Women’s Health Week! Understanding the Most Common Reproductive Conditions

May 12

Written By Comma

A Guide to the Most Common Women's Health Conditions

In honor of Women's Health Week, we figured it’s only appropriate to break down the most common women’s health conditions, giving you clear, judgement-free information about your body. So many of the conditions that affect women are still wrapped in stigma, confusion, or silence. Too many people spend years not knowing why they're in pain, why something "feels off," or whether what they’re experiencing is even worth mentioning to a doctor. The answer is always: yes, it is worth mentioning. You deserve to understand what’s happening in your body.

Here are some of the most common conditions affecting women's reproductive health — what they are, what to look for, and important diagnostic information.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

What it is:

PCOS is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women of reproductive age. Between 8 and 13% of reproductive-age women worldwide have PCOS, yet roughly 70% of cases remain undiagnosed — often because symptoms vary so widely from person to person. At its core, PCOS involves a disruption in hormone balance: women with PCOS often have high levels of androgens (sometimes called "male hormones,” though this is a misnomer since everyone produces them). This imbalance can cause problems with the menstrual cycle and drive many of its symptoms.

What to look for:

PCOS can look different for everyone, but here are the most common signs to look out for:

Irregular periods (infrequent periods, very long cycles, or no periods at all)
Excess hair growth (especially on the face, chest, or back)
Hair thinning or hair loss
Acne or oily skin
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Fertility issues
Insulin resistance

Not everyone with PCOS will have all of these symptoms, and having some of these symptoms does not automatically mean you have PCOS. A healthcare provider will use a mix of symptoms, bloodwork, and imaging (like an ultrasound) to make a diagnosis. The key is finding a doctor who listens and takes your symptoms seriously — because over 33% of women wait over 2 years for a diagnosis, with 47% of women visiting three or more healthcare providers before getting a diagnosis. You deserve better than that, and advocating for yourself is always worth it.diagnosis. You deserve better than that, and advocating for yourself is always worth it.

💡 If you think you may be living with PCOS, start logging your symptoms in Sara. She’ll be able to catch any signs of disease, give you a personalized risk score, and provide you with all the data you need to bring to your doctors. We’re right here with you.

Endometriosis

What it is:

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterusgrows outside the uterus. These growths, often called lesions, are most commonly found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, bladder, and surrounding pelvic tissue and cause inflammation, irritation, and sometimes scar tissue.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and people who menstruate. And yet, it takes an average of 7 to 10 years to receive a diagnosis. This delay is not accidental, it’s often a direct result of: period pain being normalized or dismissed as “part of being a woman,” lack of awareness and education across healthcare, and systemic bias in how pain is treated and believed.

What to look for:

Endometriosis doesn’t present the same way for everyone, but common symptoms include:

Chronic pelvic pain (in pelvic area, lower abdomen, or lower back)
Painful periods
Heavy or irregular periods
Pain during or after sex
Painful bowel movements or urination
Chronic fatigue
Fertility challenges

The diagnostic pathway for endometriosis is uniquely challenging. A definitive diagnosis is confirmed through a laparoscopy, a surgical procedure where a surgeon makes incisions in the abdomen to examine and visually identify endometrial lesions. But, providers can also make a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms, medical history, and a pelvic exam, sometimes supported by imaging such as ultrasound or MRI.

“💡 If any of these symptoms resonate with you, present them to your doctor. Your pain is serious, and deserves to be treated as such. By logging in Sara, you’ll be able to keep a complete record of your pain and symptoms. PSA: We’re launching an Endometriosis tool soon where Sara can detect endometriosis symptoms, give you a personalized risk score, and connect you to care. Because we believe data is power.”

Uterine Fibroids

What it is:

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign gynecologic condition in women of reproductive age, with around 80% of women having fibroids by the age of 50. Fibroids are most commonly found in women aged 35 to 50, though they can develop at any age during the reproductive years. Fibroids are growths made up of muscle and tissue that form in and on your uterus. The symptoms and size of fibroids can range immensely; some may never show any symptoms at all, and they can range from the size of a seed to as big as a grapefruit.

While many fibroids cause no symptoms at all, others can significantly affect daily life. It's also worth naming directly: Black women are disproportionately affected, developing fibroids at three times the rate of white women and at younger ages—a disparity direly in need of more research.

What to look for:

More than half of patients experience symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, or infertility. Other symptoms can include a feeling of pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen, frequent urination, prolonged periods, pain during sex, and lower back pain. Some fibroids are discovered incidentally during a routine pelvic exam or ultrasound with no symptoms at all.

“💡 Fibroids are typically identified through a pelvic ultrasound, which your provider can order if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above. Many go undetected for years simply because symptoms get normalized — heavy bleeding, for instance, is often dismissed as “just how your periods are.” If something feels off, ask. You know your body the best. ”

Ovarian Cysts

What it is:

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on or inside the ovaries. They are extremely common — most women will develop at least one during their lifetime, and the majority form naturally as part of the menstrual cycle. These are called functional cysts, and they typically resolve on their own within a few months without any treatment. In other words: having an ovarian cyst does not automatically mean something is wrong.

What to look for:

Most ovarian cysts cause no symptoms at all and are discovered incidentally during a routine ultrasound or pelvic exam. When symptoms do occur, they can include a dull ache or feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen, bloating, and pelvic pressure. If a cyst ruptures or causes the ovary to twist (called ovarian torsion), symptoms can become sudden and severe — sharp pelvic pain, nausea, and vomiting — which requires immediate medical attention.

“💡 Cysts are usually identified via pelvic ultrasound. If your provider finds one, don’t panic — the most common approach is simply watchful waiting, with a follow-up ultrasound to confirm it has resolved. Larger cysts, cysts that don’t go away, or those causing significant symptoms may be monitored more closely or, in some cases, surgically removed. If you have a history of endometriosis or PCOS, cysts can be a related complication worth keeping an eye on with your care team.”

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

What it is:

UTIs are common bacterial infections in the urinary system and are among the most common infections women experience — more than half of adult women will have an uncomplicated UTI at some point in their lives, and between 20 and 30% of women will experience a recurrence within 3 to 4 months. Women are more susceptible than men largely due to anatomy: the shorter female urethra means bacteria have less distance to travel from the external opening to reach the bladder, and sexual activity can introduce bacteria into the urethra.

What to look for:

Classic symptoms include a burning sensation when you urinate, a frequent or urgent need to go (even when little comes out), cloudy or strong-smelling urine, and pelvic pressure or discomfort. If a UTI reaches the kidneys, symptoms can escalate to fever, chills, and back or side pain, which warrants prompt medical attention.

“💡 Diagnosis is usually quick: a urine test (urinalysis or culture) from your doctor or urgent care can confirm a UTI and identify the bacteria involved. Many providers also offer diagnosis and treatment via telehealth, which makes access much easier. Most uncomplicated UTIs are treated with a short course of antibiotics. If you have recurring UTIs, your doctor may discuss some longer-term management options with you.”

Vaginal Yeast Infections

What it is:

A vaginal yeast infection (also called vulvovaginal candidiasis) happens when a fungus called Candida — which normally lives in small amounts in the vagina — grows out of control. Up to 3 in 4 women will have a yeast infection at least once in their lives, and about half of all women will get two or more. They are not a sexually transmitted infection, though sexual activity can sometimes be a trigger. Antibiotic use, hormonal changes, pregnancy, and unmanaged diabetes are among the most common causes. Wearing tight clothing or staying in wet clothes for too long may also cause infections.

What to look for:

Symptoms often include itching, swelling, burning with urination, pain during penetrative sex, redness, and clumpy white-yellow discharge that can look like cottage cheese. It's worth noting that these symptoms can look similar to bacterial vaginosis or some STIs — which is why getting checked out, especially if it's your first time experiencing these symptoms, really matters.

“💡 It’s worth getting an accurate diagnosis before self-treating (especially if it’s your first time), since the symptoms overlap with other conditions that require different treatments. Your provider can do a simple swab of discharge during a pelvic exam to confirm. That said, once you’ve had a confirmed yeast infection and know what it feels like, over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments, or suppositories (topical medications put inside the vagina using an applicator) are the most common treatment, and work to destroy the fungus within 1 to 7 days.”

A Note Before You Go

If anything in this blog resonated with you — whether it's a symptom you've been quietly living with or a diagnosis you've recently received — we want you to know: you're not alone, and you don't have to figure it out by yourself.

Getting good care starts with having information. And having information starts with conversations like this one.

Reach out to your provider, ask questions, push back when you need to, and find a care team that makes you feel heard. In honor of Women’s Health Week, let’s all make that promise to ourselves.