What is women’s health?
Women’s health covers a broad range of physical and mental health concerns specific to the female body at different life stages. These issues can affect your wellbeing and quality of life. It is important for women to prioritise their health and seek appropriate care when needed. Key areas include reproductive health, which involves the menstrual cycle, fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.
Menstrual Health
This includes understanding and managing complications such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), heavy periods (menorrhagia), and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. These issues can significantly impact your quality of life and require proper medical attention.
Infertility
Infertility can be a distressing issue for many women. The causes can range from hormonal imbalances and stress to physiological problems. Treatments may include medication, surgery, or assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
Pregnancy and Childbirth
This stage focuses on the health of both the mother and the baby. It includes prenatal care, managing pregnancy-related conditions such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, and preparing for childbirth. Postnatal care is also critical, addressing your physical recovery and any mental health issues such as postnatal depression and anxiety.
Menopause
Typically occurring in a woman’s late 40s or early 50s, menopause marks the end of menstrual cycles. You might experience symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, and mood changes. These can be managed through lifestyle changes, medication, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
As women navigate each stage of life and the associated challenges, they may experience symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Addressing these symptoms is crucial to helping women live healthier and happier lives.
31% of women experience severe reproductive health problems, but less than half seek help.
1 in 7 couples experience difficulties conceiving
Over 1/3 of women feel menopause has affected their work life.
What causes women’s health problems?
Women’s health problems can arise from a variety of factors. They are often interconnected and complex.
Menstrual Health Issues
Conditions like PMS, dysmenorrhea (painful periods), and irregular cycles can be caused by hormonal imbalances, genetics, and lifestyle factors. PCOS and endometriosis are also significant contributors, where hormonal dysfunction and abnormal tissue growth cause severe menstrual pain and irregularities.
Infertility
Female infertility can result from numerous issues, including ovulatory disorders, which are often influenced by hormonal imbalances or conditions like PCOS. Structural problems such as blocked fallopian tubes or uterine abnormalities can also impede conception. Additionally, age-related decline in fertility and lifestyle factors like stress, poor diet, and excessive alcohol or tobacco use can contribute to infertility.
Perinatal Mental Health Issues
Mental health problems during and after pregnancy, such as postnatal depression and anxiety, can be triggered by hormonal changes, physical and emotional stress, and a history of mental health issues. The significant lifestyle adjustments and the responsibilities of caring for a newborn can also exacerbate these conditions. Lack of support, sleep deprivation, and previous traumatic childbirth experiences can further elevate the risk for women to develop them.
Menopause Symptoms
Menopause symptoms are triggered by the natural decline in oestrogen and progesterone levels as women age. This can lead to symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Psychological factors, such as stress and anxiety about ageing and fertility loss, can also worsen symptoms. Lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and smoking, along with genetic predispositions, can significantly influence menopausal experiences.
The impact of living with health problems for women
Living with health problems can significantly impact a woman’s emotional and physical wellbeing, affecting many aspects of your life. Chronic conditions or ongoing health issues often lead to feelings of frustration, helplessness, and anxiety, influencing mood and outlook. Persistent pain or discomfort can reduce your enjoyment of daily activities, causing decreased motivation and isolation.
In the workplace, health problems can impair your concentration, productivity, and performance. Frequent medical appointments or the need for rest can result in increased absenteeism and missed deadlines. This may create stress and anxiety about your job security and professional reputation.
Managing health problems requires significant time and energy. You may have to limit your social activities and hobbies, leading to social withdrawal and feelings of isolation. Relationships with your family and friends may suffer as you participate in fewer social gatherings or family events. Loved ones might struggle to understand your condition, leading to loneliness and misunderstanding.
Ongoing health issues can also strain intimate relationships. Your partner may find it challenging to navigate the emotional and practical aspects of chronic illness. This can cause tension in your relationship and decreased intimacy.
As the impact of living with health problems extends beyond physical symptoms, it’s important to seek support and understanding.
How can they be managed?
Managing women’s health issues involves a combination of medical treatments, lifestyle changes, and support systems tailored to specific conditions.
Menstrual Health
Conditions such as PMS, heavy periods, and PCOS can be managed with medications, dietary adjustments, regular exercise, and stress management techniques. You should seek medical advice if you experience severe pain, excessively heavy bleeding, or irregular cycles that disrupt daily life.
Infertility
Treatments include medications to stimulate ovulation, surgical procedures to correct structural issues, and assisted reproductive technologies like IVF. Lifestyle changes around exercise and nutrition plus stress management techniques are also often recommended.
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Prenatal care involves regular check-ups, proper nutrition, exercise, and monitoring for conditions such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Postnatal care includes managing recovery and addressing any complications. Women should seek medical advice immediately for any concerns during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Postnatal Depression and Anxiety
You can manage this with therapy, support groups, and sometimes medication. New mothers experiencing prolonged sadness, anxiety, or difficulty bonding with their baby should consult their health visitor or GP.
Menopause
Symptoms such as hot flushes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances can be managed with lifestyle changes, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and non-hormonal medications. You should consult a doctor if menopausal symptoms significantly impact your quality of life.
How can hypnotherapy help?
Solution focused hypnotherapy offers a positive and forward-focused approach to managing women’s health issues. It can improve your mental and physical health by promoting relaxation and reducing stress through positive changes and trance.
Menstrual Issues
Hypnotherapy helps alleviate symptoms of conditions like premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea by promoting relaxation and reducing stress, which can exacerbate menstrual discomfort. Through regular sessions, your hypnotherapist can help you develop coping strategies to manage pain and reduce emotional fluctuations, enhancing your overall wellbeing.
Infertility
Infertility often causes significant emotional stress and anxiety. Hypnotherapy for women can help you manage these feelings by fostering a positive mindset and reducing stress. This can sometimes improve reproductive health. Hypnotherapy sessions focus on building your mental and emotional resilience, which can support you through fertility treatments.
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Hypnotherapy can help pregnant women by reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and promoting a calm state of mind. These are all crucial for both mother and baby to thrive. Hypnotherapy techniques can also prepare women for childbirth by increasing confidence and pain management skills. This often leads to a more positive birthing experience.
Postnatal Depression and Anxiety
After childbirth, many women experience mood swings and anxiety. Solution focused hypnotherapy for women provides tools to manage these feelings effectively. By focusing on positive goals and using relaxation techniques, women can reduce symptoms of postnatal depression and anxiety. This improves their ability to bond with their baby and enjoy motherhood.
Menopause
Menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances can be eased with solution focused hypnotherapy. By helping you to manage stress and promoting relaxation, hypnotherapy can reduce the severity of your symptoms. It also aids in maintaining a positive outlook during this transitional phase, enhancing your overall quality of life.
It can be beneficial to complement hypnotherapy with appropriate medical treatment. If you are experiencing severe symptoms or significant distress, seek advice from your GP or appropriate healthcare professional.
Our Women’s Health Specialists
Carmen Harrington
Market Harborough
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Chris Johannes
Spalding
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone East
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Peter Ely
Islington
Victoria Anderson
Sunderland
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
