Female Health Treatment Options

Women face unique health issues that many require different treatment protocols. Some health conditions only affect women, such as postpartum depression and menopause. Women are also at a higher risk for developing certain health issues, including anxiety and mental health issues common to the elderly. Female health treatment options must address the specific needs of women to be effective.

What Causes Female Health Issues?

Women might develop a physical or mental health issue due to a number of reasons. One of the areas where the greatest differences in health issues are seen is with common mental disorders. Women are much more likely to develop somatic issues, anxiety and depression, according to the World Health Organization. At the top of the list for female mental health issues is depression. No one cause for depression in women exists, but potential causes include:

• Genetics
• Chemical imbalance
• Stress
• Hormonal issues
• Physical illness

Men might have a family history of depression, a chemical imbalance in the brain, stress in their lives or a serious physical illness, such as heart disease or cancer, but most hormonal factors are unique to women. A mental health issue can be caused by any of the following:

• Pregnancy
• Having a baby
• Miscarriage
• Menstrual cycle issues
• Menopause
• Perimenopause

Hormonal changes related to any of these events can trigger depression and other mental health issues. According to research, three main factors can help prevent mental health issues, the lack of which could lead to a problem. These factors include support from loved ones and health professionals, sufficient material resources to allow for good decision-making when severe events occur, and the autonomy to respond to these events as desired.

Is There a Cure for Female Mental Health Issues Such as Depression?

Mental health issues can be managed with the right treatment. A mental health condition caused by pregnancy or postpartum hormonal factors might only affect a woman in the short-term if she gets help. Many female mental health issues, such as depression, might never truly be cured, but the proper treatment could get them under control so they no longer interfere with a woman’s life. If you or someone you know is depressed or suffering from another mental health issue, the best thing to do is to seek professional health. Call for assistance.

Women experience depression more frequently than men, and women face types of depression men don’t. A woman who’s depressed can have difficulty with her daily life that lasts for weeks, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Some women might not require treatment for depression, but most do.

Women are at risk for many types of depression, but the most common include minor depression, major depression and dysthymia. Major depression interferes with your ability to sleep, eat, work and generally find enjoyment in life. This might happen only once, but women are more likely to have multiple episodes of major depression. Another common type of depression is dysthymia, which is when someone feels depressed for two years or longer. The symptoms aren’t as severe as with major depression, but do tend to last much longer. Minor depression doesn’t usually last as long as dysthymia and the feelings are less severe.

Women might also experience postpartum depression. Although many women feel sad following childbirth, postpartum depression causes a range of severe symptoms. According to Medline Plus, women might begin to experience postpartum depression within a year after giving birth. The cause of postpartum depression is unknown, but experts believe the stress of caring for a baby combined with the physical and hormonal changes women go through could contribute to the condition. Women who’ve previously been depressed are more likely to develop postpartum depression.

If you have postpartum depression, you might feel hopeless and worthless. You might not feel interested in your baby. In rare cases, women might attempt to harm themselves or their babies because of postpartum depression.

Women who feel severely depressed before their menstrual cycle could have premenstrual dysphoric disorder, according to Medline Plus. They might also feel irritable and tense. Their symptoms are more intense than those associated with premenstrual syndrome and tend to stop when menstruation begins, or soon after.

Therapies for Female Health Disorders

No matter the problem, effective therapies for female health disorders are available. One of the most popular therapies for a range of health issues is called cognitive behavioral therapy. This and other treatments can help you or a loved one address issues with your health.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Treatments

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help women by showing them how to observe the relationship between their thoughts, feelings and actions, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This type of therapy involves examining the thought patterns that lead to self-destructive behaviors. CBT also analyzes the false and irrational beliefs that contribute to mental disorders and unhealthy actions. Through changing thought patterns, a woman might be able to better cope with mental disorders.

Once a woman is able to identify the thoughts and beliefs at the root of her problems, she can begin to see them not as facts, but as assumptions. By challenging negative assumptions, she can realize they’re irrational. The negative thoughts are then replaced with positive ones, which can lead to new and more beneficial actions.

Health professionals recommend CBT for a range for health issues. This type of therapy can be beneficial for treating conditions including:

• Insomnia and other sleep issues
• Mood disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Personality disorders
• Substance abuse
• Alcohol dependence
• Psychotic disorders

Other Therapeutic Methods

You can try many other therapeutic methods in conjunction with CBT or without it. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a more exploratory form of therapy than CBT. This type of therapy is useful for people with mild to moderate depression, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Psychotherapy helps women identify the feelings, actions and ideas that play a role in their depression to give them a greater sense of control over their condition.

Drug therapies are effective for women. A general practitioner or psychiatrist might prescribe medications based on a woman’s health problems.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a type of therapy used in some cases of severe depression or mania, catatonia and some other mental health issues. During ECT, an electric current is run through an anesthetized patient to cause a seizure. It’s meant to stimulate the release of brain chemicals that improve communication between nerves.

Women with hormonal disruptions could benefit from hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This therapy might help women who are depressed or experiencing mood changes associated with premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It can also help those who have sudden drops in the levels of hormones after menopause or childbirth. HRT may also prevent osteoporosis and decrease memory loss.

Self-help methods, such as daily exercise, engaging in social activities, finding time to relax and eating healthy foods, are beneficial for depression and other health issues affecting women. Making positive choices daily and accepting support from other people will gradually make you feel better, according to HelpGuide.org.

Residential Inpatient Female Health Treatment Centers

Residential inpatient female health treatment centers provide care for hospitalized patients and people who can’t live on their own. Inpatient therapy might include evaluation, goal setting, rehabilitation and learning skills for self-sufficiency to prepare a woman to return home or transfer to another healthcare setting. Women live at a residential center and receive help to recover from their health issues. These facilities provide treatment for many female health problems, including:

• Preventing relapse
• Anxiety, depression and other mood disorders
• Relationship difficulties
• Trauma
• Alcohol and substance abuse
• Domestic violence
• Sexual abuse
• Women’s health

Most treatment centers allow residents to receive visitors and encourage family members to attend family therapy and group meetings.

The Benefits of Residential Female Health Treatment

Many benefits to residential female health treatment programs exist, which can make recovery easier for many people. Staying at a residential center means on-site medical professionals, and, in some cases, around-the-clock nurses are available to immediately provide assistance.

A residential facility also shields you from outside distractions. Within a treatment center, it’s much easier to focus on getting better without the stresses of the real world that can make recovery harder.

Luxury Women’s Health Facilities

Luxury women’s health facilities provide the most comfortable and private way to get help. These facilities offer various desirable options, such as gourmet cooking, massage treatments and spacious rooms. At some health facilities, patients must perform chores, share rooms and live in hospital-like conditions, but not so at luxury women’s health facilities.

Executive Women’s Health Programs

Female executives have a unique set of challenges that come with the fast-paced, high-pressure lives they lead. Executive women’s health programs are run by medical professionals who understand the difficulties businesswomen face in today’s world. If you’re an executive in need of a program that fits your lifestyle, contact us by phone at for help finding an effective executive women’s treatment program.

Outpatient Women’s Health Rehab and Treatment Programs

Not everyone needs inpatient assistance for rehabilitation. Some women do well with outpatient treatment programs. Outpatient women’s health rehab and treatment programs focus on people who can manage their recovery at home by attending meetings with medical professionals and support groups on their own. Outpatient services often offered include:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Behavioral therapy
• Pelvic floor rehabilitation
• Biofeedback
• Postural training
• Pain management
• Counseling
• Electrical stimulation
• Manual stretching and myofascial release
• Family therapy

These outpatient services can help women recover from mental and physical health issues, either immediately following a diagnosis or after time in an inpatient program.

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications

Medications can be useful for women with a variety of health concerns. Antidepressants and mood stabilizers help to manage mood disorders, depression and other health issues. Alcohol dependence and other addictive disorders can improve with the use of narcotic antagonist medications. Because women have a different biology than men, they usually require lower doses of antidepressants and other drugs. Women are also at a greater risk for side effects than men are.

How to Find the Best Female Health Treatment Facility

Women searching for the best female health treatment facility can get overwhelmed considering the options, or in some cases, they may not know where to start. Women are more likely than men to need treatment for more than one health condition at the same time. The first step to choosing a facility should be narrowing down the options to one that’s qualified to help you with all your needs.