Women’s health is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Yet, for far too long, conversations about midlife health, menopause, and hormonal well-being have been overlooked or dismissed. This International Women’s Day, as we celebrate the theme: Rights. Equality. Empowerment., it’s time to reaffirm that every woman deserves access to clear, evidence-based health information—because knowledge is power, and empowerment begins with understanding our own bodies.
Health equality means ensuring that every woman, regardless of age or background, has the right to make informed choices about her well-being. Whether it’s advocating for better medical support, breaking the silence around midlife health, or equipping the next generation with essential knowledge, we must push for a future where women’s health is no longer an afterthought.
This month, let’s not just acknowledge the challenges—let’s take action. Let’s champion women’s rights by ensuring they have access to the information and care they need. Because when women are empowered in their health, they are empowered in every aspect of life.
Why Information Matters
For too long, women’s health concerns—particularly those related to nurturing oneself through midlife, menopause, and hormonal changes—have been overlooked, dismissed, or misunderstood. Misinformation and outdated narratives persist, leaving many women uncertain about their options or struggling to access the care they need.
Empowering women with knowledge is the first step toward change. Education is a powerful tool for change. When women understand how their bodies work and what evidence-based solutions are available, they can take control of their health, advocate for themselves in medical settings, and make informed decisions that support their long-term well-being.
Empowering Women Through Education and Advocacy
My commitment to this year’s theme is centred on empowering women by providing them the right to clear, accessible, and evidence-based health education so that women of all ages feel equipped to navigate key health transitions.
Breaking the Silence on Midlife Health
Many women enter perimenopause and menopause with little to no prior education about the changes that happen at this stage of life. Not knowing what to expect and how to manage the changes they experience are very common issues in my clinical consultations every week. Sally (not her real name), 43, said, ‘I need support to get off the perimenopause roller-coaster’ whilst Alex, 44, shared, ‘My symptoms are keeping me up at night and it is affecting my life and my family’.
Symptoms like brain fog, joint pain, disrupted sleep (which we talked about in our blog on Sleepless in Midlife: Practical Strategies for Managing Menopausal Sleep Disturbances), and mood changes can be confusing, leading to unnecessary suffering. By making reliable information widely available, we can change the narrative from uncertainty to empowerment.
Helping Women Understand Their Options
From lifestyle changes (such as moving your body) and nutrition (like incorporating a rainbow diet) to medical interventions such as hormone therapy, every woman deserves to know what evidence-based options exist for managing her health. By presenting clear, unbiased information, we allow women to make choices that align with their personal health goals and circumstances.
Supporting Girls from the Start
Health education should not begin in midlife. Girls and young women deserve access to accurate information about menstrual health, hormonal changes, and long-term well-being. When young women understand the importance of hormonal balance, mental health, and preventive care, they can make proactive choices that set the foundation for lifelong wellness.
Challenging the Stigma Around Women’s Health
Societal taboos around menstruation, menopause, and reproductive health have held women back for generations. When I meet with midlife women in their 40s and 50s, many have no knowledge of their mothers’, aunties’, or grandmothers’ experiences with perimenopause and menopause, as women’s health was a previously taboo subject, rarely discussed. Open discussions and education-based advocacy are essential to shifting this outdated mindset.
Too often, women seeking guidance on managing their symptoms find their concerns overlooked or their choices limited, leaving them without the full range of evidence-based options available. Women should not feel dismissed or unheard when they seek medical advice about their own bodies. By accelerating conversations about women’s health, we push forward a future where no woman is left in the dark about her own well-being.
How You Can Take Action
This International Women’s Day, I encourage you to:
#1 Ask Questions About Your Health
Seek out evidence-based information and discuss your options with trusted healthcare providers.
Empowering women with knowledge is fundamental to enhancing their health and well-being, particularly during midlife transitions. To take action and make informed decisions about your health, it’s important to be proactive and seek out reliable information. Asking questions and engaging in open discussions with healthcare providers can help you understand your options and make choices that align with your personal health goals.
To support you in this process, I’ve developed a downloadable resource called Navigating Your Midlife Health Journey: Five Key Questions About HRT that can serve as your starting point for these important conversations. This guide aims to provide you with key questions to ask your healthcare provider about hormone replacement therapy, helping you navigate this complex topic with confidence and clarity.
#2 Advocate for Yourself and Others
If your symptoms are dismissed, push for answers. If someone you know is struggling with their health, help them find reliable resources.
Advocacy is a powerful tool for change, both for yourself and others. When you encounter dismissive attitudes or inadequate responses to your health concerns, don’t be afraid to persist. Ask for clarification or seek a second opinion if necessary. Remember, you are the expert on your own body and experiences. For those around you who may be struggling with their health, offer support by helping them find credible resources, accompanying them to appointments if needed, or simply listening without judgment.
By standing up for yourself and extending a helping hand to others, you contribute to a culture where women’s health concerns are taken seriously and addressed comprehensively. This collective advocacy can lead to improved healthcare experiences and outcomes for all women.
#3 Share Knowledge
The more we talk about midlife health, hormone changes, and women’s well-being, the more we normalise these discussions and support others on their journey.
Sharing knowledge is a powerful act of solidarity that can transform lives. When we talk openly about our experiences with midlife health, hormone changes, and overall well-being, we help create a more understanding environment for all women. Consider having a casual chat with friends, sharing helpful articles online, or participating in community discussions.
Your openness might provide comfort or insight to someone who needs it. For instance, a friend might find relief in knowing they’re not alone in their experiences.
By making these topics part of our everyday conversations, we foster a supportive atmosphere where women feel more comfortable seeking information and care. Your shared experiences and insights, however small they may seem, can make a meaningful difference in someone else’s journey to better health.
The Future of Women’s Health Is in Our Hands
This International Women’s Day, let’s recognise that advocating for women’s health is advocating for women’s rights. Every woman deserves the right to accurate health information, the equality to access quality care, and the empowerment to make informed decisions about her well-being.
For too long, midlife health—especially perimenopause and menopause—has been treated as an afterthought. But change starts with us. Every conversation we have, every resource we share, and every time we stand up for ourselves and other women, we move closer to a future where women’s health is fully understood, valued, and prioritised.
This month is a time to celebrate progress while also pushing for more—more access, more education, and more advocacy. Because when women are empowered in their health, they are empowered in every aspect of life.
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