If you’re a woman, chances are that you’ve worried about the status of your health at some point in your life. In fact, women often experience diverse and unique health concerns across the lifespan, which may affect their overall health and wellness. As a result, women are generally required to do routine annual health checks to ensure that everything is functioning effectively. But, what exactly constitutes women’s health? And, more so, why is women’s health important?
What is Women’s Heath?
When we talk about ‘Women’s Health”, we are referring to a branch of medicine that focuses specifically on the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and conditions affecting the physical and emotional well-being of women. Women’s health is inclusive of a variety of gender-specific issues, including estrogen production and hormonal balance, gynecology, sexual and reproductive health, menstrual health, fertility concerns, bone health, emotional and mental well-being, as well as other conditions.
One of the principal areas of focus in women’s health is the reproductive cycle since it greatly affects many stages of a woman’s life. Throughout the reproductive cycle, hormonal balance, particularly as it relates to estrogen levels, directly affects many of the physical changes that women experience during adolescence, adulthood and in their older age. Consequently, these changes are found to be associated with different health concerns in both women and girls. In light of the recent increase in the number of African and Afro-Caribbean women affected by reproductive health conditions, She.is.Lotus aims to discuss the important topic of menstrual disorders over the upcoming weeks, in the current limited series entitled “Let’s Talk Women’s Health”. The series will highlight the most common menstrual disorders affecting women and girls, including Uterine Fibroids, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Importance of Discussing Women’s Health
The health of women and girls is of particular concern because of the vulnerability of this group. Additionally, in many societies, women and girls are repeatedly disadvantaged by discrimination which is rooted in various sociocultural factors (WHO, 2022). Therefore, discussions surrounding women’s health, especially those regarding menstrual disorders are important, because they help to build awareness about these conditions, empower women to make their own health a priority, and promote understanding of preventative and interventive steps that can be taken to improve their health. In short, advocacy surrounding women’s health is vital as women represent the cornerstone of the family’s overall health, and since women play an active and significant role in the development of the community. It is also necessary to ensure that women are equipped with sufficient knowledge, so that they can make informed decisions about their health, in addition to seeking and receiving quality health care.
More about She.is.Lotus
She is Lotus is a non-profit organization, operated and run by Ms. Odelia Thomas and Ms. Kimmette Robertson. Its mission is to raise awareness of menstrual disorders and to advocate for women living with these disorders to encourage early diagnosis, support and treatment. You can find us on Instagram at @She.Is.Lotus and on Facebook at SheIsLotus.
Written by Ms. Kimmette Robertson