.png)
If you've ever heard your mom, aunt, or grandmother say something like, "We didn’t have all these problems back in my day" or "I never had to chart anything to get pregnant", you’re not alone. They’re not wrong—at least not entirely. Over the past 30 to 40 years, there’s been a noticeable rise in gynecological issues like PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, and even infertility. These problems, which were once considered rare or not openly discussed, have become common topics in women’s health today. So, what’s changed? And how can we navigate this new normal?
Gynecological Issues: Then vs. Now
Let’s start with a quick trip down memory lane. Thirty or forty years ago, conditions like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and endometriosis were either underdiagnosed or not well understood. Women often suffered in silence with irregular periods, painful cramps, or unexplained infertility. Fast-forward to today, and it feels like every other woman is battling these challenges.
The Stats Speak Volumes:
PCOS affects about 1 in 10 women of reproductive age today. This is a stark increase from past decades, though historical data is sparse due to underdiagnosis.
Endometriosis impacts an estimated 1 in 10 women, and studies suggest its prevalence may have doubled in recent years as awareness grows.
Uterine fibroids are now diagnosed in about 70-80% of women by age 50, compared to lower rates in prior generations.
Infertility is another alarming trend. While infertility affected around 8% of couples in the 1980s, today, that number hovers closer to 15%, according to recent studies.
Why Are These Issues on the Rise?
The reasons behind this surge are multifaceted. Here are a few possible culprits:
Environmental Factors: Increased exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (like BPA and phthalates) in our food, products, and environment may be wreaking havoc on our hormones.
Diet and Lifestyle: Higher consumption of processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, and chronic stress can contribute to hormonal imbalances and inflammation, which are often at the root of these conditions.
Delayed Childbearing: More women are waiting until their 30s or 40s to have children, which can naturally make conception more challenging.
Better Awareness: The rise in diagnoses is also partly due to better education, medical advancements, and women advocating for their health.
What Would Mom Say?
It’s easy to look back on our mothers’ and grandmothers’ experiences and think they had it easier. “Back in my day, we just had babies without all this fuss,” they might say. But times were different then—fewer toxins, simpler food, and often, less awareness about underlying issues. While their advice might sometimes feel dismissive, it’s also a reminder that we have new tools and knowledge they didn’t have.
Enter the Creighton Model Fertility Care System
One of these modern tools is the Creighton Model Fertility Care System—a natural, holistic approach to understanding and managing women’s reproductive health. Think of it as your body’s personalized health journal. By tracking biomarkers, this system doesn’t just help with achieving or avoiding pregnancy; it can also uncover underlying health issues.
Here’s why the Creighton Model is a game-changer:
Early Detection: Irregular patterns can signal problems like PCOS or endometriosis, helping women get the right treatment sooner.
Customized Care: With the help of NaProTECHNOLOGY, the Creighton Model provides targeted medical solutions instead of masking symptoms with birth control pills.
Empowerment: Charting helps women take control of their health, giving them a better understanding of their cycles and fertility.
Where Do We Go From Here?
While it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the rise in gynecological issues, it’s also empowering to know that we have tools like the Creighton Model to guide us. We may live in a more complex world than our moms did, but with modern science, education, and community, we’re better equipped to tackle these challenges head-on.
So the next time your mom says, "I never had to do any of that!", just smile and say, "You didn’t have to—but I get to!"
Let’s embrace this journey of understanding our bodies, addressing our health, and ensuring that future generations have even better tools at their disposal.
Comments