"Stress can be reduced if the person is educated to see things in a different
perspective. A proper diet can solve so many problems. Regular exercise and
regular check-ups are a must. Also, plan for the future.”
Increase in stress levels is triggering a new alert — over gynaecological
problems in women, young and old.
Says Ria Jaiswal, who has two daughters, “My 14-year-old daughter and most of
her friends complain of some gynaecological problem or the other. There are only
two reasons that I can see for this: in earlier times one was not aware,
medically, of such issues or today’s lifestyle and its stresses have led to
problems starting early where women are concerned.”
Bangalore-based Dr Deepa Shetty says, “Most health issues that women face today
are gynaecological. They are falling prey to diseases such as fibroids,
polycystic ovaries and endometriosis. Some of these diseases do have genetic and
biological reasons, but recent studies show psychological and environmental
causes. Fast-paced life, undesirable eating habits, smoking, bearing children at
a later age and stress are some of the reasons these problems are becoming more
predominant in younger women today."
Dr
Kiran, a Mumbai-based general physician points out, “The most common
gynaecological issue for women starts from puberty — painful menstruation — and
continues right up to menopause. There is also PMS or pre-menstrual syndrome
with its attendant discomfort, which, in turn, triggers stress. How does one
tackle this? Dr Kiran says women need to remind themselves that this is an
ongoing process and accept it. Eating right, exercise and meditation could help
one tackle the pain and the stress.
She has some other suggestions too that could help. “Women should, as far as
possible, indulge themselves during such times so they feel less irritated and
unhappy,” she says. It also helps to keep family and friends in the support
loop.
“Tell them you feel edgy and snappy because you are having a tough time of it.”
She adds, “Make sure you relax on these days and don’t diet or exercise,
whatever trainers or dieticians might say.” And see your gynaecologist
immediately if you think you have a problem, she stresses.
Dr Rakesh Sinha, a surgeon, says interacting with his patients has given him
insight into the problems women face, such as: major adjustment issues, for
example, bearing the brunt of raising children while husbands are themselves
struggling in very stressful jobs. Another reason could be the fact that most
women are, today, having children at a much older age, something not healthy for
a woman or her uterus. Also, when a couple works, stress levels multiply leading
to many other medical problems.” He advises how to combat this problem: “Even
stress can be reduced if the person is educated to see things in a different
perspective. A proper diet can solve so many problems, being underweight or
overweight leads to problems like late menstruation, early labour and premature
deliveries, so going on crash diets or avoiding fats and other nutrients
completely is not advisable. Regular exercise and regular check-ups are a must.
Also, plan for the future.”
Dietician Naini Setalvad offers some tips on eating right: “Portion size is very
important for a woman to be healthy. There is no good or bad food. Complex
carbohydrates like Indian lentils are high in protein. Simple carbohydrates are
the ones difficult to burn. Skimmed milk, diet with no butter and saturated fat
is ideal.” Thus, healthy eating, exercise and a stress-free lifestyle are
particularly important for women’s health.
