Endometriosis and Fibroids

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It can cause painful periods, heavy bleeding, pain during sex, digestive problems, and infertility. Treatment may include hormone therapy, pain relief, or surgery, depending on severity.

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths inside or around the uterus. They may cause heavy periods, pelvic pressure, or frequent urination. While some fibroids don’t need treatment, others may require medication or surgical removal.

Urinary Tract Issues

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are common in women and can cause a burning sensation during urination, lower abdominal pain, and the need to urinate frequently. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is usually effective.

Urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, may happen after childbirth or during menopause. It’s often treatable with pelvic floor exercises, medication, or surgery.

Why It Matters

Bringing these issues into open conversation helps women take charge of their health. Early detection and treatment can make a big difference—preventing long-term complications and improving quality of life.

If you have belly fat and you are also wondering why do you have such stubborn deposits of fats despite ding everything in your control, then you are at the right place. Many of the times, you might be doing the wrong thing to manage your excess belly fat. Why so? Because not all belly fat mean the same thing, and so the same way to lose fat won't necessarily work.

Two Types Of Belly Fat

Subcutaneous: This is the fat which is found under your skin and you can pinch it

Visceral: This is found inside your abdomen, which surrounds your internal organs

While having some fat around your belly is normal as it helps protect, insulate and also energize your body. However, too much fat could increase your risk of developing certain chronic diseases.

More On Subcutaneous Belly Fat

This is also known as subcutaneous adipose tissue or SAT. It is the fat that is found under your skin. You would know that you have it. How? It is soft, and you can see it jiggling on your belly.

It also makes up to 90% of your total body fat and is distributed among your abdomen, upper back, glutes, and thighs.

While this kind of fat is not necessarily linked with any serious disease, as per a 2017 review published in Author Manuscript, a peer reviewed and accepted for publication by a journal, titled Upper Body Subcutaneous Fat Is Associated With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, notes that having more upper body subcutaneous fat is associated with high levels of blood pressure, LDL or "bad" cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose and lower HDL or "good" cholesterol.

It is also true that generally, women have greater amounts of subcutaneous fat than men.

Visceral Belly Fat - What Is It?

It is also known as visceral adipose tissue or VAT. This kind of fat surrounds internal organs like your kidney, liver, and pancreas and is found much deeper in your abdomen, which means you cannot feel this fat.

This is also metabolically active and contains more cells, blood vessels, and nerves. It also produces hormones and inflammatory proteins that could impact your health negatively.

This fat is also linked with diseases, especially with increased resistance to hormone insulin which regulates your blood sugar. Over time, insulin resistance may lead to elevated blood sugar levels and the development of type 2 diabetes.

Visceral fat also contributes to the increase in systemic inflammation, blood fats, and blood pressure, which could raise your disease risk. It also makes up to 6 to 20% of your body fat and is referred to as "harmful" belly fat. Men are also more likely to store it than women.

However, it is important to note that body fat changes with age. For instance, premenopausal women would have more subcutaneous fat, whereas postmenopausal women may have more visceral fat.

As per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, excess belly fat could cause these following diseases:

• obesity
• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries)
• metabolic syndrome
• fatty liver disease
• osteoarthritis
• gout
• kidney disease
• gallbladder disease
• pancreatitis
• sexual dysfunction
• mental health conditions

When Alana was just seven, she was diagnosed with psoriasis — a chronic autoimmune condition that left painful, scaly patches across her skin. By 25, her diagnosis expanded to include psoriatic arthritis, a debilitating condition that affects the joints and often hides in plain sight. Her story, however, is not just one of suffering — it’s a powerful testament to resilience, self-acceptance, and the ongoing battle for awareness around invisible illnesses. In a world obsessed with flawless appearances, Alana’s candid journey from being overmedicated to embracing a holistic lifestyle offers a much-needed spotlight on the realities of chronic skin conditions and the strength it takes to advocate for one’s body.

“I remember scratching until my skin bled,” Alana recalls. “Doctors didn’t know what was happening. My childhood became a blur of nurse’s office visits and topical creams.” Misunderstood and often misdiagnosed in its early stages, psoriasis is an autoimmune condition where the skin cells build up rapidly, forming scales and itchy, dry patches. In Alana’s case, the progression was swift and emotionally jarring.

By the age of nine, Alana was already on a restrictive anti-inflammatory diet. While other kids enjoyed sweets and processed snacks, she studied ingredient labels, became intimately familiar with holistic remedies, and avoided sugar like it was poison. “My mom would say, ‘Psoriasis feeds on sugar,’” she shares. “So while my siblings had Oreos, I had the sugar-free health store version—if I was lucky.”

Navigating adolescence with visible skin symptoms brought its own trauma. “Middle school was brutal,” Alana confides. “I wore arm socks and stacked bracelets just to hide my arms. I’d wear wigs to hide my scalp. There were days I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror.”

Like many who live with psoriasis, Alana also faced the psychological burden—body image issues, bullying, and feelings of shame that often go unseen in clinical narratives. “No one talks about the depression that comes when you’re in remission. Your skin is clear, but emotionally, you’re still healing.”

What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

At 25, just as Alana thought she had a handle on her condition, she experienced her first flare-up of psoriatic arthritis—another autoimmune condition closely tied to psoriasis. “I couldn’t walk for a week. I was terrified,” she remembers. “But my dad, who has it too, told me—‘This is how it starts. Buckle up.’”

Psoriatic arthritis is marked by inflammation of the joints, often developing years after skin symptoms appear. It adds a layer of physical disability to an already taxing disease and affects nearly 30% of people with psoriasis. For Alana, it meant another upheaval—mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects individuals with psoriasis, a condition that causes red, scaly patches on the skin. While psoriasis typically develops first, in some cases, joint issues appear before skin patches or simultaneously. The condition is marked by joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, which can affect any part of the body, including the fingers, toes, and spine. Psoriatic arthritis varies in severity, with disease flare-ups alternating with periods of remission.

Over the years, Alana tried it all—steroids, topical creams, biologics, cortisone injections. “Steroids helped, but the more I used them, the thinner and more fragile my skin became. It got worse in the long run.” Like many patients, she experienced the rollercoaster of temporary relief followed by long-term setbacks.

A biologic medication gave her a temporary reprieve from flare-ups, allowing her to enjoy a rare period of skin clarity. “It was my party girl era. My skin was clear, I felt normal, but the side effects were awful—migraines, nausea, and daily pills.”

Ultimately, the fear of long-term side effects led Alana to quit biologics in 2018. With that decision came a resurgence of symptoms—but also, a shift in mindset.

Alana decided she would no longer hide. “I thought, so many people have skin conditions. Why should I be ashamed?” She began sharing her story on social media. To her surprise, her vulnerability resonated. “One day a brand reached out for a skincare campaign. Next thing I know, I’m on billboards.”

For someone who once layered bracelets to hide her skin, it was a full-circle moment. “If I could go back and show my 7-year-old self—the goth little girl in all black—these pictures, I’d tell her, you’re going to be okay. You’ll help others one day.”

Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease that progressively worsens over time, though there are periods when symptoms improve or temporarily disappear. The key symptoms include:

Swollen Fingers and Toes: Often described as painful, sausage-like swelling in the fingers and toes.

Foot Pain: Pain in the areas where tendons and ligaments attach to bones, such as the Achilles tendon and the soles of the feet.

Lower Back Pain: This is caused by spondylitis, which inflames the joints between vertebrae and in the spine-pelvis region.

Nail Changes: Psoriatic arthritis may cause nails to form small dents, crumble, or separate from the nail beds.

Eye Inflammation: Uveitis causes eye pain, redness, and blurry vision, and if untreated, it can result in vision loss.

In 2019, Alana made a dramatic switch to a vegan lifestyle. “I left a dermatologist appointment in tears because I didn’t want to go back on meds. That day, I cut everything—dairy, meat, processed foods—cold turkey.” She admits now that she wasn’t fully informed. “I dropped to 100 pounds. I was frail. I didn’t know how to nourish my body properly.”

Still, her holistic journey taught her what worked—and what didn’t. Through trial and error, cookbooks, and community forums, she carved a path rooted in listening to her body. “There’s no one-size-fits-all with psoriasis. What helps one person might trigger another.”

Today, Alana continues to live with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. She still faces flare-ups, but she’s better equipped mentally, emotionally, and socially. “This disease doesn’t define me. It’s part of my story, not the whole story.”

Her message to others? “Don’t let shame win. Find your community. And know that healing isn’t just about clear skin—it’s about acceptance, too.”

Alana’s journey highlights the often-hidden aspects of chronic skin conditions—misdiagnosis in childhood, the emotional toll of visible symptoms, the physical limitations of psoriatic arthritis, and the long, non-linear road to healing. As public conversations around autoimmune diseases and skin positivity grow, stories like hers are critical reminders that healing is just as much about self-love as it is about science.

Hormone changes are a natural part of aging, but they affect men and women differently. In women, menopause marks the end of fertility and involves a sharp decline in reproductive hormones over a relatively short period. For men, the hormonal shift is slower and more gradual. This has led to the popular but misleading idea of a “male menopause.”

Debunking the Male Menopause Myth

The term “male menopause” is often used in media and casual conversations to describe aging-related hormone changes in men. But unlike female menopause, men do not experience a sudden stop in hormone production.

Instead, testosterone—the primary male sex hormone—declines slowly, about 1% per year from around age 30 or 40. This gradual process is medically referred to as late-onset hypogonadism or age-related low testosterone. It’s not inevitable, and not all men experience symptoms.

What the NHS Says

According to the NHS, some men in their late 40s to early 50s experience symptoms such as:

• Low libido and erectile dysfunction
• Mood swings and irritability
• Reduced muscle mass and exercise capacity
• Fat accumulation, including belly fat or “man boobs” (gynaecomastia)
• Fatigue and sleep issues
• Poor concentration and short-term memory

These symptoms may be similar to those seen in menopause, but the causes are often more complex and not always hormonal.

Causes Beyond Hormones

The NHS cautions against labeling these changes as “male menopause,” since many symptoms stem from lifestyle, psychological, or social factors, not just hormones. Stress, anxiety, depression, poor diet, lack of sleep, and inactivity can all contribute.

For some men, this period may coincide with a "midlife crisis," marked by career worries, relationship stress, or existential concerns. These factors can affect emotional well-being and physical health—sometimes mimicking hormone-related symptoms.

When It Is Hormonal

In fewer cases, symptoms are linked to a genuine medical condition called late-onset hypogonadism, where the testes produce insufficient testosterone. This can occur due to:

• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain medications (like opioids)
• Pituitary gland issues

Hypogonadism can be diagnosed through blood tests and medical evaluation. It is not considered a normal part of aging.

Recognizing Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Men with clinically low testosterone may experience:

• Decreased sexual desire or erectile issues
• Hot flashes or sweating
• Breast tenderness
• Loss of bone density or height
• Fatigue, low mood, or reduced motivation
• Sleep disturbances
• Decreased muscle mass and increased body fat

Because these symptoms are non-specific, doctors recommend testing only when multiple signs are present.

Treatment Options and Risks

If testing confirms low testosterone, and lifestyle factors are ruled out, testosterone therapy may be considered. Guidelines vary:

The American College of Physicians recommends it for men with sexual dysfunction who want to improve performance.

The Endocrine Society supports therapy for men with symptoms and confirmed low levels.

However, therapy comes with risks, such as increased chance of heart problems, blood clots, prostate or breast cancer, and infertility.

What You Should Do

If you’re experiencing troubling symptoms, talk to your GP. They may explore emotional or lifestyle causes first. Treatment could include therapy, stress management, diet, exercise—or in some cases, hormone testing.