Hungarian Health Care: Women’s Health

Abstract

From the general background on the provision of health care in Hungary it is possible to consider the many health needs and problems which can and do arise for women. In this connexion close attention is paid to the interrelated areas of psychological and physical health needs. Many of the health needs and illnesses which women experience are related to their ability to give birth. There are branches of illnesses associated with menstruation and ovulation, with contraception (generally women are expected to deal with this), and with conception, pregnancy and childbirth. Some of the psychological disorders suffered by women have to do with the problems they face as child-carers in terms of isolation and the responsibility of being with children constantly. Evaluating the relevant weight of ideological and socio-economic factors in the way that women’s health concerns are regarded and treated is important here. Two areas of women’s lives which are generally controlled by men are those of their sexuality and their reproductive capacity. Some professional men, such as qualified medical practitioners and specialists, exercise more control over women’s bodies than women themselves. In this area there is obviously room for manipulation, by the professionals and in terms of institutionalisation of certain practices and areas of judgement. Women’s stress-related diseases, in terms of concrete problems they are facing, are considered and the various treatments of such illnesses are assessed to view the likelihood of any positive changes occurring in this area of health care.