Nine symptoms women should not ignore

Protect your health with early action

Women’s lives are fuller than ever, and it can be easy to ignore a symptom that isn’t causing us much trouble. Inaction not only doesn’t help you feel better but could put your health or life at risk.

No matter how busy you are, it’s important to take the time to think about your health, your body and how you’re feeling. Some symptoms might not seem as serious as they could be. A few examples:

• Shortness of breath — or any other sign of a heart attack. You know the classic symptom of a heart attack — pain or pressure in the chest. But women frequently do not experience that symptom. They may be suddenly short of breath. Other symptoms can include pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Leg pain and swelling. Any pain and swelling in your leg could be a sign of a blood clot, also called deep vein thrombosis. Women are at higher risk. If a blood clot breaks loose and travels to the heart or lungs, it could cause a heart attack or pulmonary embolism (a blockage in a pulmonary artery in the lungs).
• Vaginal bleeding when you’re not on your period. If you’re bleeding between periods or after menopause, see your doctor. Abnormal vaginal bleeding can be a sign of gynecologic cancer or other conditions.
• Leaking nipples. Nipple discharge can be a sign of breast cancer — especially if it’s clear or bloody.
• Pain during sex. If sex becomes painful, you could have endometriosis or some other condition that needs treatment.
• Unusually painful or heavy periods. If your period becomes heavy and harder to deal with, it could be a sign of endometriosis or some other condition.
• Abdominal swelling or pain. Bloating, cramps or a feeling of heaviness can be a sign of many health conditions, from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to ovarian cancer. Don’t panic — but do see your doctor.
• Constantly feeling tired. You may think your life is just tiring. But constant or near-constant fatigue can be a sign of many health problems, including anemia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Don’t just live with it. Talk to your doctor.
• Feeling sad, anxious or empty. No one is full of cheer all the time — but if you feel down, super stressed or just plain blah for more than a week or two, you may need treatment for depression or anxiety. Take action before it gets worse — there are many treatment options.



You know your body better than anyone. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t just push it out of your mind. Trusting your intuition could save you a lot of suffering — or even your life.