1. Thinning hair
Many women experience thinning hair after pregnancy. This can be a normal part of the hormonal cycle. However, during other times, thinning hair can be an indication of an underlying problem. “It can be caused by thyroid disorders or autoimmune problems. However, more commonly, we see in our practices that hair thinning occurs because of certain key vitamin deficiencies,” says Arielle Levitan, MD, a physician of Internal Medicine practicing in the Chicago area and author of the book The Vitamin Solution: A Guide to Clearing the Confusion about Vitamins and Health. These deficiencies need to be addressed because, not only can they contribute to hair loss but they can cause a host of other problems. “Vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, depression and muscle aches. Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, lack of energy, restless leg syndrome and more.”
2. A small dark mole
Many women disregard a new spot if they get one. “A simple dark spot can be an early melanoma,” says Debra Jaliman, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City and author of the book Skin Rules. “If it is dark it can be very small, the size of a period at the end of a sentence and it can change the course of your life.” Malignant melanoma can be life-threatening if not caught in an early stage. “It doesn’t have to be the dark, scary, crusty bleeding spot that you see in magazines photos,” says Dr. Jaliman. The best course of action? See your dermatologist for mole mapping. A simple biopsy can save your life.
3. Heavy periods
Women who have heavy periods may be at risk for anemia, or low blood count, which can cause fatigue, hair loss, weakness and in severe cases heart failure, says Antonio Pizarro, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. Additionally, Dr. Pizarro notes that in women over 45, heavy periods could be a sign of uterine cancer. Women with heavy flow, clots or frequent pad or tampon changes should see their gynecologist to discuss testing options.
4. Frequent constipation, abdominal bloating and getting full quickly at meals
This could be a sign of ovarian cancer. According to Cancer.org, when the symptoms are caused by ovarian cancer, “they tend to be persistent and a change from normal—for example, they occur more often or are more severe.”
5. Blood in the stools
While it could be hemorrhoids, it could be something more serious like an ulcer or cancer. See a doctor to rule that out.
6. Leg swelling
If you’re on birth control pills or other hormonal contraception you’re at an increased risk of blood clots in the chest and legs, says Dr. Pizarro. If you experience leg swelling or chest pain, you should see your doctor.
7. Having to go to the bathroom a lot at night
Women whose bladders function well during the day but who have to get up to urinate more than twice at night could have obstructive sleep apnea or OSA, says Dr. Pizarro. Ultimately, unchecked OSA can lead to heart and lung disease, so women should talk to their doctor and consider undergoing a sleep study, notes Dr. Pizarro.
8. Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
This could be a symptom of an infection, and in extreme cases could be a sign of cervical cancer, says Michelle Katz, LPN, MSN, a nurse and author of Healthcare Made Easy.
9. Difficulty getting pregnant
“Thirteen percent of women in their childbearing years experience difficulty getting pregnant,” says Dr. Yasmin Akhunji, a board-certified endocrinologist with Paloma Health. While possible causes maybe not trying long enough, not trying when you’re ovulating or even a problem with your partner, there could also be an underlying thyroid issue. “Healthy thyroid function is critical in reproduction and pregnancy. An underactive thyroid can cause irregular periods, hyperprolactinemia or sex hormone imbalance—all of which may affect a person’s ability to get pregnant.”
10. Feeling sad
“We don’t do a good enough job making it okay to talk about our feelings and emotions,” says Tania Elliott, M.D., a board-certified physician. Whether it is in the postpartum period, going through a rough patch in life, or perimenopause, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional to address what is going on. Is the sadness also associated with sleep issues? Changes in eating? Weight gain? Pain? “That could be a sign of an underlying medical condition, or, it might be a symptom of a mental health concern that needs to be addressed,” says Dr. Elliott.
11. Weight gain or loss of energy
“Especially after the age of 40, weight gain and feeling fatigued could be an initial sign of menopause,” says Dr. Elliott. “Even though every single woman experiences it, we don’t do a very good job of talking about the signs and symptoms of pre, post or perimenopause. Talk with a specialist early on about what you are experiencing to discuss early treatment and intervention options.”
12. Forgetfulness
“Mild forgetfulness is a common complaint in people as they age. Examples include misplacing objects around the house, forgetting the names of less familiar acquaintances, forgetting your intent upon entering a room, or having some difficulty remembering lesser details of what you have read or of prior conversations,” says Verna R. Porter, MD, neurologist and director of the Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurocognitive Disorders at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. However, if you’re repetitively asking the same question; regularly forgetting a word/phrase or idea when speaking; taking longer to complete daily chores or tasks; frequently misplacing objects/items around the house; or getting lost while walking or driving in a relatively familiar area, you should talk to your doctor to rule out dementia. “The main difference between age-related memory loss and dementia is that in normal aging the forgetfulness does not interfere with your ability to carry on with normal daily activities. In other words, the memory lapses have little impact on your daily life, or your ability to carry on the usual chores, tasks and routines that comprise our daily lives.” In contrast, dementia is characterized by marked, persistent and disabling decline in two or more intellectual abilities such as memory, language, judgment or abstract reasoning, that significantly interfere with and disrupt your normal daily activities. When memory loss becomes so pervasive that it begins to disrupt your work, hobbies, social activities, and family relationships, this may suggest the warning signs of an evolving dementia syndrome. Lagging on important health checkups? Let this Checklist of Annual Physical Exams for Women be your cheat sheet.
Sources
Arielle Levitan, MD, physician of Internal Medicine, author of The Vitamin Solution: A Guide to Clearing the Confusion about Vitamins and HealthDebra Jaliman, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City and author of the book Skin RulesAntonio Pizarro, MD, a Board Certified OB/GYN and in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive SurgeryCancer.org: Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian CancerMichelle Katz, LPN, MSN, nurse and author of Healthcare Made EasyDr. Yasmin Akhunji, board-certified endocrinologist with Paloma HealthTania Elliott, M.D., a board certified physicianVerna R. Porter, M.D., neurologist and director of the Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurocognitive Disorders at Providence Saint John’s Health Center
