7 Symptoms Women Shouldn’t Ignore

Minor issue or major problem? Here, the top seven symptoms women should not overlook.

Excruciating pain, difficulty breathing or finding a lump would no doubt prompt you to seek medical attention. However, sometimes the warning signs of serious illness are more subtle.

RELATED: 7 SYMPTOMS MEN SHOULDN’T IGNORE

Blood where (and when) there shouldn’t be blood

Women, as well as men, shouldn’t ignore blood in the stool or urine, or blood that’s coughed up (sputum). However, women should also talk to their doctors about unusual vaginal bleeding, including symptoms like:

– Bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods.

– Heavy bleeding.

– Bleeding and pain during intercourse.

– Bleeding or spotting after menopause.

While it’s normal for some women to experience bleeding when they ovulate, and abnormal bleeding can be a sign of perimenopause for those over 40, the symptoms can also result from endometrial, cervical, uterine or ovarian cancer. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperthyroidism or pelvic inflammatory disease can also be to blame – as can fibroids, certain medications (like birth control) and stress.

Unexplained weight loss or gain

Doctors consider losing 5-10 per cent of one’s body weight within a six-month period worrisome, or a steadily dropping weight. In fact, doctors warn women to have any changes in weight checked out — especially before changing medications or eating habits.

Changes in appetite or hormone levels can cause a drop in body weight, and the culprits could be diabetes, conditions affecting the hormones like hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) or Addison’s disease, cancer, depression or dementia. Disorders that affect your body’s ability to absorb nutrients — like celiac disease — can also lead to weight loss.

And, experts say weight gain isn’t an inevitable part of aging but that treatable causes could be the issue — like hypothyroidism (where the thyroid produces too little hormone), certain medications (like steroids and antidepressants) and conditions affecting the hormones (like polycystic ovary syndrome or Cushing’s disease).

Painful, red and swollen joints

Most types of arthritis are more common among women then men and that includes autoimmune forms like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Inflamed joints are hallmarks of these conditions, along with other symptoms such as fatigue, fever and weight loss. Autoimmune disorders shouldn’t go unchecked as it’s possible for the immune system to attack major organs as well as the joints.

Viruses, fungi and bacteria can attack joints too causing permanent damage. While gout typically affects men more often than women, this condition has similar symptoms.

Changes in mental status

Sudden difficulty understanding, speaking or confusion can be a sign of a stroke. While recurring episodes of these symptoms could point to dementia.

New or more severe headaches

A sudden, severe headache could be a warning of a stroke, head injury, tumour, aneurysm or inflammation of the blood vessels in the head. Experts say that anyone who experiences that “worst headache of your life” feeling — especially if they don’t usually suffer from headaches should get help promptly. If everyone in a household gets a headache at the same time, a carbon monoxide leak could be to blame. (For more information see Just another headache or something worse?)

Above all, when it comes to changes in your health, be proactive, consult a health-care professional — prevention and early diagnosis is key.

Sources: The Arthritis Society, The Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, MayoClinic.com, MSNBC.com, U.S. National Institutes of Health, WebMD