Women’s Health Week 2-6 September 2024
Knowing Our Bodies and Breaking the Silence on Common Health Issues
Introduction
Women's Health Week, organised by Jean Hailes for Women's Health, is a time for us to prioritise our well-being, understand our bodies, and break the silence on issues that often remain unspoken.
This year’s themes—Know Your Body, Courageous Conversations, Shame & Stigma, Trust Your Gut and The Point of Difference—resonate deeply with my personal experiences and my work as a pelvic floor physiotherapist. Here, I want to share my story and insights, and encourage women to open up about the issues that affect us all.
Know Your Body: My Journey with PCOS and Pelvic Health
Knowing our bodies isn't always easy, and sometimes we don’t get the answers we deserve. For years, I struggled with acne, difficulty controlling my weight, and an intuition that something was off with my hormones. I brought this to my (female) GP’s attention, suspecting Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), but I was dismissed and no surprises prescribed the pill. Despite asking for testing and finding a high AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) level, my doctor told me it was a normal finding because I didn’t fit the stereotypical symptoms. According to some data, around 40% of internal medicine residency programs did not include PCOS in their curricula, contributing to gaps in care.
It wasn’t until over a year later, during an MRI for something else, that my male hip surgeon (who is amazing) informed me that there was some findings suggestive of PCOS. This experience highlights how gender bias in healthcare is not just perpetuated by men; women can also dismiss each other’s concerns.
If I, as a healthcare professional, had to fight for answers and feel like I am not listened to, especially when I mention the words ‘naturopath’, I wonder how many others are being overlooked. My naturopath has helped me with my issues 100x over, and finding good healthcare professionals is a constant battle. Shout out to Briana from ByBlu Naturopathy.
Courageous Conversations: Normalising Pelvic and Reproductive Health Issues
In my practice, I meet countless women who are hesitant to talk about sensitive health issues—issues I’ve personally experienced, such as overactive bladder, pelvic floor weakness and overactivity, IBS, recurrent thrush, haemorrhoids, and painful sex. These are common problems, yet many women feel ashamed to even mention them.
As someone who has gone through this myself, I want to assure you: You are not alone. These issues are part of being human, and talking about them with healthcare professionals is key to receiving the right care. It’s time we normalise these conversations and create a safe space for all women to discuss their health openly.
Shame & Stigma: Breaking the Silence Around Women's Health
The shame and stigma surrounding women's health issues are deeply ingrained in society. From the embarrassment associated with painful sex to the discomfort around discussing pelvic health issues like thrush or haemorrhoids, many women feel isolated. But these should not be taboo topics—they are common conditions that we need to bring into the open. They are also more often than not treatable and managable.
When we keep these conversations hidden, we prevent ourselves from accessing the care we need. Let’s break the silence, reduce the stigma, and empower women to take control of their health.
The Point of Difference: Women’s Health Is Different—and Often Overlooked
Women’s health is fundamentally different from men’s, yet medical research and product development rarely reflect this. For years, seatbelts were only tested on male bodies, putting women at higher risk during accidents meaning you are 47% more likely to get injured in an accident. This is another one that is close to my heart, as I have just recovered from surgery for an ongoing injury from a car accident that I was involved in over 3 years ago. Even sleep research now shows a significant difference: women require at least 20minutes more sleep than men due to hormonal differences.
Moreover, in our region, access to comprehensive education about periods, sex, consent, and reproductive health is still limited, and access to abortion services remains a challenge. I was recently part of a forum hosted by not for profit organisation Women's Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West, where inspiring healthcare professionals discussed these very issues and the work they’re doing to create change. I left feeling so much more supported in this ongoing crusade for gender equality.
Conclusion
As we mark Women’s Health Week 2024, let’s take the time to know our bodies, engage in courageous conversations, and dismantle the shame and stigma surrounding common women’s health issues. By sharing our experiences, we can create a more open, supportive environment for everyone.
For further reading, I highly recommend Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez, which exposes the data bias that affects women’s lives—from medical research to workplace safety.
References
BMC Women's Health. (2020). Challenges in diagnosis and health care in polycystic ovary syndrome in Canada: A patient view to improve health care. BMC Women’s Health. Retrieved from https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com
Casas, S., Wong, M., & Brown, S. (2016). Program directors’ perceptions of resident education in women’s health: A national survey. Journal of Women’s Health, 26(8), 100-115.
Gendered Innovations. (2021). Inclusive crash test dummies: Analyzing reference models. Stanford University. Retrieved September 12, 2024, from https://genderedinnovations.stanford.edu
Jean Hailes for Women's Health. (2023, March 1). Do women need more sleep than men? Jean Hailes for Women's Health. https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/news/do-women-need-more-sleep-than-men
McKinsey & Company. (2023). Closing the gender data gap in healthcare. McKinsey & Company. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com
