There’s a lot of information out there about women’s health. Some of it is spot on, but some of it… not so much. With all the advice floating around on the internet, in magazines, and even from well-meaning friends, it can be tough to separate fact from fiction.
It’s time to set the record straight. In this article, we are going to tackle 13 common myths about women’s health, breaking down where these ideas came from, why they’re not true, and what you really need to know to stay healthy.
Myth 1: Heart Disease Doesn’t Affect Women
You have probably heard that heart disease is a man’s problem. Well, it’s time to put that myth to bed once and for all. Almost 1 out of every 3 women in Singapore die of heart disease. According to the national survey, 90% of them are unaware of this risk.
For years, heart disease has been portrayed as something that mainly affects men. When you picture someone having a heart attack, you probably imagine a middle-aged man clutching his chest. But the reality is different.
Women can and do get heart disease. Often, their symptoms look different from men’s. Women might feel short of breath, nauseous, or exhausted. These symptoms can be easy to brush off as stress or just ‘feeling under the weather,’ which is why it’s important that all women must be aware of this risk.
Myth 2: Underwire Bras Cause Breast Cancer
This is another myth that just won’t go away. The idea that wearing an underwire bra can cause breast cancer. You might have worried that this is true, but you can breathe easily now. This myth remains a myth.
The truth and the origin
Only one scientific study has actually looked at the link between wearing a bra and breast cancer. They found no real difference in risk between women who wore bras and those who didn’t.
So your question now may be, “If there is no link, where did this idea come from?” Well, it’s a classic case of correlation being mistaken for causation.
- Women who are overweight are more likely to have larger breasts and wear a bra.
- Being overweight does increase breast cancer risk.
- Women who don’t wear bras are more likely to be at a healthy weight.
See how that could get mixed up? It’s the weight that’s the risk factor for this women’s health issue (cancer), not the bra itself. So go ahead, wear that underwire bra if it makes you feel comfortable and supported. Your breast health depends on much more important factors than your choice of undergarments.
Myth 3: Only Women with a Family History Get Breast Cancer
A myth that might hit close to home for many of us is “I don’t have a family history of breast cancer, so I am not at risk.” You may share the same thought with many women. However, this is not right.
In Singapore, the lifetime risk of a woman developing breast cancer is about 5%. That’s 1 in 20 women. Now, that might not sound like a lot, but it is significant enough that we all need to pay attention.
Having a family history of breast cancer does increase your risk. In fact, women with a family history have about twice the risk compared to those without. The kicker is that women who develop breast cancer don’t have a family history of the disease.
If we do the math, even if all the women with a family history develop breast cancer (which they don’t), that would still leave a majority of breast cancer cases occurring in women without a family history.
So, who’s at risk? The short answer is – all women. Some factors like family history, age, and genetic mutations increase your risk, yes, that’s true. But the absence of these doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.
The ultimate takeaway here is, “Having no family history of breast cancer doesn’t mean you can ignore your breast health.”
Myth 4: Morning Sickness Only Happens in the Morning
Morning sickness is a women’s health problem that is not just a morning thing! First things first, the term itself is misleading. It’s like calling a raincoat a “morning coat” just because it sometimes rains in the morning.
Morning sickness affects about 3 out of 4 pregnant women. If you’re pregnant, you may experience this. And that nauseous feeling can pop up at 7 AM, 2 PM, or even at midnight. Your body doesn’t check the clock before deciding it’s time for a wave of nausea.
For most women, morning sickness is mild and doesn’t require medical treatment. It’s usually just an uncomfortable but normal part of early pregnancy.
When it is more serious
It is not always smooth sailing. Some women experience a severe form of nausea and vomiting called hyperemesis gravidarum. This is not your usual morning sickness, and it requires medical attention.
If you cannot keep any food or fluids down, it’s time to call your doctor.
Myth 5: Women Can’t Get Pregnant During Their Period
Many people believe that menstruation is a “safe” time when it comes to unprotected sex. The thinking goes: if your body is shedding its uterine lining, how could it possibly be fertile?
The odds of getting pregnant during your period are lower, but they’re not zero! The following are explanations for why this is possible.
a. Sperms can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days. So if you have sex towards the end of your period and ovulate early, there could be sperm waiting around to meet that egg.
b. Not everyone has a textbook 28-day cycle with ovulation on day 14. If you have shorter cycles, you might ovulate earlier, potentially while you’re still on your period or shortly after.
c. Some women experience light bleeding or spotting during ovulation. If you mistake this for a period, you might unknowingly have sex during your most fertile time.
For the final thought, “lower” does not mean “impossible”. So if you are actively trying to avoid getting pregnant, it’s best not to rely on your period as a natural form of birth control.
Myth 6: Only Girls Need HPV Vaccines
HPV is a women’s health issue that also concerns males. This myth is one of those half-truths that can lead to a lot of confusion.
Despite its fancy name, it’s actually a very common virus that can infect many parts of the body in both males and females. So contrary to popular belief, boys and men can benefit from them too.
HP2 vaccine is for women only, ageing 9 to 25. HPV9 vaccine is for males and females aged 9 to 45, or as advised by the doctor. The vaccine is most effective when it’s given before a person becomes sexually active.
So, the next time that someone says HP vaccines are just for girls, you’ll know better. And more importantly, you’ll be equipped to make informed decisions about your health and the health of your loved ones.
Myth 7: Cranberry Juice Cures Urinary Tract Infections
Many people believe that downing a glass of cranberry juice will cure a UTI faster than you can say “bathroom break.” But is this tart little berry really the natural UTI treatment most people say it is?
The truth is, cranberry does not cure UTIs. But it is not entirely useless either. Cranberries contain compounds called proanthocyanidins (PACs). They help prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of your urinary tract. It is more of a prevention than cure.
Cranberry juice may help prevent UTIs, especially in people who get them frequently. But once a UTI has taken hold, it cannot treat this health problem. You would need antibiotics for that, as prescribed by a doctor.
Myth 8: Women Without Symptoms Don’t Have STIs
This belief about this women’s health problem is not just wrong. It is potentially dangerous. Many sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms at all. This means you can have an STI without having a clue about it.
You may unknowingly pass it on to your partner(s) during sex. Some STIs that often fly under the radar include:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
- HIV (in its early stages)
The only way to know is to get tested. Regular STI testing is the only surefire way to know your status.
Myth 9: Nursing Mothers Can’t Get Pregnant
The next is a myth that’s probably caused a few surprise siblings over the years. Many would believe that if a woman is breastfeeding, her body is in full “mom mode” and won’t allow another pregnancy. Well, not exactly.
Nursing mothers can indeed get pregnant. The science behind it? Breastfeeding can delay the return of menstruation and ovulation. This is known as lactational amenorrhoea. This delay is your body’s way of spacing out pregnancies naturally. BUT, it’s not a foolproof method of birth control.
Lactational Amenorrhoea Method (LAM) is the fancy term for using breastfeeding as birth control. But it is only effective under very specific conditions.
a. Your baby is under six months old
b. You’re exclusively breastfeeding (no formula, no solid foods)
c. Your periods haven’t returned
Even then, it is not 100% effective. This is a common women’s health problem for parents who are considering LAM as their primary birth control method. As your baby gets older and nurses less frequently, especially at night, your fertility is likely to return. This is also the case if your baby starts on solid foods or if you start supplementing with formula.
Myth 10: Women Who Just Gave Birth Should Rest for One Month
Strict rest for one full month after giving birth is not supported by any medical evidence. Having complete bed rest for an extended period is generally not recommended. Medical experts suggest new mothers to walk or move around once they are comfortable.
Here are some reasons why even light activity is important:
- Light activity such as short walks reduces the risk of blood clots or what we call deep vein thrombosis.
- Extending your rest for a whole month may cause muscle weakness and postpartum depression.
- Gentle movement and fresh air benefit you as it helps fight against postpartum blues.
But you should remember that every woman’s body is different. One’s postpartum experience is unique from another one. So if you feel your body isn’t ready yet, listen to it and give yourself more time to rest.
Myth 11: Eating Certain Foods Can Determine the Gender of Your Baby
This is another common misconception that has no scientific basis. Everyone should know that the biological sex of a baby is determined at the moment of conception by the chromosomes in the sperm that fertilises the egg. If the sperm carries an X chromosome, the baby will be genetically female (XX). If it carries a Y chromosome, the baby will be genetically male (XY).
Meaning, the sex is set at conception, long before the mother’s eating habits during pregnancy could have any influence. This myth likely stems from various cultural beliefs and old wives’ tales. But until this link will be replicated in larger and more rigorous studies and concludes otherwise, it’s not right to say that foods affect a baby’s sex.
Myth 12: Hormone Replacement Therapy is Always Dangerous for Menopausal Women
The idea that HRT is always dangerous largely stems from the initial results of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study in 2002 which suggested increased risks of breast cancer and heart disease. However, subsequent analysis and research have provided a more balanced view.
Benefits
- Relieves menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness
- Can help prevent osteoporosis
- May reduce the risk of colorectal cancer
- Can improve the quality of life for many women
And the risks are not universal. They vary depending on the woman’s age, time since menopause onset, types of hormones used, dosage, method of delivery, duration of use and individual health factors.
This blanket statement is now a myth. For many women, especially those with severe menopausal symptoms, the benefits of HRT may outweigh the risks when it’s used appropriately under medical supervision.
Myth 13: Annual Pap Smears are Necessary for All Women
This is an outdated belief that no longer aligns with current medical guidelines. Major health organisations no longer recommend annual Pap smears for most women.
Medical experts recommend that those who are sexually active need this test. The age-based recommendation in Singapore starts from the age of 25 onwards (every three years until the age of 65), only if there are no abnormalities.
If there are irregularities monitored by your doctor, they may recommend that you have a Pap smear test more frequently. For ladies ageing 30 and above, it’s recommended that you also get an HPV test done (if done alongside Pap smear, get tested every five years).
Conclusion
These are but some of the many misconceptions floating around the web. It was necessary that we talked about this and get things right so you can always make informed decisions about women’s welfare in general.
You are the first person who can tell whether something is not right in your body. Don’t hesitate to seek the help of medical professionals like a women’s health clinic in Singapore. Women like you are the reason for their existence and operations, like the establishment of WS Law Women’s Clinic. Let us help you navigate women’s health.
References
https://www.gleneagles.com.sg/
https://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/