Some health and wellness issues are unique to women, and others are more common in women than men. Women are more likely than men to experience depression, have a harder time quitting smoking, and may experience more rapid bone loss due to hormonal changes at menopause.
Menopause
Some medicines may help if troubling menopause symptoms—such as hot flashes—develop. Some women report symptom relief with complementary therapies, such as black cohosh, red clover, and soy. (However, none of these products has been proven effective, and some may carry potential risks, such as liver damage.) Mind and body practices such as yoga, tai chi, hypnosis, and acupuncture may help with some menopause symptoms. However, it’s always a good idea to talk with a health care professional before trying any of these substances or practices.Urinary Tract Infections
Cranberry has been promoted for urinary tract infections (UTIs), and there’s evidence that it might be helpful in reducing the risk of these infections in women who have had a previous UTI. However, there’s still some uncertainty about the effectiveness of cranberry because some of the research has not been of high quality.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows manufacturers of cranberry dietary supplements to claim on product labels that there is “limited” evidence that daily consumption of specified amounts may reduce the risk of recurrent UTI in healthy women who have had a UTI. A similar claim may be made for cranberry juice beverages, but the evidence must be described as “limited and inconsistent.”
