But what may seem like nothing to you could, in fact, be an indicator of a serious, even potentially fatal, health issue. Here are seven health symptoms that require action:
1. Irregular menstrual periods. Check with a doctor if your periods are very heavy or contain large clots, or if they last more than seven days or two or more days longer than usual. Spotting between periods is another potential sign of trouble. Bleeding after intercourse is another issue to note. “Frequently these symptoms are left unquestioned and untreated for an inordinate amount of time,” says James A. Simon, M.D., clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
But these symptoms could be the result of a hormonal imbalance, thyroid disease, uterine fibroids, uterine polyps (noncancerous growths in the endometrium) or even cervical or uterine cancer, which is the most commonly diagnosed gynecological cancer. Get the right diagnosis, which is mandatory to avoid unnecessary procedures such as a hysterectomy. A Pap test, a transvaginal ultrasound, an endometrial biopsy and a hysteroscopy are the procedures to determine the cause.
Another condition associated with menopause is hot flashes, which involve sweating profusely, heart palpitations and sleeplessness. But these symptoms could mask hyperthyroidism, when the thyroid produces excess amounts of thyroxine and overstimulates the organs, speeding up many body functions. If this is the case, treatment is recommended to prevent loss of bone mineral density, which can cause osteoporosis, stroke or heart failure.
2. Mild pain or discomfort in the chest. Don’t hesitate to call 911 because you might be having a heart attack. Perhaps you feel pain in the shoulder, neck or jaw. Do you have nausea and vomiting? Are you sweaty, lightheaded or feeling faint? Severe anxiety or confusion may be another indicator of a heart attack, a condition that presents itself differently, depending on your gender, age and type of heart disease.