{"id":1598,"date":"2022-05-10T13:15:06","date_gmt":"2022-05-10T13:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/exs.suba-agency.com\/?p=1598"},"modified":"2026-06-26T14:33:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T14:33:16","slug":"health-insurance-from-a-womens-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/exs.pt\/en\/blog\/health-insurance-from-a-womens-perspective\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Insurance from a Women's Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We all recognize the importance of health insurance in protecting Portuguese citizens in the event of an accident or illness, but it\u2019s less common to think about this type of insurance from each person\u2019s specific perspective.<\/p>\n

In this series of articles, we\u2019ll explore the specific types of coverage\u2014or those best suited\u2014for women and men. This will help you determine whether your health insurance meets the specific needs of every member of your family. In this article, we\u2019ll discuss women\u2019s health, but be sure to read our article on health insurance from a men\u2019s perspective as well.<\/p>\n

As we will see later, there are certain diseases and genetic predispositions that are more prevalent among women and require specific health care, such as breast cancer and cervical cancer.<\/p>\n

There are also specific types of coverage that may be of interest to women, such as childbirth coverage and other types of coverage related to pregnancy.<\/p>\n

From a financial standpoint, the\u00a0coverage in the event of an accident or illness<\/a>\u00a0From a woman's perspective, it turns out to be more important when, in Portugal, one realizes that\u00a0They earn 13.2% less than men<\/a>\u00a0and experience greater exhaustion, since in addition to their paid work hours, they still devote, on average, 302 minutes a day to housework.<\/p>\n

When you put all these factors together, it\u2019s easy to see just how crucial it is for Portuguese women to find a\u00a0health insurance<\/a>\u00a0that takes into account their actual needs, especially with regard to their reproductive and mental health, during pregnancy and menopause.<\/p>\n

Common Diseases in Women<\/h3>\n

As we have already mentioned, genetic and environmental factors, along with the interplay of female hormones, make women more vulnerable to certain diseases than men.<\/p>\n

According to the\u00a0specialists at Lus\u00edadas Hospital in Lisbon<\/a>, there are diseases that are more common in women than in men. The top five are:<\/p>\n

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  1. Multiple Sclerosis: It is characterized by inflammation of the central nervous system, which, among other things, causes muscle wasting, fatigue, and urinary problems. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that typically develops between the ages of 20 and 40.<\/li>\n
  2. Breast cancer: accounts for more than 25% of all cancers diagnosed in women and is the second leading cause of death in developed countries.<\/li>\n
  3. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: It typically develops between the ages of 20 and 45 and is characterized as a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes weight loss, generalized fatigue, asthenia, skin lesions, and liver problems.<\/li>\n
  4. Urinary Tract Infection: Caused by the smaller size of the female urethra compared to the male urethra, these infections particularly affect sexually active women, pregnant women, and women going through menopause.<\/li>\n
  5. Fibromyalgia: Seven times more common in women, fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain that affects the trunk and limbs and can last for more than three months.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In addition to these five, STDs, celiac disease, RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury), and, above all, depression are other conditions that affect a higher percentage of women.<\/p>\n

    Depression is a prime example of the need for health care tailored to women. Twice as prevalent in women, depression is a multifactorial disorder whose causes are linked to hormonal imbalances that are most pronounced during adolescence, the postpartum period, and menopause.<\/p>\n

    The Importance of Regular Checkups<\/h3>\n

    More than just curing a disease or alleviating its symptoms, prevention is crucial for women.<\/p>\n

    Through preventive medicine, it is possible to detect, for example, breast or uterine cancers in the early stages of their development, which will increase the success rate of their treatment.<\/p>\n

    In addition, check-ups allow you to monitor your reproductive health\u2014which is particularly important for women of childbearing age\u2014as well as chronic conditions such as osteoporosis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis.<\/p>\n

    Tests such as the well-known Pap smear, bone densitometry, and mammograms are extremely important, but in many cases they also require a financial investment that not all women can afford.<\/p>\n

    To avoid waiting in line and choose the best service wherever you want, it's best to have a\u00a0preventive health insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Portugal?<\/h3>\n

    Depending on the policy you choose, your health insurance will provide coverage for hospitalization costs, specialist visits, childbirth, dental care, prosthetics, and, in some cases, even prescription drugs.<\/p>\n

    However, to ensure you have insurance that is appropriate for your age and medical history, it is important to take the following factors into account:<\/p>\n