'Women’s Health' is one of the most pressing global health challenges that governments and nations around the world are facing today. A number of summits and conferences are lined up in 2020 across cities in Europe, UK, Middle East, Asia Pacific, Canada and many more. The idea is to bring leaders, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, investors and other stakeholders together to evaluate, recognize and devise solutions for problems relating to women’s health. 

India too is not far behind when it comes to focusing on better healthcare facilities for the women of our country. Thus, with so much focus on Women’s Health and its advancements, it is imperative for every individual to empower women to take care of their health. 

Before we dive in and look at the health issues that modern women are fighting today, let us understand the root cause of the problems.

Health condition of women in the modern era:

Women, in the modern world, are most vulnerable to major infections and diseases. The main reasons for this are a stressful lifestyle, lack of sufficient nutrients in the diet, and lack of physical, sexual and emotional support. Women today, are leading busier lives than ever before, allowing their health to slip off the priority list. 

With busier lives, women are under more stress and unable to focus on a healthy lifestyle and diet. As the stress becomes chronic and excessive, most women are dealing with negative outcomes like headaches, tiredness, sleep disturbances, difficulty in sleeping, skin problems, drug and alcohol abuse, overeating and undereating, loss of interest in sexual activities, back and neck pain, difficulty in conceiving [getting pregnant], irritable bowel syndrome, obesity and high blood pressure. This excessive stress has also led to emotional disorders such as depression, anxiety, anger, mood swings, frustration, unhappiness, irritability, and feeling out of control. Lack of proper stress management has not only impacted women’s social and professional life, it has also a major effect on the happiness quotient and wellbeing of a nation.

Causes of stress in women:

Women are swarmed with several roles and responsibilities in daily life including taking care of children or elderly parents, family obligations, work responsibilities and other roles. As demand increases, women can feel overwhelmed and gradually stress about not being able to meet all expectations. In most cases, women lack the need to nurture themselves and do not know what their needs are. 

Common medical conditions and diseases that affect women:

  • PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease)/ PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Increased infertility/ Pregnancy issues
  • Reproductive organ dysfunction
  • Malnutrition
  • AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)

Proactive measures/tips for overall women’s health:

A woman is the backbone of every family. It’s time she puts her health as a priority to be able to take care of and help others around her. Here are some quick health tips that every woman must follow to have a healthier and a happier life:

  • Do regular exercise [5 days a week] for 30 minutes every day
  • Squeeze in "Me-time" along with work-life balance
  • Work towards self-esteem, self-motivation, happiness and overall wellness
  • Avoid or manage stress through meditation, exercise, and relaxation techniques
  • Get regular medical tests and examinations to get an overview of the health status
  • Eat a healthy diet rich in nutrients, and drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water every day
  • Quit smoking and restrict alcohol consumption
  • Sleep on time to get your body to do the reparative and rejuvenation process which is essential for long-term good health for all.