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Medications Women's Health

Common Health Conditions Affecting Women

Women experience a range of common health conditions including reproductive issues, cardiovascular issues, breast issues and others. Some of these conditions are unique to women, while some of them are present in both genders, however occur very differently in women. Hence it’s important to take care of women’s health and wellness. At Meds For Less, we have a range of medications to treat various common health conditions affecting women. Please browse our catalogue below and know that you can easily, reliably and conveniently order Medicines and expect delivery to your home address within 24 hours. Women experience a range of common health conditions that affect only them or affect them differently to men due to the biological, psychological and social factors. Some of the most common health conditions affecting women include:

Reproductive and Gynecological Health issues:
- Menstrual disorders like dysmenorrhea (painful periods), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), or Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Endometriosis – a painful condition where uterine tissue lining grows outside the uterus
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , a hormonal disorder that can cause irregular periods, ovarian cysts and issues with decreasing fertility
- Fibroids – non cancerous growths in the uterus that can cause painful and heavy periods
- Menopause – a condition which affects every woman where her periods stop occurring. Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, sleep disturbances and mood changes.
- Cancer of the cervix, uterus, ovaries or other reproductive structures
- Thrush – fungal infection of primarily the vagina but also the mouth and possibly the skin
Cardiovascular health issues
- Women are at higher risk of strokes than men due to experiencing unique conditions such as pregnancy and menstrual cycle hormonal changes
- Women also experience heart disease very differently than men which can make it seem like a unique condition and it often goes undiagnosed
Breast health issues
- Mastitis – inflammation of the breast tissue
- Breast Cancer
- Breast abscess – a painful presence of pus in the breast caused by bacteria
- Non cancerous changes in the breast
Bone Health issues
- Women are at higher risk for conditions such as osteoporosis especially after Menopause (or the change) due to the hormonal change that happen in the body
Autoimmune conditions
- Women are at a much higher risk for autoimmune conditions such as Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis

Types of Medications for Women’s Health

There are a range of medications that can be used to treat the wide range of women’s health conditions. These options on medications for women’s health include:

Antifungal creams such as Diflucan, Clotrimazole and Canesten thrush cream to treat thrush and other fungal infections
Contraceptive pills such as Cerazette and Cerelle (Progesterone only pills), or Cilique (Combined oral contraceptive pills)
Antibiotics such as Doxycycline or Dalacin cream which is used for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis
Pregnancy tests or Tests for Vaginal thrush to help you decipher if there’s been any change in your body

Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter Options

Of the range of medicines that can help with common healthcare conditions for women, some are available Over-the-Counter (OTC) while some require a prescription. Below is a brief overview of prescription and OTC medicines available: We have Prescription medications such as Combined Oral Contraceptive Medication (Cilique, Rigevidon), Progesterone Only Pills (Cerazette), Drugs for infertility (Clomid) Overactive Bladders medicines (BetMigra) or Antibiotics. Our over the counter medicines that we have available include Antifungal creams, pills or pessaries for thrush, Fertility support supplement pills and Vitamin supplements.

Side Effects and Considerations for Women’s Medications

It’s important to understand the potential side effects and cautions that accompany any of the medications that are taken for common health conditions. Some of the side effects of most notable medicines include:

Nausea, vomiting or breast tenderness as a side effects of the contraceptive medication.
- Hormonal medication like contraceptives have cautions of increased risk of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes or breast cancer
Side effects of osteoporosis medicines such as hot flashes, nausea, heartburn or in rare cases , jawbone problems
If you are taking painkillers such as Ibuprofen or Diclofenac for heavy or painful periods, its important to take caution as heavy usage can cause stomach irritation and inflammation
Side effects of antifungal oral pills include nausea, headache, stomach pain or diarrhea

Each medication you take will have its own set of precautions and side effects. Please see the patient information leaflet that accompanies each medicine pack for more information about specific drug information.

How to Choose the Right Medication for Your Health Needs

Choosing the right medication for women’s health involves considering various factors such as pre-existing health medicines, hormonal , reproductive and other-gender related factors. One of the most important factors when choosing the right medication for your needs, is understanding the primary condition for which treatment is being considered. The three main categories in women’s health considerations are reproductive health, hormonal changes or chronic conditions. The appropriate medication for each category of illness and the specific condition being treated must be properly considered. For each medicine that you consider, you may also consider the side effects and cautions that come with them and how these might affect you in your daily life. This will help you make an informed decision. If you feel that you may require treatment for any health condition, please speak to your healthcare provider about your health concerns so you can work in consultation with them to make an informed decision about your health. When choosing a medication for your needs, you may also consider any pre-existing conditions, hormonal imbalance you have or your age and life stage may interact with any new medication you are considering. You can consider these factors in close consultation with your healthcare provider

When to Consult a Doctor for Women’s Health Medications.

Knowing when to consult a healthcare provider for women’s health medications is important for safe and effective use. Some key situations where it may be important to consult a doctor for women’s health issues include:

New symptoms or conditions, especially those where there is persistent pain, unusual bleeding, hot flashes, night sweats or significant changes in your period patterns.
It’s important to consult a doctor If you are starting a new prescription medication, especially those such as contraceptives, Hormonal replacement Therapy (HRT) or fertility medication.
It may be a good idea to discuss with your healthcare provider when doing family planning or considering pregnancy.
It might also be worthwhile to consider consulting a doctor if chronic health conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure or longstanding allergies start to get worse or are out of control.

If at any point you feel like you need to see a healthcare professional about your health or to review any medicine you are taking, please seek out the help you need.

FAQ

What are the most effective medications for women's health issues like menopause and hormonal imbalance?

There are a range of hormonal and non hormonal treatment options for women’s health issues such as menopause or hormonal imbalances. These options include:

Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT)
- HRT can be very effective in the management of menopause and hormonal imbalances. The types of HRT are:
  - Estrogen therapy – good for alleviating menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness
  - Combination of estrogen and progesterone therapy – alleviates menopause symptoms but also contains synthetic progesterone (Progestin) which helps protect the uterine lining from the risk of endometrial cancer
Selective Estrogen receptor Modulators (SERMs) are used for postmenopausal women who may be, or are likely to suffer from osteoporosis. These medicines stimulate oestrogen receptors on bone and not on other body tissues and hence allow bones to remain strong, even after menopause.
Progestins – synthetic forms of progesterone, can be used alone or in combination with estrogen (as part of HRT). These can help in hormonal imbalances and help regulate menopause when used in conjunction with estrogen. Examples of progestins include Norethisterone and Medroxyprogesterone (Provera)

Non hormonal medication options for managing menopause and hormonal imbalances include:

Bisphosphonates for osteoporosis – a common condition characterised by weak bones in women who undergo menopause and hormonal imbalances
Antidepressants such as Sertraline or Fluoxetine can also be used in the management of hot flashes, mood swings and anxiety that occur in menopause

Please consult your healthcare provider about your health status and symptoms so that they can help you make a decision about the best medicines for menopause or hormonal imbalances.

How do different aids for women's health support reproductive health and wellness?

There are a range of items that can help support women in their reproductive health and wellness. These options include:

Hormonal contraceptives which can help with pregnancy prevention, regulating the menstrual cycle, acne control and the management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Fertility aids such as Clomid pill which can help women who are struggling with ovulation issues, irregular cycles and subfertility, conceive
During menopause, the level of reproductive hormones in the body drops which causes the uncomfortable menopause symptoms. Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) helps maintain levels of reproductive hormones and aids women’s health by relieving symptoms.
There some menstrual health aids such as painkillers (Ibuprofen, paracetamol) for period pain, birth control to make periods lighter, or iron supplements to account for heavy bleeding
Vaginal lubricants, probiotics and estrogen can be used to treat vaginal health issues such as dryness, irritation or yeast infections.

Are there natural alternatives to medications for women's health that offer similar benefits?

There are natural alternatives to medications that are taken to treat common women’s health conditions. These alternatives usually involve lifestyle changes, dietary supplements and herbal remedies to manage symptoms and improve wellness. These natural options include:

Herbal remedies like Vitex (Chasteberry) to treat PreMenstrual syndrome, Black cohosh to manage mood swings in menopause or Maca Root to support energy levels and balance hormones in menopausal women.
Herbal remedies such as ginger, turmeric or cinnamon to manage painful or heavy periods
Myo-inositol, Red clover and Raspberry Tea Leaf are Natural methods to help improve uterine health and fertility
Dietary adjustments, particularly the intake of more estrogen containing compounds such as flaxseeds or soy to mimic estrogen’s natural effects and alleviate some discomforting menstrual symptoms.
Using a hot pad or gentle yoga can help alleviate menstrual cramps naturally

Please consult your healthcare provider about the natural and pharmacological options to help treat your symptoms and improve your overall wellness.

What should I consider when choosing medications women health for menstrual pain and PMS?

When choosing medicines for menstrual pain or PMS, there are several factors to consider when choosing the right medication. These include:

Painkillers such Ibuprofen or paracetamol for the menstrual pain or breast tenderness with PMS
Low dose antidepressants for the mood swings that accompany PMS
Weak diuretics if there is particularly enhanced bloating with PMS

If there are any underlying health conditions such as stomach issues, liver issues or allergies to any particular medication, please consult your healthcare provider about how any medicines you might take might affect you.

Can over-the-counter medications for women's health help with conditions like PCOS and endometriosis?

Over the counter medications for women’s health can provide symptomatic relief for conditions like PCOS and endometriosis but are not good enough to completely treat these conditions.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder caused by multiple cysts (bubbles on the ovaries). This disorder is characterised by irregular periods and excess hormone levels.

Over the Counter (OTC) medications cannot treat PCOS but painkillers such as Ibuprofen can be used to treat pain from pelvic cramps. OTC medications like Benzoyl peroxide (Acnecide) or salicylic acid can be used in the treatment of acne associated with PCOS.

Weight loss and management can also help in PCOS, having a balanced diet, an increased exercise routine and some OTC vitamin supplements can help in the management of PCOS.

Endometriosis is a condition where the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and this can cause painful and heavy periods. OTC options cannot be used to treat endometriosis. However OTC painkillers like Ibuprofen or paracetamol can be used to reduce the pain associated with endometriosis.

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