Women’s Health
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Women’s Health
Women’s bodies
are different need
special care to be
healthy
Sometimes a
woman might feel
healthy, but actually
have problems
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It’s very important for a
woman to get a check up
at the doctor once every
year
This way the doctor will
be able to find problems
early when they are not
very difficult to fix
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Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a very
serious cancer that causes
many women die
In the beginning, a woman
might not feel like she has it
A doctor will do several tests
to check for breast cancer
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One test is called a
MAMMOGRAM
A woman’s breast is
pressed gentry by the
mammogram machine
An X-Ray picture is taken
of the breast to check for
cancer lumps inside
If the doctor sees a
problem, she will do more
tests to make sure
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All women over the age of 50
should get a mammogram
once every two years
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Cervical Cancer
A very serious
cancer of the
women’s
reproductive
system
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A doctor will check for cervical
cancer and other problems by doing
a Pelvic Exam
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During a pelvic exam, a doctor will
ask you to undress and put your feet
up in stirrups. Then she will press
your organs to check for problems
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A doctor will also do a Pap
Smear
The doctor will open
up the vagina and
brush the cervix with
a special swab
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A Pelvic Exam Doesn’t Hurt!
It might feel uncomfortable, but you should
tell your doctor if you feel any pain
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All women should get a Pap smear once a
year if they are older than 21 or three years
after they start having sex
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“Gardasil”
There is a vaccine that can help prevent
cervical cancer
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A woman has to get the
vaccine shot 3 times
She has to go back to the doctor 2 months
after her first shot and 4 months after the
second shot
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It’s very important that all women and
girls age 11-26 get this vaccine!
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MENOPAUSE
Menopause is a health concern of
older women
Menopause
happens when
the woman’s
monthly
bleeding ends
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Menopause is a natural part of aging
that happens to all women
However, because their bodies are
changing, some women don’t feel
well during menopause
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Hot Flashes
Short period of time
when it feels very
hot and you start to
sweat
Dressing in light layers, using a fan, getting
regular exercise, not eating spicy foods, and
managing stress may help
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Sexual Problems
During menopause, sex might become
painful, less pleasant or uncomfortable
Using a water-soluble lubricant can help. It’s important
to check with your doctor that the problem isn’t caused
by and STI or an infection
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Other Problems
• Feeling sad or angry
• Gaining weight
• Having trouble
sleeping
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Staying Active
The best thing to do to feel better is to get
regular exercise
Exercise can prevent weight gain and make
you feel happier
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Eating Healthy Food
Eating a balanced diet of whole grains, lots of fruit
and vegetables, and lean protein will help women
feel healthier
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Calcium
As women get older their bones lose calcium and get
weaker and more breakable
Its very important for women to eat lots of calciumrich food like milk, yogurt, broccoli, oranges and
leafy greens
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Talk to your doctor if you feel
very bad
There are medicines that can help
manage the symptoms of menopause
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Remember, you are
responsible for your health!
It’s very important
to share
information about
health with
friends and family
members so that
everyone can be
healthy!
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Evaluation!
Write down the letter of the answer that you
think is right. If you don’t know, write
“?”
#1
How often should a woman go see a doctor?
A.
Only when she
feels sick
B.
C.
Once a year for a When someone
regular check-up
in her family is
sick
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#2
What can a woman do to help prevent cervical
cancer?
A.
Wash her hands
often
B.
Get a vaccine
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C.
Eat food with a lot
of calcium
#3
Who should get the cervical cancer vaccine?
B.
A.
All girls under 11 All women over
65 years old
years old
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C.
All women and
girls age 11-26
#4
What is a mammogram?
A.
B.
C.
A test to check for A serious disease A treatment for a
breast cancer
that women get
disease
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#5
What kinds of food have calcium, which is
important for strong, healthy bones?
A.
Whole grain
bread, cereal,
and pasta
B.
Beef, chicken
and fish
C.
Milk, yogurt,
broccoli and leafy
greens
#6
What is the best thing to do to improve the
symptoms of menopause?
A.
Get regular
exercise
B.
Take lots of
medicine
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C.
Drink a lot of
coffee and tea
Thank You!
Created by
Alina Fomovska and Jennifer Bello, MD
Special Thanks To
Judith Weinstein
Uma Devi Mishra
Ernest Pyaohn
Sarah Eichberger
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References
• Hesperian Where Women Have No Doctors
http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download_wwhnd.php
• Healthy Roads Media http://www.healthyroadsmedia.org/
• New Americans Health Information Portal
http://palantir.lib.uic.edu/nahip/
• USCRI http://refugees.org/
• WedMD http://www.webmd.com/
• Peer Health Exchange http://peerhealthexchange.org/
• Medline Plus http://medlineplus.gov/
• Minnesota International Health Volunteers
http://www.mihv.nonprofitoffice.com/