How To Support Women's Health: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding women’s health is key to providing the right support. From hormonal changes to reproductive health and conditions that affect women differently, being informed helps you recognize challenges and offer meaningful support.

In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8th, Alea shares what you need to know to better understand the health journeys of the women in your life—and how to support them every step of the way.

1. Encouraging Regular Health Screenings

Preventive care is one of the best ways to support long-term health. Many serious conditions—such as breast cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease—can be detected early through routine screenings.

Here are some recommended health checkups for Women:

Breast Cancer Screening

Women aged 40+ should have annual or biennial mammograms (varies by country). Younger women should perform regular self-exams and consult a doctor if they notice lumps or changes.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Women aged 21-65 should have a Pap smear every 3 years (or every 5 years if combined with an HPV test). HPV vaccination can prevent cervical cancer—it’s recommended for girls and young women up to age 26.

Bone Health (Osteoporosis Screening)

Women over 50 (or those with risk factors like early menopause) should get a bone density test. Doctors usually encourage calcium and vitamin D intake to maintain bone health.

Heart Health Monitoring

Women should have regular blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar tests to assess cardiovascular risk. Heart disease is one of the leading cause of death in women, yet symptoms can differ from men’s (e.g., nausea, fatigue, jaw pain instead of chest pain).

How to support:

• Remind your partner, mother, or sister about checkups and help schedule appointments.
• Offer to accompany them to screenings if they’re nervous or need assistance.
• Help with lifestyle changes (e.g., meal planning for heart health, encouraging physical activity).

2. Supporting Reproductive and Hormonal Health

Women go through several reproductive and hormonal phases that impact their health, from menstruation to menopause. These changes can bring discomfort, medical conditions, or increased health risks.

Menstrual Health

Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) or heavy bleeding could indicate conditions like endometriosis or fibroids. Irregular cycles or skipped periods may be linked to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hormonal imbalances.

How to Support:

• Take concerns seriously. Chronic pain or heavy bleeding isn’t "normal"—encourage medical evaluation.
• Help track symptoms. Apps or journals can identify patterns in irregular cycles or severe PMS.
• Offer comfort measures. Heating pads, pain relievers, and balanced meals can help manage menstrual discomfort.

Pregnancy and Postpartum Support

Pregnancy brings significant cardiovascular and metabolic changes. Postpartum recovery includes both physical healing and risk for postpartum depression (affecting 1 in 7 women).

How to Support:

• Encourage prenatal visits and proper nutrition (folic acid, iron, and DHA for fetal development).
• Be aware of postpartum complications like excessive bleeding, high blood pressure, or mood disorders.
• Help with sleep, nutrition, and baby care so new mothers can recover properly.

Menopause and Hormonal Changes

Menopause (typically between 45-55 years) causes estrogen decline, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and increased osteoporosis risk.

How to Support:

• Encourage medical consultation for hormone therapy (HRT) or non-hormonal symptom management.
• Support bone health with weight-bearing exercise and proper calcium intake.
• Be patient with mood swings or sleep issues, as these are common menopause effects.

3. Promoting Heart and Metabolic Health

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide. High blood pressure and cholesterol increase after menopause due to estrogen loss.

How to support:

• Encourage heart-healthy habits like the Mediterranean diet and regular exercise.
• Help monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Recognize heart attack symptoms in women, which may include shortness of breath, nausea, or fatigue (rather than chest pain alone).

Diabetes and Weight Management

Women with PCOS or gestational diabetes have higher Type 2 diabetes risk. Additionally, weight gain after menopause can contribute to metabolic disorders.

How to Support:

• Assist with meal planning focused on fiber, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
• Encourage regular exercise (walking, resistance training, yoga).
• Help with stress management, as chronic stress affects weight and blood sugar.

4. Understanding Mental Health & Sleep Support

Women have higher rates of anxiety, depression, and insomnia, often linked to hormonal changes and life pressures.

Common concerns include postpartum depression (severe mood changes after childbirth), perimenopausal mood shifts (due to declining estrogen) and chronic sleep disturbances (often linked to stress, anxiety, or menopause).

How to Support:

• Encourage mental health checkups just like physical checkups.
• Recognize signs of depression or anxiety (persistent fatigue, irritability, withdrawal).
• Promote good sleep hygiene—dim lights at night, reduce caffeine, and establish a relaxing bedtime routine.

5. Encouraging Preventive Vaccinations & Immunity Support

Some health risks are preventable with vaccines. Women should stay up to date on:

✅ HPV vaccine (protects against cervical cancer, recommended until age 26) ✅ Flu shot (pregnant women and older adults are at higher risk of complications) ✅ Pneumonia & shingles vaccines (important for women over 50)

Supporting women’s health isn’t just about offering encouragement—it’s about being informed, proactive, and involved. Whether it’s reminding loved ones to schedule medical checkups, helping manage symptoms, or assisting with lifestyle changes, small actions can make a big impact.

By focusing on preventive care, reproductive health, heart health, mental well-being, and vaccinations, family and friends can play an essential role in ensuring women live longer, healthier lives.