The Most Prominent Underlying Health Symptoms that Affect Women After Age 30

As a woman, your 30s and post-that age can be a time of many changes and challenges. You may juggle your career, family, and personal goals while dealing with stress, anxiety, and fatigue. You may also notice changes in your body and health as you enter a new phase of your reproductive cycle. Some of these changes may be expected, but some may be signs of underlying health problems that need your attention.

In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most prominent underlying health symptoms that affect women in their thirties and what you can do to prevent or treat them.

Thyroid problems

Your thyroid is a small gland in your neck that produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, energy, mood, and other functions. Thyroid problems can affect women of any age, but they are more common in women in their thirties and forties. Thyroid problems can cause either an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)1

Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

·?????Weight loss

·?????Increased appetite

·?????Nervousness

·?????Anxiety

·?????Insomnia

·?????Palpitations

·?????Tremors

·?????Heat intolerance

·?????Irregular periods

Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

·?????Weight gain

·?????Decreased appetite

·?????Fatigue

·?????Depression

·?????Constipation

·?????Dry skin

·?????Hair loss

·?????Cold intolerance

·?????Heavy periods

If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor for a blood test to check your thyroid function. Thyroid problems can be treated with medication, surgery, or radioactive iodine therapy, depending on the cause and severity of the condition2

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Fibroids

Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in the wall of the uterus. They can vary in size, number, and location. Fibroids are very common in women of reproductive age, especially in their thirties and forties. Fibroids can cause symptoms such as:

·?????Heavy or prolonged periods

·?????Pelvic pain or pressure

·?????Back pain or leg pain

·?????Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder

·?????Constipation or bloating

·?????Infertility or miscarriage

A pelvic exam or an ultrasound usually diagnoses fibroids. The treatment options for fibroids depend on the size, number, location, and symptoms, as well as your age, fertility plans, and general health. Some of the treatment options include:

·?????Medication to shrink the fibroids or reduce the bleeding

·?????Surgery to remove the fibroids or the uterus (myomectomy or hysterectomy)

·?????Minimally invasive procedures to destroy the fibroids with heat, cold, or radiofrequency (uterine artery embolisation, endometrial ablation, or radiofrequency ablation) 3

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue that usually lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus, such as on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, or bowel. Endometriosis can cause inflammation, scarring, and adhesions in the pelvic area. Endometriosis is more common in women in their thirties and forties. Endometriosis can cause symptoms such as:

·?????Painful periods

·?????Chronic pelvic pain

·?????Pain during sex

·?????Painful urination or bowel movements

·?????Bleeding between periods

·?????Infertility or difficulty getting pregnant

Endometriosis is diagnosed by a pelvic exam, an ultrasound, or a laparoscopy (a surgical procedure that allows the doctor to see inside the abdomen). The treatment options for endometriosis depend on the condition's severity, age, fertility plans, and general health. Some of the treatment options include:

·?????Medication to reduce the pain and inflammation or suppress the hormones that stimulate the growth of endometrial tissue (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), birth control pills, progestins, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists)

·?????Surgery to remove or destroy the endometrial tissue (such as laparoscopy or laparotomy)

·?????Assisted reproductive technology (ART) to help you conceive if you have infertility due to endometriosis 4

Ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on or inside the ovaries. They are common in women of reproductive age, especially during ovulation. Most ovarian cysts are harmless and go away without causing any symptoms. However, some ovarian cysts can grow, rupture, twist, or become cancerous. These types of ovarian cysts can cause symptoms such as:

·?????Pelvic pain or pressure

·?????Bloating or fullness

·?????Nausea or vomiting

·?????Irregular periods

·?????Difficulty getting pregnant

A pelvic exam or an ultrasound usually diagnoses ovarian cysts. The treatment options for ovarian cysts depend on the size, type, and symptoms, your age, fertility plans, and general health. Some of the treatment options include:

·?????Watchful waiting to see if the cysts go away on their own

·?????Medication to prevent ovulation or shrink the cysts (such as birth control pills or progestins)

·?????Surgery to remove the cysts or the ovaries (cystectomy or oophorectomy)

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow and multiply in the breast tissue. Breast cancer can affect women of any age, but the risk increases, especially after menopause. Breast cancer can cause symptoms such as:

·?????A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm

·?????A change in the size, shape, or appearance of the breast

·?????A change in the skin of the breast, such as dimpling, puckering, redness, or scaling

·?????A change in the nipple, such as inversion, discharge, or soreness

·?????Pain in the breast that does not go away

A physical exam, a mammogram, an ultrasound, a biopsy, or other tests diagnose breast cancer. The treatment options for breast cancer depend on the stage, type, and characteristics of the cancer, your age, menopausal status, and general health. Some of the treatment options include:

·?????Surgery to remove the tumour or the breast (lumpectomy or mastectomy)

·?????Radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells in the breast or nearby lymph nodes

·?????Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells throughout the body

·?????Hormone therapy to block or lower the hormones that stimulate some types of breast cancer (such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors)

·?????Targeted therapy to attack specific molecules that are involved in some types of breast cancer (such as trastuzumab or lapatinib)

Conclusion

As you can see, many underlying health symptoms can affect women in their thirties. Some symptoms may be mild and temporary, but some may be serious and chronic. It is essential to pay attention to your body and health and seek medical advice if you notice any changes or concerns. Doing so can prevent or treat potential health problems and enjoy a healthy and happy life.

Important notice: This article is not intended as a substitute for official healthcare. If you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from what is mentioned in this article, the Zarcare Team recommends contacting a qualified healthcare practitioner immediately to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.?

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