Women’s Health: Start Here!

Hormonal Changes

Puberty is the process of the body maturing physically and sexually, and it is a time of major hormonal change.² Puberty in girls usually begins between the ages of 8 and 13 years,² causing physical changes like breast development, pubic hair growth, the start of menstruation (monthly periods) and growth in the size of the ovaries, uterus and labia.²

Puberty can also cause emotional turmoil as young teenagers struggle to come to terms with their changing bodies and worry about being different from their peers.²

The main hormones associated with puberty are oestrogen and progesterone.^2,3

• Hormonal Acne

Description: Acne is a prevalent skin condition during puberty, affecting about 80% of teenagers and also young adults up to 30 years.⁴ Hormonal acne is often triggered by changes in androgen, oestrogen and progesterone hormone levels, which results in the skin producing more sebum (oil). This oil can then clog the skin’s pores, causing acne.⁴

Treatment:

• Common acne treatments that can be applied directly to the skin include benzoyl peroxide, retinoids (a type of vitamin A), salicylic acid and antibiotics.⁵
• Oral treatments also include retinoids and antibiotics, as well as corticosteroids and the contraceptive pill.^4,5
• In some cases, a dermatologist may prescribe medication to control the levels of androgen hormones.^4,5
• A good skincare routine can also help to manage acne.⁵

Description: Irregular periods are common during the first few years of menstruation as the body adjusts to new hormonal levels.⁶

Treatment:

• Oral contraceptive pills can help to regulate the menstrual cycle and can also help with painful periods.⁷
• Lifestyle habits like regular exercise and a balanced diet can promote more regular periods and help to relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS) – see Emotional and Psychological Changes⁸

Description: Lack of iron can cause anaemia, with common symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath.
• Heart palpitations.
• Pale skin.

Low iron levels can be caused by heavy periods or by not eating enough iron-rich foods.⁹ Pregnancy can also cause this condition.⁹

Treatment:

• Iron levels can be increased with an oral iron supplement.⁹
• Iron-rich foods like meat, leafy greens, pulses and iron-fortified cereals can also help to improve iron levels.⁹

Description: Hormonal changes during puberty can affect mood and emotional well-being,² and many young women experience conditions like PMS.¹¹

Typical PMS symptoms include:¹¹

• Mood swings.
• Irritability.
• Bloating.
• Fatigue.
• Headaches.

Treatment:

• Lifestyle habits like a healthy diet and regular exercise can help to manage PMS.¹¹
• Counselling and support from family and friends can make emotional changes easier to handle.¹¹
• In more serious cases, when the patient’s quality of life is being affected, a doctor might prescribe oral contraceptive pills or antidepressants.¹¹

There are many contraceptive options available for sexually active teenagers, including:

• Barrier methods, e.g. condoms, spermicide creams or gels, a diaphragm or a cervical cap.¹²
• Hormonal methods, e.g. the oral contraceptive pill, an intrauterine device (IUD) or an implant.¹²

It is also important that teens and young adults have access to comprehensive sex education, to encourage healthy sexual behaviour and responsible contraceptive use, and to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).^13,14

Hormonal Changes

During the reproductive years, women experience regular menstrual cycles with associated hormonal fluctuations.¹⁶ The continuously rising and falling oestrogen and progesterone levels affect various aspects of health.^17,18

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Description: A UTI is an infection of the bladder (cystitis), urethra (urethritis) or kidneys (pyelonephritis).¹⁹ UTIs are very common, with 50% to 60% of adult women experiencing one in their lifetime.¹⁹ Sexual activity, spermicide use and lack of oestrogen after menopause are all risk factors for developing a UTI.¹⁹

Symptoms include painful, frequent urination and cloudy urine.¹⁹

Treatment:

• A UTI is typically treated with antibiotics.¹⁹
• Low-dose preventative antibiotics or cranberry supplements can help to prevent or reduce the risk of developing a UTI.¹⁹

Description: Thrush, also called candidiasis, is caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a yeast which is naturally present in the vagina.^21,22 This overgrowth can be caused by: ²¹

• Antibiotic use.
• Poorly controlled diabetes.
• High oestrogen levels.

Symptoms include itching and a thick, white vaginal discharge.²²

Treatment:

• Thrush can be treated using topical cream or oral tablets.²² Some treatments are available over the counter at pharmacies, while others require a prescription from a doctor.²²

Description: Bacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection that occurs when the balance of flora in the vagina is disrupted.²¹

Symptoms include a grey or white vaginal discharge with a strong odour.²³

Treatment:

• Bacterial vaginosis is treated with antibiotics.^21,23

Description: OAB is a condition characterised by an urgent and frequent need to urinate, often accompanied by incontinence (leaking of urine).²⁴

It can be caused by increased sensation from small volumes of urine in the bladder, which may cause unwanted muscle contractions.²⁴ It can also be a symptom of an underlying problem like:²⁴

• Diabetes
• A UTI or other bladder disease.
• Pelvic organ prolapse.

Treatment:

• Medications are available to help treat an overactive bladder.²⁴
• Pelvic floor physiotherapy and bladder training may also be helpful.²⁴
• In more serious cases, surgery may be needed.²⁴