Business Insight Women's Health Many medical conditions are associated with gender. Not by my choice, but rather frequency of incidents, some dermatology/ immunology problems are not an exception. Hidradenitis Suppurative is one of them. A very painful, difficult to manage, and extremely annoying disease of immune system, presenting through rapidly growing nodules, mostly in the areas of skin folds like under the breast, groin, armpits. More than likely, related to hormonal changes, the disease is still unknown more than known. There are very few treatments, most of which are only half-solutions. Another quite female-related disordered organs would be thyroid. Both hyper- and hypothyroidism are much more frequently diagnosed in women. Diseases of thyroid affect the entire body as thyroid hormones influence practically every organ: heart, eyes, skin, nails, hair, and more. If not diagnosed well and treated, thyroid diseases can become quite dangerous to overall well-being and health. presented by Arlington Dermatology Obviously, there are many disorders related to female reproductive organs as well. Women progress their life cycles with multiple hormonal changes, from menstruation, through full reproductive age, through perimenopause and menopause, to older age. During these stages, their bodies respond with various symptoms that are very individual and specific but may complicate their normal life. While some of the medical problems women experience are not 'abnormal' but rather strictly related to the fact that they are women, some of the symptoms can be quite debilitating. Hormones cause mood changes, skin changes, pelvic pain, headaches, breast tenderness, and more. It is said that 50% of women do not get proper medical care throughout their lives. They do not receive preventive care and education on how to handle some of their medical issues. Often, they visit random medical providers to seek prescriptions for pain or infection rather than discuss their problems with someone who can address their general health and come up with a good prevention plan. I have seen many female patients who are desperate to get better but often, they do not know where to turn. They are sometimes embarrassed of their medical problems and rather than talk about them, they close internally and isolate socially. Many, often young and active, do not participate in any activities because of the symptoms they experience. Their quality of life goes downhill because of not knowing how to get help. While medicine does not have all the answers and is still searching newer and better treatments, many cases of developing female related disorders can be helped with early intervention and proper prevention. Women should seek assistance in their health maintenance from early age. The rules and habits developed early usually running to a doctor every month. But become permanent. It does not mean establishing relationships with general providers and seeking education about their health should be a norm of every girl who starts menses. Establishing preventive and hygienic rules early allows patients to avoid growing problems later. Routine annual check-ups should be a norm as well. And the best would be to continue the same providers who can eventually coordinate care with specialists if needed. Women are our mothers, wives, daughters, friends. Their health and good quality of life should be our priority. Access to proper medical care should be a given. Let's make sure we all protect rights that provide that. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight Women's Health Many medical conditions are associated with gender . Not by my choice , but rather frequency of incidents , some dermatology / immunology problems are not an exception . Hidradenitis Suppurative is one of them . A very painful , difficult to manage , and extremely annoying disease of immune system , presenting through rapidly growing nodules , mostly in the areas of skin folds like under the breast , groin , armpits . More than likely , related to hormonal changes , the disease is still unknown more than known . There are very few treatments , most of which are only half - solutions . Another quite female - related disordered organs would be thyroid . Both hyper and hypothyroidism are much more frequently diagnosed in women . Diseases of thyroid affect the entire body as thyroid hormones influence practically every organ : heart , eyes , skin , nails , hair , and more . If not diagnosed well and treated , thyroid diseases can become quite dangerous to overall well - being and health . presented by Arlington Dermatology Obviously , there are many disorders related to female reproductive organs as well . Women progress their life cycles with multiple hormonal changes , from menstruation , through full reproductive age , through perimenopause and menopause , to older age . During these stages , their bodies respond with various symptoms that are very individual and specific but may complicate their normal life . While some of the medical problems women experience are not ' abnormal ' but rather strictly related to the fact that they are women , some of the symptoms can be quite debilitating . Hormones cause mood changes , skin changes , pelvic pain , headaches , breast tenderness , and more . It is said that 50 % of women do not get proper medical care throughout their lives . They do not receive preventive care and education on how to handle some of their medical issues . Often , they visit random medical providers to seek prescriptions for pain or infection rather than discuss their problems with someone who can address their general health and come up with a good prevention plan . I have seen many female patients who are desperate to get better but often , they do not know where to turn . They are sometimes embarrassed of their medical problems and rather than talk about them , they close internally and isolate socially . Many , often young and active , do not participate in any activities because of the symptoms they experience . Their quality of life goes downhill because of not knowing how to get help . While medicine does not have all the answers and is still searching newer and better treatments , many cases of developing female related disorders can be helped with early intervention and proper prevention . Women should seek assistance in their health maintenance from early age . The rules and habits developed early usually running to a doctor every month . But become permanent . It does not mean establishing relationships with general providers and seeking education about their health should be a norm of every girl who starts menses . Establishing preventive and hygienic rules early allows patients to avoid growing problems later . Routine annual check - ups should be a norm as well . And the best would be to continue the same providers who can eventually coordinate care with specialists if needed . Women are our mothers , wives , daughters , friends . Their health and good quality of life should be our priority . Access to proper medical care should be a given . Let's make sure we all protect rights that provide that . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net