Stress and Women's Health

By Matthew Romberg

Because stress affects a woman's health, mental state and quality of life, it is important that women be in tune with their bodies in order to recognize the signs of stress. Stress affects different women in different ways. Some symptoms of stress are difficulty sleeping or concentrating, headache, stomach pain, depression and anxiety. Stress can stem from a range of circumstances, some of the major ones being death of a loved one, illness or injury, divorce, an accident or other emergency situation. Though these are some of the major stressors, stress can arise from any change in a person's routine. Happy occasions such as marriage or beginning a new job can also prompt stress. Other sources of stress are the everyday pressures of work and family responsibilities.

Stress can be short or long term, and it is not just your imagination. Stress causes chemical changes in the body, and the physical symptoms you experience are the result of your body's reaction to it. Under chronic stress, the body releases cortisol, a hormone that gives the body survival responses such as a temporary burst of energy and a heightened immunity and threshold for pain. This state of physiological arousal, which includes a heightened heart rate and blood pressure, is intended to subside once the threat of danger passes and the body's relaxation response kicks in. Under conditions of chronic stress, cortisol levels are heightened over prolonged periods of time, the relaxation response is hindered, and health issues can result. Chronic stress has been linked to conditions such as depression, heart disease and other heart problems, insomnia, high blood pressure, and difficulty conceiving.

Establishing a life balance that minimizes stress is important to a woman's health and well-being. The demands of juggling a family and a career often lead women to neglect their own needs. Relaxing, even briefly, is important to sustaining a healthy balance. Numerous techniques can be employed to help a woman effectively reduce the level of stress she is experiencing, some of which include:

-Getting aerobic exercise. Exercise releases natural pain and stress relievers called endorphins, and also serves as release for tension. Jogging, doing Yoga, swimming, or other activities that get your body moving are healthy ways to control stress.

-Sharing feelings. Even when there is nothing you can do to control a stressor, sharing your feelings with a friend, loved one or therapist can be a great outlet for reducing stress. Another option is writing about your situation and feelings in a journal. Putting into words the way you feel and why can help you gain a new perspective on a situation. Try to focus on the positive side of a situation and what you will learn from it.

-Saying no. Sometimes stress is the result of too many commitments. Women should take into account the level of stress they feel with their current level of obligations before taking on any new ones. A balanced lifestyle in which a woman can fulfill all of her responsibilities with some time left for relaxation is ideal.

Just as the symptoms of stress can take many forms, the methods that work best for relieving stress vary among women. Some control stress through means such as exercise, while others seek medical help to deal with high levels of stress. Finding the right treatment for your personal needs involves paying attention to your body's needs and recognizing the symptoms of stress.

About the Author: Dr. Matthew Romberg, a Round Rock OBGYN specializing in obstetrical and gynecologic care, is the President of the Heart of Texas Women's Center. The Heart of Texas Women's Center provides state of the art health care including surgical procedures, family planning counseling, complete prenatal care including high risk pregnancy management, in-house ultrasonography and well-woman services. For more information, please visit http://www.hotwc.com

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