Understand your body
Gaining perspective on symptoms, risk factors, and test results
Is your body sending you a secret message, maybe even a cry for help? Many women
come to us when they are not feeling like themselves, suspecting that something
is wrong with their bodies. Some are concerned with what certain risk factors mean
for their health. Others have test results they don’t understand, which cause
them worry. The one thing they all know for sure is that they need answers — and
Women to Women is committed to helping you find them.
Your symptoms: blessings in disguise?
Have you been experiencing physical symptoms that interfere with your daily life?
Maybe you’ve searched for ways to feel better without realizing that your symptoms
are connected to PMS, perimenopause or menopause. You may even have been put on
hormone replacement therapy despite its known risks. Your hot flashes, night sweats,
irregular periods, craving for sweets, vaginal dryness, and even insomnia are signs
that you have underlying hormonal imbalances or metabolic damage due to stress,
poor nutrition, or other factors. Learn more about your
symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
Risk factors: liabilities or opportunities?
Many of us think of risk factors as threats to our health — immutable attributes
that determine whether we’ll suffer from a specific condition or health issue. This
is a particular concern when it comes to bone health. But misunderstandings about
what risk factors really mean for your bones have prevented countless women from
taking advantage of the many opportunities to improve their bone health, while needlessly
fostering fear over fractures that can be prevented. Learn what your
bone health risk factors mean and how you can use them to dial down your
risk.
Test results: when should I worry?
Advances in medicine have created an assortment of tests and screening tools, which
are used to maintain women’s wellness or to uncover the sources of health problems.
Some tests are used preventively, while others are intended to confirm or diagnose
an illness or dysfunction of some type. Our testing section explains these tests,
helps you understand why they might be important for you, and discusses what your
test results might mean for your health. Learn more about our take on tests.
How the Personal Program can help
The Personal Program is a natural, guided, at-home approach to taking control of
your health, based on over 25 years of clinical success. Four versions of the Personal
Program address each of the four most common health issues facing women today:
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-800-798-7902.
We’re here to listen and help.
Original Publication Date: 11/02/2002
Last Modified:
08/26/2009
Principal Author: Dixie Mills, MD