Radiation is a type of energy that "radiates out" from an electromagnetic source. It can be ionizing, as in x-rays, or non ionizing, as in the radiation emitted from household appliances like microwaves. Despite the technological benefits of its use in medical treatment, radiation still poses a risk to continuing health if administered in high doses. Whether these doses are accidental, incidental or the result of nuclear warfare, the health effects can be life changing. For women, there are particular health risks to take into account.
Radiation Exposure
Radiation exposure usually occurs during medical treatment, most often during x-rays or treatment for cancer. Everyday objects such as microwaves and cell phones also emit small levels of radiation, but these levels are so low that you should not expect any adverse affects. Although much less likely to occur, the after effects of radiation as a result of nuclear warfare are the most severe.
Radiation's Effect on the Body
Exposure to radiation alters or breaks down the chemical bonds that exist between all the atoms in a woman's body. During x-rays and radiotherapy, beams of radiation are concentrated on a particular part of the body to either kill or alter cells. If the radiation is sufficient to kill the cells it targets, the possible after effects are burns, radiation sickness and problems with eyesight. If, however, the radiation alters or mutates the cell's DNA structure, the effects are called stochastic, which means the radiation may cause damage to a woman's ovaries and eggs, potentially threatening her fertility.
Radiation Dangers
Massive doses of radiation occur during nuclear explosions. Several studies of the survivors of the 1945 nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have shown that occurrences of leukemia and breast cancer were more prevalent the closer the survivors were to the hypo-center of the bombs. The amount of radiation exposure dictates the likelihood of developing these cancers. However, the doses are much, much smaller in medical treatment, so the chance of developing cancer in that case is extremely slim. All radiation exposure carries a small risk of stochastic effects, though they may not develop for a long time after exposure. If exposure is below 20 rads (or 0.2 grays), the detection of direct effects on health by radiation is difficult. At around 200 rads (2 grays), detrimental effects can be clearly distinguished and at 300 rads (3 grays), these effects can become life threatening.
Radiation and Pregnancy
If a woman is exposed to radiation during pregnancy, whether due to x-ray or other radioactive treatment such as fluoroscopy, it is possible that her unborn child will also be exposed. However, the dose that reaches an unborn child during these kinds of treatments is so low (around 5 rad or 0.05 grays) that any damage is unlikely. Exposure would have to be at a minimum of 20 rads (0.2 grays) to have any adverse effect.
In cases of massive radiation exposure (such as during nuclear attacks), unborn children are at high risk of death if the pregnancy is only a few weeks along, or of birth defects, brain damage and cancer in later life if the pregnancy is more developed.
Radiation and Sexual Health
Women undergoing radiation therapies for certain cancers, such as breast, cervical, ovarian and uterine, are more likely to suffer an effect on their sex drives due to the nature of their cancer and treatment. Direct radiation exposure to the pelvis can cause damage to the female reproductive system, which may cause menopausal symptoms, pain and disinterest in sex. However, the psychological effects related to the suffering of these types of cancer can equally cause these symptoms. The dangers posed by radiation are primarily dictated by the degree of exposure. Although effects differ between men and women, their severity will be similar at similar rates of exposure.
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