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Original poster

The roles of female organs and hormones in the human body in maintaining good health

33 replies

MeMarmiteYouJam · 28/12/2020 10:50

I am not medically trained, but over the years I've realised more and more how misunderstood, under-researched and just generally ignored the female human body is. In terms of the impact of medicines, the cycle of hormones (monthly, and over a lifetime), the difference in immune system responses (it turns out that women might be better protected from the Covid vaccine, for instance, due to a stronger immune response), the impact of thyroid conditions, etc.

There's also just the actual composition of the female body, in that the health of the woman's uterus impacts her entire pelvic health - the uterus holds the bladder and lower intestines in place. My own mother wasn't told about this when she was given a hysterectomy when she was 36, and has dealt with incontinence and constipation for years as a result.

I consider my periods to be a fairly good indicator of how well I am - they went wonky earlier this year as a direct result of massive stress, for example.

Female-centric medicine just doesn't really exist, does it? I find it really frustrating, because a little bit of knowledge and understanding would be a massive help to so many. I don't know much, but I'd like to understand more - what is the lifelong impact on my immune system from having children? How does my breast cancer risk reduce because I've breastfed? What kinds of health issues impact/change a woman's cycle? What is the range of normal for such things? Why do women suffer from endometriosis and why isn't there more options for helping them? etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
MeMarmiteYouJam · 28/12/2020 15:07

uteruses only grow babies or cancer

That's a repulsive attitude to have though not surprising. Pelvic health is inconsequential.

OP posts:
Original poster
MeMarmiteYouJam · 28/12/2020 15:06

Yes, women aren't just smaller men! Our skeletal structure is different, our organs are in slightly different positions, hormones are different, etc etc. Medicine can't just be scaled down for dosage or something.

OP posts:
vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 28/12/2020 14:54

A gynaecologist suggested removing my uterus while they were doing a different operation because "uteruses only grow babies or cancer".

There is nothing wrong with my uterus.

I'd be interested to know whether urologists suggest removing redundant
testicles for similar reasons.

SilverOtter · 28/12/2020 14:28

It's an interesting area, and one that could do with more focus.
I work in healthcare and used to work as a screener for a potentially fatal condition that primarily affected men. It could affect women, but in such small numbers that the research just didn't support screening women. It's one reason I think it's dangerous to want to 'change' ones biological sex - it could rule someone out of lifesaving screening!

JohnMcClane · 28/12/2020 14:21

I had a hysterectomy a few years a due to fibroids. The surgeon only removed my uterus as due to my age, they don't remove ovaries unless they absolutely need to and he was didn't remove my cervix as it plays an important role in the internal structure.

Even when ovaries are retained they can go 'dormant' and will stop functioning normally sooner than normal causing early menopause.

This is what happened to me and doesn't just cause hot flushes and mood swings. It affects mental health, sleep patterns, skin condition and weight, memory and physical strength and stamina.

These are things we're just expected to live with. I think its still seen as a taboo subject.

highame · 28/12/2020 13:58

I am optimistic that research will start to concentrate on women instead of using men as the standard. There seems to be a realisation that (and yes it's always money) there will be specific needs for women and as 50%ish of the population it has been unwise to see our health needs as irrelevant. It might even be that the whole trans debate has shone a light on how different our bodies really are instead of just supposing we were lighter weight men.

Wonder if that's a throw back to the 'women made from the rib of adam' could well be, these things go deep

GrouchyKiwi · 28/12/2020 13:52

I meant to add that the condition is generally more difficult for women than men because of the role of female hormones, especially progesterone.

GrouchyKiwi · 28/12/2020 13:51

Absolutely. I have a health condition which disproportionately affects women, and very little is known about it for that very reason. I wasn't diagnosed till my late 20s even though I'd had symptoms of it my whole life.

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