06/09/2024
WHERE ARE THE ALL THE LADIES?
This is your week! September 2-6 is Women's health week which is all about raising awareness for gendered health burdens. Here are some of the unique health concerns and issues women face on a daily basis.
What may not be so commonly known is that these conditions can be significantly improved or managed through regular exercise. These conditions often involve hormonal changes, reproductive health, and post-pregnancy recovery, and physical activity has been shown to improve symptoms and outcomes in each case.
1. Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS)
β’ A hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excessive androgen production, and polycystic ovaries.
β’ How Exercise Helps: Regular physical activity helps manage PCOS by improving insulin sensitivity, reducing androgen levels, and assisting in weight management. Aerobic and resistance training exercises are particularly effective in improving metabolic and reproductive health in women with PCOS.
2. Osteoporosis
β’ Primarily affecting postmenopausal women due to a decline in estrogen levels, leading to decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures.
β’ How Exercise Helps: Weight-bearing and resistance exercises help increase bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures.
3. Gestational Diabetes
β’ Occurs during pregnancy and can lead to complications for both the mother and baby. Women who develop gestational diabetes are also at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
β’ How Exercise Helps: Regular exercise during pregnancy can help manage gestational diabetes by improving blood glucose control and reducing insulin resistance. Both aerobic exercise and resistance training are effective in controlling blood sugar levels and preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
4. Postpartum Recovery
β’ After childbirth, women often face challenges such as weakened abdominal muscles, pelvic floor dysfunction, and weight retention. Additionally, many women experience postpartum depression or anxiety.
β’ How Exercise Helps: Postpartum exercise helps strengthen the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, improving recovery and reducing the risk of incontinence and diastasis recti (Pelvic floor muscle training).
5. Menopause and Menopausal Symptoms
β’ Hormonal changes that occur during menopause can lead to symptoms like hot flashes, weight gain, and a decline in bone density, along with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
β’ How Exercise Helps: Strength training and weight-bearing exercises help improve bone density, while aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve mental health.
6. Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods)
β’ Painful menstrual cramps that can interfere with daily activities.
β’ How Exercise Helps: Aerobic exercise helps increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and release endorphins, all of which can reduce the intensity of menstrual cramps.
7. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
β’ Pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence, often occurs after childbirth or during menopause due to weakening of the pelvic floor muscles.
β’ How Exercise Helps: Pelvic floor exercises (such as Kegels) strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, reducing the risk of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
Are you needing some further guidance on how an Exercise Physiologist can help your health ladies? We have Ahna our lovely Female Friendly Exercise Physiologist on hand. She is well versed in women's having plenty of experience working in women's only gyms and clinical settings.
Check her out on our website: https://www.pcassexphys.com.au/ahna-cassimatis