H WOMEN’S HEALT
GP reveals the five symptoms women should never ignore Common symptoms that often go unreported By Dr Elizabeth Rosen, obstetrics and gynaecology specialist for Livi. Persistent fatigue Tiredness is very common, and whilst it’s not concerning to feel tired once in a while, ongoing fatigue that you experience over a long period of time could be an indication of an underlying health issue. There are several possible reasons for fatigue, ranging from lack of proper sleep, vitamin D or iron deficiency, to medical problems such as depression, 30
heart disease or an underactive thyroid. Fatigue is one of the main symptoms of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), an autoimmune disease that mainly affects women. The condition has symptoms of tiredness, feeling cold, lack of concentration, depression, dry skin, brittle hair and nails, constipation, weight gain, a low heart rate and muscle pain and weakness. You should speak to a GP if you’re experiencing these symptoms. Abdominal discomfort Whilst bloating can be common, increased abdominal size over a period of time can be a symptom of ovarian cancer. This is one of the most common forms of gynaecological
cancers, but unfortunately it is often diagnosed late, due to lack of awareness of the symptoms. Bloating can also be a sign of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), constipation, or intolerance towards certain types of food, such as lactose or gluten, so it’s important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor to get a thorough diagnosis. Ovarian cancer is often a difficult cancer to identify, but there are some key symptoms to look out for. These include lower abdominal pain, increased urinary urgency, weight loss,
