What is Uterine Health?

What is Uterine Health?
Maintaining or improving the health of your uterus is no different from maintaining or improving the health of your skin, muscles, heart or any other organ. You must educate yourself, become aware of any conditions in your family that may be inherited, understand what could go wrong and get regular checkups and health screenings to detect any problems early. Just as you would consult a health care professional if you felt lightheaded or had trouble breathing, you should consult a health care professional if your periods get heavier or irregular, or if you develop pelvic pain or another symptom that could signal a uterine disorder.

Your Family History
How much do you really know about the reproductive health of your mother, sisters, aunts and grandmothers? If the answer is "not much," then it's time to put on your detective hat.

The seeds for many health issues, both positive and negative, are stored in the DNA passed down from both sides of your family. For instance, gene analyses from families in which women suffer from fibroids have revealed a mutation that could predispose women to these abnormal uterine growths.¹

So if your mother suffered from painful periods, fibroids or a difficult menopause, your risk for these conditions is greater than that of a friend whose mother sailed through her reproductive milestones. We say "risk" because simply having the genetic tendency for uterine problems doesn't set your fate in stone. Maintaining a healthy diet and body weight, avoiding unprotected sex, using preventive medications and other measures may possibly help you overcome genetic tendencies.

It isn't always easy to be a family health detective. Asking your grandmother or other elderly female relatives about their reproductive health, a "taboo topic" for many women of that generation, may be uncomfortable.
And if you have no access to your biological family it's even more difficult to discover any family patterns for certain disorders.

So it's important to take this discovery process one step at a time. Here are some suggestions that may ease the way:

Make a list of all living female relatives on both sides of your family. Write down anything you know about their medical history. Childhood memories may be clues. (Aunt Mary spending several days each month in bed, for example.)

Ask relatives what they know about your mother's and grandmother's health history, if communication with these older women isn't possible.

Decide whom you can ask directly about such issues and who might be better approached by a carefully worded letter or e-mail.

Explain verbally or in writing that you need this information to learn what might lie ahead for you, healthwise.

Write down everything you learn, and share that information with your health care professional.

Check the laws in your state. In some states, doctors and hospitals will provide medical records of your deceased relatives if you make your request in writing.²

Uterine Health Family History Checklist
Start learning more about your uterine health family history by asking female relatives on both sides of your family the questions on this checklist: Click Here to Download