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The female sex in stroke - adolescence, reproductive age (pregnancy - childbed) and menopause (Master thesis)

Μπαλογιάννη, Ευτυχία/ Balogianni, Eftychia

The purpose of the present review study is to record any condition related to the female gender that affects the characteristics of Stroke, or is affected by it. The above elements concern both medical and social and economic factors. Female gender may affect the risk of stroke, the neurological status and the course of the disease. Pregnancy and childbirth, hormone therapy as a method of contraception or replacement therapy, and menopause are periods in a woman's life where the risk of stroke appears to be increased. Stroke Registers reveal low access of women to reperfusion treatments. In women, the clinical manifestation of stroke is often atypical, consequently the patient or her environment are not alerted in time to consult a neurologist as soon as possible. At the same time, it is not uncommon for one's clinical signs to distract the attention of physicians during the clinical examination, while sometimes patients end up in another medical specialty to be treated. Parallel, in the design of researching plan related to Stroke, women are underrepresented, either as part of the sample in the study population or as participants in the scientific boards. It is recently that female neurologists have been promoted to positions of responsibility in domestic and international boards for issues related to Stroke. In conclusion, remarkable differences are found between men and women in the diagnosis and treatment of a stroke. Differences in risk factors, clinical status, treatment and follow-up are observed. Including this information in the clinical assessment of a patient and in the design of the national health network can help to provide better health services and develop more effective prevention and rehabilitation programs for women who suffer from stroke.