Women's health quiz: What makes you unique

Peak bone mass — the maximum bone density and strength a person can attain — is lower for women than it is for men. This, in addition to the rapid bone loss that occurs with loss of estrogen at menopause, contributes to a greater risk of osteoporosis among women than among men. That's why 80 percent of people with osteoporosis are women.

By consuming foods rich in calcium and vitamin D and maintaining an active lifestyle, you'll be less likely to experience the effects of osteoporosis.

Despite many women's fear of breast cancer, heart disease is actually the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. In 2002, heart disease claimed the lives of 358,014 women, compared with 340,933 men. Each year about 88,000 women ages 45 to 64 have a heart attack, and about 372,000 women age 65 and older have one. Women are more likely than men to die within a few weeks of a heart attack. Leading a healthy lifestyle can lower your risk of heart disease, whether you're male or female.

Uterine fibroids are the most common type of noncancerous tumor in women of reproductive age. Up to three-quarters of women have uterine fibroids, but most don't realize it because they generally have no symptoms. Those who do have symptoms may experience heavy vaginal bleeding and spotting, frequent urination and pain during sex. Treatment includes medication, surgical removal of the fibroids and hysterectomy. There is no connection between uterine fibroids and an increased risk of uterine cancer.

Women who drink achieve a higher concentration of alcohol in their blood than do men. This is partly because women have a greater proportion of fat and a lower proportion of water content in their bodies than men do. Women also have a smaller amount of an enzyme in the stomach that's needed to process alcohol, leading to a quicker buildup of alcohol in the bloodstream. Because of these and other factors, women are more likely than men to develop liver damage from drinking alcohol.

To avoid alcohol-induced injury to your body, drink modestly. A moderate amount of alcohol means no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men.

The energy your body derives from the foods you eat is measured in calories. Energy needs vary considerably according to your activity level, body size, sex and age.

For instance, an older, sedentary woman may need only 1,600 calories a day, but a 25-year-old woman of the same size who is very physically active may need 1,800 to 2,200 calories a day.

On average, daily calorie goals are as follows:

• 1,600 — children ages 2 to 6, most women and some older adults
• 2,000 — average adult
• 2,200 — older children, teenage girls, active women and most men
• 2,800 — teenage boys and active men

Women are more likely than men to experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you have IBS, you may feel gassy, bloated, crampy or constipated. You might also experience abdominal pain, loose stools or a feeling of an incomplete bowel movement.

Although it's not known what causes IBS, doctors note that people with IBS have more sensitive colons than do people without IBS. Common triggers for IBS include certain foods, medications and stress.

Postpartum depression can affect a woman after any birth, regardless of whether it's her first child or not. A woman with postpartum depression experiences sadness, despair, anxiety and irritability and may be unable to perform daily activities.

In its mildest form, postpartum depression is known as the "baby blues." A common condition, the baby blues affects about 70 percent to 85 percent of new mothers. Feelings of sadness and anxiety are generally short-lived, lasting anywhere from a few days after the birth to a couple of weeks. Most cases resolve on their own.

In its most severe form, postpartum depression can manifest itself as postpartum psychosis. This condition is rare — occurring after one or two of every 1,000 births — but it can be very dangerous. The delusions, paranoia and mood swings associated with postpartum psychosis can cause a woman to harm herself or others, including her new baby. This condition requires immediate medical attention.

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. Early detection of breast cancer is key to survival. Annual mammograms — beginning at age 40 — clinical breast exams and an overall awareness of your breast health are your best defenses in preventing or detecting breast cancer in its earliest, most curable stage.

Treatment is available for PMS — a common occurrence among women of reproductive age. Signs and symptoms of PMS include:

• Breast tenderness
• Abdominal bloating
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Teariness
• Depression
• Anxiety

Treatments for PMS range from lifestyle changes, such as aerobic exercise and reductions in caffeine, salt and alcohol, to over-the-counter drugs and supplements, birth control pills and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors — a type of antidepressant. See your doctor. Help is available.

Baldness isn't just a guy thing. Women can experience hair loss, too. Gradual thinning of your hair is a normal part of aging. However, excessive hair loss from your scalp can be the result of heredity, poor nutrition, certain medications or underlying medical conditions such as thyroid dysfunction.

The most common type of hair loss, androgenetic alopecia, can be treated with minoxidil (Rogaine), a liquid that you rub into your scalp twice daily to regrow hair and prevent further loss. Hair transplants and scalp surgery are available to treat certain other forms of hair loss. Seek medical or dermatologic evaluation to determine the cause of your hair loss and learn about the most effective treatment options.