Every human is susceptible to a plethora of health issues, with some being more vulnerable than others. Sickness and disease can be passed on from human to human, can be contracted from a third-party source, hereditary or generic. Male or female, there are no exceptions.
The vast majority of negative health issues are not gender selective; everyone is at risk. However, we cannot deny or overlook the fact that the male and female of the species are distinctly different. Biological differences between the genders are a matter of scientific fact, gender being governed by the individual’s chromosomes. The vast majority of humans carry either the XX chromosomes (female) or XY chromosomes (male).
As previously stated, most forms of sickness and disease have no affiliation to any particular set of chromosomes. However, the biological and physical differences between the male and female human being cannot be ignored. And, with those differences comes some gender specific medical peculiarities.
This peculiarity is perhaps most pertinent with the female of the species. The anatomical and biological differences between the male and female leaves the female with a greater prevalence to medical peculiarities than that of the male.
Majorly, this is due to the female’s biological ability to conceive, carry and give birth to new life. Typically, for a woman this period is one on around nine months. It is during this period of gestation that many of the health issues that only a female can experience manifest themselves. It is during, and after, this life experience that women require individualized, and specialized, health care.
The health issues, and their associated care, are many and varied. Some of these are directly associated with conception, carrying a child and giving birth. Other issues are more peripheral and occur as a result of the physical and mental effort that the body has undergone. Some of these health issues can be longer lasting than others and will vary greatly from woman to woman.
It is with these unique health issues that Samitivej Hospital founded their Women’s Health Center in Bangkok. This is a unique, modern facility dedicated solely to women’s health. Staffed and managed by an expert team of specialist physicians, the Women’s Health Center has established itself as the premier facility exclusively aimed at the care and treatment of women.
Prenatal Care
From the moment of conception, a woman’s body starts to undergo fundamental changes. For the most part, these changes are a natural, biological response to having been conceived, and will require nothing more than expert monitoring by trained doctors. For a few, anomalies may occur, thus requiring greater scrutiny and, where appropriate, interventional medical assistance.
Some common issues include high blood pressure, gastrointestinal diabetes and pre-eclampsia and a host of possible infections. But it is not only physical health issues that can arise during the period of gestation. Eating disorders, anxiety and depression are not uncommon, which require understanding, care and treatment from specialized experts in this field.
Identifying and correctly treating prenatal mental health issues is vital to an expectant mother’s wellbeing. Not, or incorrectly diagnosed or treated can lead to perinatal mental illness postpartum, further jeopardizing the wellbeing of both mother and baby. The Women’s Health Center in Bangkok attaches great importance to every woman’s mental health and wellbeing.
Postnatal Care
Giving birth to a new life can be physically draining, and for some, even traumatic. Fortunately, the majority of new mothers require nothing more than rest, along with basic care and consideration. For a few, as a result of the biological changes the body has undergone, the period of gestation and having given birth, other health issues may arise.
Some of the more common issues are vaginal discharge, urinary problems, fatigue, swelling of the hands and feet and sore breasts. Less common, but no less worrying for the mother, are temporary disturbances with vision and breathing difficulties. Psychological issues can also occur postnatal, such as feelings of guilt, depression and protective obsessions.
Infertility and Reproductive Issues
It’s a fact of life that some couples are able to reproduce with more ease than others. Figures compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) show that, worldwide, 17.5% of adults experience some degree of infertility, which equates to around 1 in 6 people.
A study by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) shows that between 12% and 15% of couples are unable to conceive after 12 months of trying. The same study showed that after 2 years of trying, 10% of couples had still not managed to conceive. Additionally, 14% of women have difficulty in carrying their pregnancy to full term.
Difficulties in conceiving can be worrying for couples, and particularly distressing for the woman who is biologically built to bring new life into the world. The Women’s Health Center in Bangkok diagnoses all infertility issues that couples may experience. The professional team do this with exemplary levels of sensitivity and understanding.
They employ a scientific, yet very human approach to dealing with infertility whilst embracing modern technology and treatment methodology. On issues such as infertility women often require advice and guidance in easy-to-understand language, uncluttered by scientific and medical jargon, the team realize this and ensure that all patients have a clear understanding of their own infertility and the options that are open to them.
For couples with fertility issues, IVF treatment is becoming more attainable for them through the advances in medical science. There are now several IVF options open to couples. They are conventional IVF, natural cycle IVF, mild stimulation IVF, in vitro maturation (IVM) and mini-IVF. Selecting the correct treatment plan from the available options is vital.
The center’s highly trained IVF advisory team will guide a couple through the available options, what each procedure entails, and which form of treatment would be best suited to them. Choosing IVF can be a difficult, worrisome and stressful road down which to travel. Having the Women’s Health Center team of trained physicians, advisors and counselors on hand reduces the trauma and stress that can easily accompany a couple as they travel the IVF road.
From gynecology to obstetrics, infertility and IVF, Samitivej Hospital’s Women’s Health Center in Bangkok is most certainly second to none in the field of women’s health and wellbeing. Not only is the center the field leader within Thailand, but with its growing international reputation, women from across the world are now being successfully treated at the Women’s Health Center.
