14-05-2025
Women's Health Week: Local doctors talk common health issues among aging women
BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C (WSAV) — As you age, you become more prone to issues surrounding your health.
Local doctors said, in women specifically, there are many health misconceptions that are written off as normal, when women should actually seek help.
Local doctors said that women often joke about their health-related issues being a part of getting 'old,' but there can be signs of something wrong.
Brittle bones, for example, is something Orthopedic Surgeon with Novant Health, Dr. Kevin Jones said is likely Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bone density to weaken over time.
'Bone density is particularly important with women since women have a higher incidence of osteoporosis. And so, it's important that the bone density is monitored, particularly after about age 50,' said Jones.
Women are at higher risk along with another disease he has seen often.
'The most common thing we see is Osteoarthritis, which means you lose the articular cartilage. In other words, the cushion that covers the bone starts to sand down. In the worst case, it wears all the way down to the bone so that it's vulnerable.'
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Urologist, Dr. Eric Gywnn of Novant Health, said that during or right after pregnancy, a weak or leaky bladder can be normal. If it continues to be an issue into older age, it is a more serious problem.
'There are some misconceptions out here. 'Well, I'm just getting older, so I'm going to have leakage of urine.' I mean, it's not true. It's very treatable.,' said Dr. Gwynn. 'We have to determine what causes the leakage and then we can treat it either with medication or minimally invasive surgical therapy or sometimes not surgery at all.'
Dr. Gwynn recommended that women should seek bladder treatment sooner than later.
'The longer the bladder dysfunction goes on, the more difficult it is to treat. And sometimes it's a little more complicated to treat. So, from that early on, if there's pelvic organ prolapse or something going on vaginally, treating it earlier is better,' said Gwynn.
Even the natural shift towards menopause is something OB-GYN, Dr. Meredith Mitchell said can cause women a lot of discomfort as they get older.
'I like to start by helping women understand what's happening in their body because it can be very confusing,' said Dr. Mitchell. 'Your cycles can change, sometimes your mood can change, your sleep changes, your weight can change. Sometimes you have brain fog, sometimes you have joint pain.'
She said all women experience different symptoms, and not all women want the same treatments.
'It's not a one size fits all treatment for every woman. You have to really tailor it to each person.'
Though it's a natural change, Dr. Mitchell said, women don't have to go through it without guidance.
'Sometimes just acknowledging and knowing what's going on is powerful, because you can understand what's going on and that helps you accept it and find ways to manage it.'
The doctors said never to ignore the signs your body is giving you. If you feel in your gut that something isn't right, go to your doctor and ask for help. A long day of tests is better than a lifetime of worry.
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