Women’s health is complicated in more ways than one. There are so many different stages and symptoms that women go through throughout their lives that it’s no wonder they have questions about their bodies. It’s especially complicated because whether it’s menstruation, fertility or menopause, a lot of the changes their bodies go through are similar in each stage. How can women truly know what’s going on inside their bodies? Having accessible education and accurate answers is the best way to help them prepare for each stage of their lives.
You would think this is an easy answer or solution to the problem, but that is not necessarily the case. Women’s health is often put on the backburner, and this lack of transparency regarding their health is putting them at risk. When it comes to menopause, for example, studies show that the majority of women are not receiving adequate education surrounding this new phase, ultimately leading them to experience it blindly. 80% of survey respondents say they never received lessons or teaching about menopause throughout their education. Instead, studies show that most people get their information from family members and friends or head online to find what they are looking for.
This can be helpful and accessible for most people, but what happens when the answers they find are not accurate? That’s why healthcare providers and doctors need to make information more accessible and highlight the different stages of a woman’s life instead of letting them figure it out on their own. Menopause is an especially confusing time for women because of the many symptoms associated with it, so it’s important not to gatekeep helpful information.
“Providing healthcare education is all about being transparent and taking the time to dive into deep subjects. For women, many do not know about menopause, and so there needs to be more communication on all fronts so they can feel more prepared as they enter this stage,” says Proov CEO Amy Beckley.
Taking a more proactive approach can help women feel more confident in themselves. It all starts with breaking the stigma surrounding women’s health. Schools can implement more in-depth education on all stages of women’s health, like menstruation, fertility and menopause, instead of just focusing on their sexual health. That is definitely important, but there needs to be transparency on every level.
Doctors and physician’s offices can also take extra time to make sure their patients are well-educated on these topics instead of just waiting for them to ask questions. Oftentimes, women don’t know what they don’t know, so asking questions might not be something they are even prepared to do. There is no harm in helping women feel ready to take on whatever life throws at them, especially menopause. Communication is key.
“When women have questions or concerns about their bodies and menopause, healthcare providers should be active listeners. Understanding their concerns and being proactive about helping them feel comfortable should be a top priority. Whether that’s encouraging menopause testing or helping them find ways to manage their symptoms, nothing should be taken lightly,” Beckley says.
Why should women’s health be put on the back burner? Breaking the stigma means having those open and honest conversations, so that everyone can be well versed on how their bodies change. Because menstruation, fertility and menopause are all so closely related it’s likely for there to be a gray area. Communicating and taking proactive steps to help women feel comfortable is necessary to break these barriers.
When women’s health is not talked about it leaves women out of the loop, putting their health overall at risk. When there are no clear guidelines for what to expect at each stage of life, it can cause women to listen to inaccurate sources, which harms them even further. Making women;s health education a core function in the healthcare system, women can get the highest level of care they deserve. Education is putting the care back in healthcare.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
