The first national Women’s Health Week kicked off at the Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch (CHEM) hospital in Esch-sur-Alzette on Monday.
The aim is to educate and raise awareness about disease symptoms that can differ markedly between women and men. On Monday, advice stands at CHEM focused on cardiovascular disease, and Thursday will be a no-tobacco day.
CHEM director Dr René Metz pointed out that there are differences between women and men in how symptoms such as chest pain are interpreted, and that these can carry real consequences.
He explained that when a man feels chest pain, the immediate reflex is often to suspect a heart attack, whereas with women, that same instinct does not always kick in when they say something does not feel right. The classic tingling in the left arm, a relatively standard symptom in men, can present differently in women, sometimes less clearly asymmetrical and described in different terms. He points to interpreting for instance breast pain where there are pronounced differences between women and men, which can have stark consequences. While it is often easier to flag a heart attack in a man, he said, it can be harder in a woman, which is why awareness, education and tailored information on symptoms that more commonly affect women are needed.
Special activities and stands are planned at many hospitals across the country over the coming days, with the full programme available at santesecu.lu/femme.
Two conferences are also scheduled for Saturday at the National School of Health in Strassen, one on menopause and the other on endometriosis. The aim is to foster dialogue between specialists while also offering concrete help to anyone interested.