A gynecologist shares health mistakes she observed in 2019

Why do we visit a gynecologist? Only when we are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or suffering from something far graver. What most of us fail to realise is that a regular health consultation with a gynecologist can help us in preventing smaller issues from catapulting into big ones. We spoke to Dr. Neha Pawar Consultant, Gynaecology M.S. (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) from Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital who shared her observation from the cases she saw in 2019 and what she would like to tell everyone...

Your weight doesn't define your health!
A common error that I see my patients make is to link their weight as a marker of their overall health . Regardless of their weight, Indian women still have the poorest Hemoglobin levels, and are invariably low on their calcium reserves as well. Although a good body image is something that every woman longs for, remember that drastic weight loss, crash diets and over aggressive physical training may do you more harm than good, and may not be sustainable either. So, in addition to the advice of your physical trainer, do consult a doctor before you embark on any crash fitness programme, understand how your body functions and realise that you have your own unique set of body requirements which need to be respected.

What can they do?
Hormones, weight issues, period issues in younger women and Diabetes, obesity in older women are all essentially linked to our genetic makeup, but more importantly, our current lifestyles. Genes can't be changed, but lifestyles can definitely be improved with mindful eating, adequate sleep, and regular physical exercise.

Remember, health is not merely the absence of disease. It is the physical, mental, and emotional sense of the well-being of the woman, which goes a long way in deciding the overall well-being of her family.