Optional procedures are becoming available to women. Myomectomy, or removing only the tumors with repair of the uterus, uterine artery ablation, and the use of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone to shrink the tumors can decrease the need for hysterectomy, but women may not know about these alternatives. Community health nurses function as advocates for women and can provide health education programs related to alternatives to hysterectomy, indications for hysterectomy, and oophorectomy, and information regarding the type of surgical approach and the purpose of a second opinion. Second opinions and higher levels of education tend to decrease the rate of hysterectomies. Thus, it is important that the nurse first encourage the friend to seek a second opinion rather than encouraging the procedure or ovary removal.
After the age of 65 years, women are twice as likely to die because of heart disease as men. Women have higher rates of complications after revascularization procedures and higher rates of death after myocardial infarction. This phenomenon exists because women display different symptoms of heart disease and are managed differently than men. In 2002, the American Heart Association launched the "Go Red" campaign for women and "The Heart Truth" program for health care providers. Both programs are designed to educate about the unique features of women and heart disease. These campaigns address heart disease and do not include information about other chronic diseases such as cancer. Heart disease is caused by both lifestyle choices and genetic factors, thus education needs to be provided related to both of these aspects
About one in four Americans has one or more forms of CVD. One in ten women under age 60 years has some form of CVD; the ratio increases to one in three after age 65 years. CVD continues to be the number one overall killer of women. Accidents and unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in the adolescent and early adulthood years for women. Cancer is the number one cause among women age 35 to 74. Diabetes and its complications are considered to be the fifth leading cause of death among women age 55 to 74, and the sixth leading cause of death among women age 75 to 84.
In the adolescent to early adulthood years, the leading cause of death for women is unintentional injuries (i.e., motor vehicle accidents, drug overdose). Complications of childbirth, cancer, and cardiovascular disease are not among the most likely causes of death of a 22-year old female.
Beginning in the 1970s, the women's movement called for the reform of systems affecting women's health. The current emphasis began before the presidential races that involved Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin. The women's movement has caused there to be new research studies that focus on women. Additionally, political correctness addressing the rights of women has occurred because of the women's movement.
Chronic diseases, especially arthritis and rheumatism, hinder their ability.