Denton County Living Well Magazine September/October 2018 | Page 49

dence of MS is increasing in women while it’s staying
the same in men, widening the gender gap even more.
Experts believe that genetics are mainly to blame for the
disease.
Although MS can’t be prevented, and there is no cure,
it can be managed with medication, physical therapy
and alternative medicine, such as massage, yoga and
acupuncture.
Osteoporosis
About 80 percent of
the 10 million Amer-
icans who have oste-
oporosis are women,
according to the Na-
tional
Osteoporosis
Foundation, and 1 in
2 women older than
50 will break a bone because of the disease. Women are
more susceptible to osteoporosis, especially later in life,
because many have small, thin bones, and they produce
much less estrogen, a bone-strengthening hormone, after
menopause.
Women can prevent osteoporosis by getting plenty of cal-
cium in their diets—at least 1,000 milligrams per day for
women up to age 50 and 1,200 milligrams a day for wom-
en older than 50—in combination with 1,000 IU (interna-
tional units) of vitamin D; getting regular physical activity,
including weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercis-
es; limiting the number of alcoholic beverages they drink;
and not smoking.
Knee Injuries
In certain sports, women are up to 10 times more likely
than men to experience a
knee ligament injury, ac-
cording to the American
Academy of Orthopae-
dic Surgeons. Research-
ers think that may be
because women’s knees
tend to bend inward when landing after a jump. Estro-
gen might also play a role.
If you are active in athletics, you can reduce your risk
of knee injuries—including ACL (anterior cruciate liga-
ment) tears—with training. Work with a qualified coach
or physical therapist to learn proper techniques for
jumping and pivoting, and always wear the appropri-
ate protective equipment for the sport you’re playing.
Pelvic Floor Disorders
Incontinence, frequent uri-
nary tract infections, pel-
vic organ prolapse, pelvic
pain and other pelvic floor
disorders affect more than
a third of American wom-
en, according to the National Institutes of Health. Risk fac-
tors include age, childbirth, excess weight, chronic cough-
ing and prior pelvic surgery.
Women have a tendency to dismiss these issues as things
that are supposed to happen. But help is available.
“Natural and normal don’t necessarily mean good,” Dr.
Steininger says. “Just because these conditions are com-
mon doesn’t mean you have to live with them.”
Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about symptoms that
are bothering you.
For a physician referral or to learn more about Women’s Services at a Baylor Scott & White
Health location near you, call 1.844.BSW.DOCS or visit BSWHealth.com/Women. 
Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not
provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2018 Baylor Scott & White Health BSWH_1538_2018
DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
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