We always read and hear about the health problems that are common due to our unhealthy lifestyle. But today on account of International Women's Day, let us focus on the health complications, women are more prone to. As we all know, a female body works and reacts in a different way than that of a male. So this is our effort to create awareness regarding health complications found in women, which we tend to avoid.

There was a time, when women only use to look after their family and household chores. But today, they have broken these four walls around them and stepped outside leveling with everyone around. They know how to maintain a right balance between home and office. However, in between all this, they tend to ignore their health. And this results in various health complications. Here we have listed most common 11 health complications found in today's women.

Osteoporosis

One of the greatest threats to women these days is osteoporosis. It is a health complication that makes your bones thin and weak, causing them more likely to break. It is a progressive disease, which develops gradually over years without any symptoms. Women are more prone to this disease because they have low bone density when compared to men. In addition, women tend to lose bone mass quickly with age. It is estimated that every second women over the age of 50 is likely to be have caused fracture due to osteoporosis. But the good news is that it can be saved by taking care of bone health and maintaining it in healthy condition. The most important step for maintaining right balance is by having calcium in diet. As we all know, bones and calcium are directly related to each other.

Now let us take a look at the risk factors:

• Age: With age, bone mass density starts to decline, which ultimately increases the risk of osteoporosis.
• Gender: Women are at more risk, as the bone density is on lower side.
• Family History: You are at risk, if osteoporosis exists in your family tree.
• Drinking and Smoking: Alcohol and tobacco's high intake promotes thinning of bones, and ultimately leads to this health complication.
• Vitamin Deficiency: Vitamin D is absolutely necessary for absorbing calcium in your body. So lacking this vital vitamin and calcium leads to weakening of bones.
• Hormonal Imbalance: Irregular menstrual cycles and menopause increases the risk further.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Not enough physical activity is becoming one of the leading cause for osteoporosis.

Breast Cancer

One of the most known health complication, we are all aware with, is breast cancer. In this health disease, cancer cells (malignant cells) form in the breast tissues. These damaged cells then invade the surrounding tissues and infect them too, which leads to a deadly disease. However, with early detection and proper treatment, a person can continue living normal life. The exact cause behind this health issue is still unknown.

Now let us take a look at the risk factors:

• Oral Contraceptive Pills: It is seen that these pills increase the risk two times of breast cancer.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Very less physical activity can increase accumulation of fat cell, which may increase the risk of this health complication.
• Obesity: Obese women have more fat tissues in their body, which increases the estrogen level, and can lead to estrogen-responsive cancer.
• Family History: If this health issue is running in your family, then you are more risk of getting affected.
• Age: With age, the body becomes incapable of repairing damage, and can cause this health complication.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

This health condition is not really harmful, but may create hormonal imbalance in body. PCOS causes growth of cysts in the ovaries, which can lead to irregularity of menstrual cycle. This health complication is also one of the leading cause for infertility. It might also affect your appearance such as excess body hair, acne, etc. It is important to get this issue treated early for preventing long term complications.

Now let us take a look at the risk factors:

• Hormonal Imbalance: Imbalance of estrogen and progesterone can increase risk of PCOS.
• Family History: Heredity plays an important role in many health condition, including this.
• Some Medications: Using certain medications, such as seizure medicines, for longer period can develop PCOS.

Anemia

This health condition is caused due to decrease in hemoglobin levels in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin (Hb) is responsible for transporting oxygen in the body. In shortage of this, the body cells won't be able to get enough oxygen. This will result in weakness, fatigue, hair loss, breathlessness, etc. There are ideally many types of anemia, among which iron deficiency is very common in women. As its name suggests, it occurs due to deficiency of iron in your body. For staying away from this health complication, you need to include iron rich items in your diet.

Now let us take a look at the risk factors:

• Age: As said earlier, age increases risk for all kind of health complications, including anemia.
• Gender: Females are highly at risk of anemia because of all the blood loss during menstruation.
• Intestinal Problems: Intestine is responsible for absorbing nutrients. If intestinal disorder exists, then that may cause anemia.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infection is the most common type of infection found in women. Ideally, almost every woman would have gone through UTI at least once in her lifetime. UTI is actually an infection in a part of the urinary system. The most common part being lower urinary tract which comprises kidney, bladder, urethra, and ureters. One experiences this infection when bacteria enter the urethra and urinary tract, and later on begins to multiply in the bladder. Symptoms of this infection may include frequent urge to urinate, painful or burning sensation while urinating, or strong smelling urine with pus or blood in it. Some people may also experience abdominal pains and irritations during sexual intercourse.

Now let us take a look at the risk factors:

1. Sexual Life: Sexual intercourse with multiple or new partner can lead to this infection.
2. Poor personal hygiene: Hygiene is most important to keep bacteria away; if that is not meet, then you are at risk of UTI.
3. Kidney stones: This health problem may cause bacteria growth, and increase the risk.
4. Pregnancy or menopause: During this period, the risk of infection increases.
5. Medications: Heavy use of antibiotics, especially those that interfere with natural bowel movements and urinary tract can increase risk of UTI.
6. Oral contraceptive pills
7. Blockage of urinary tract

Calcium Deficiency

Calcium deficiency is one of the underrated health complication. Normally women are negligent towards their dietary intakes, which may result to deficiency of important nutrients, one among which is calcium. Calcium is very necessary in our body for well-being of bones. Its deficiency may lead to osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, cancer, and such other major health problems. Calcium deficiency is very commonly seen in women because of their hormonal changes, especially after menopause. So it is very important to keep a steady intake of calcium and vitamin D for staying away from this health complication.

Now let us take a look at the risk factors:

• Less calcium consumption
• Deficiency of specific minerals: Phosphorous, magnesium, and vitamin D are responsible for absorption of calcium. So deficiency of these elements ultimately cause calcium deficiency.
• Age: With age, there are more chances of your body not absorbing calcium.
• Menopause: This causes hormonal imbalance that risks calcium deficiency.
• Intestinal problems or kidney failure
• Certain medical conditions
• Medications

Thyroid Problems

Thyroid is ideally a gland that is responsible for producing hormone to control metabolism. The complications occur when it produces too much of hormones (hyperthyroidism) or not enough of them(hypothyroidism). Symptoms of hyperthyroidism includes sudden weight loss, fatigue, dry hair, and forgetfulness. Symptoms of hypothyroidism includes sudden weight gain, muscle weakness, irritability, and sleep disturbances. Women are eight times more likely at the risk of thyroid problems.

Now let us take a look at the risk factors:

1. With age, the risk of thyroid problems may increase.
2. If you have a family history of this complication, then you might be at a risk.
3. Type 1 diabetes
4. Rheumatoid arthritis
5. Autoimmune Disease

Diabetes

Diabetes is very common these days, and found very commonly in older people. This is not something that only women are prone to, but as even women are at equal risk, this health complication has found its place in this list. Diabetes can be diagnosed at early stages with mere blood sugar level tests. The sooner you are aware about this health complication, the sooner you can take control of your lifestyle and diet. If proper precautions are taken, this health complication is easy to deal with.

Now let us take a look at the risk factors:

• Obesity
• Unhealthy lifestyle
• Smoking and drinking
• Heredity
• Age

Heart Disease

This is one of the most common life-taking health condition. According to one report, around 29 percent of women's death is caused by heart problem. Women are at more risk because they normally misunderstand symptoms and confuse it with other health complications. If this health complication is left untreated, then it may lead to heart attack.

Now let us take a look at the risk factors:

• Obesity
• Stress
• High Blood Pressure
• Diabetes
• Less physical activity
• High cholesterol

Autoimmune Disease

This health complication is actually a bit difficult to understand, as your own immune system starts attacking your body and alters or destroys the tissues. This is ideally a group of disorders including multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and lupus. This autoimmune disease is majorly seen in women. Each and every disease in this group appears different from other, apart from diabetes, lupus, and thyroid problems. The cause of this problem is still not known, but experts believe it to be hormonal, genetic, or environmental factors. As this health complication is not well understood, it is not possible to pinpoint risk factors. Even the symptoms leading to autoimmune disease are vague. The best way to be cautious with this disease is that you talk to your doctor if you feel something is not right.

Depression

This is not actual health complication, but can lead to many. And so I thought mentioning depression in this list makes sense. Depression is very largely ignored health condition. You need to be mentally healthy and strong for your other parts of body to work well. Therefore, it is very important to keep yourself away from depression. The most effective ways is by talking to your loved ones, including physical activity in your lifestyle, performing meditation for mental peace. If you find these are not working, then it is always a good option to visit a doctor and talk about your mental stress.

Now let us take a look at the risk factors:

• Stress
• Some medications
• Alcohol or drugs
• Certain medical conditions

These are some of the most common health complications a woman may go through in her life. However, it is easy to avoid this by taking proper measures by involving a healthy lifestyle. Keeping distance from excessive drinking and smoking habit can also take you far away from health complications. Apart from this, you only have to make small changes in your daily routine, such as include more green veggies and fresh fruits in your diet, start doing some kind of physical activity, and include meditation. Last but not the least, have proper night sleep. Experts say that 7-9 hours of sleep is mandatory for a woman to stay fit and healthy. So take care of yourself, be healthy, be fit, and enjoy your life to the maximum.

If you want to share your stories, or tell us how did you overcome these health complications, then please do mention in the comment section below.