Women’s Health

    Researchedby:
    Louie Neri

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Molly Gregas, Marina Shkayeva
    Last Updated: August 16, 2022

    Women’s health focuses on the health needs specific to women. Traditionally, women were excluded from research. As such, women’s health is specifically important as we understand the different health needs between men and women. Diet and supplements can be helpful for improving and maintaining women’s health.

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    What does women’s health encompass?

    Women’s health encompasses the health concerns that women experience, which include conditions such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), menopause, infertility, and dysmenorrhea. Most research is conducted on cisgender women, but (depending upon the conditions/biological structures investigated) it can also pertain to transgender and nonbinary people.

    What type of healthcare provider should someone seek for women’s health concerns?

    What health screening tests are recommended for women?

    Can certain health conditions affect women differently?

    How could diet affect women’s health?

    Although many types of diets have been studied, eating a nutrient-dense and balanced diet is essential for supporting women’s health. Women tend to need more food that contain calcium, iron, and folic-acid (especially at different life stages such as pregnancy and breastfeeding) than men. A lack of these nutrients in the diet can lead to various conditions ranging from pregnancy complications to anemia.

    What supplements are of most interest for women’s health?

    Women often do not consume enough folic-acid, vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, and iron in their diet; therefore, supplements containing these nutrients are of great interest for women's health.

    Additionally, supplements such as ginger, lavender, magnesium, and St. John’s wort have been studied for reducing discomfort from various women’s health conditions. Finally, certain supplements are of interest for women’s health due to their estrogenic and other hormonal effects. Examples of these include: black cohosh, red clover, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), evening primrose oil, vitex agnus-castus, and soy isoflavones.

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    Frequently asked questions

    What does women’s health encompass?

    Women’s health encompasses the health concerns that women experience, which include conditions such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), menopause, infertility, and dysmenorrhea. Most research is conducted on cisgender women, but (depending upon the conditions/biological structures investigated) it can also pertain to transgender and nonbinary people.

    What type of healthcare provider should someone seek for women’s health concerns?

    For care related to specific conditions that women may encounter, an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) should be consulted. OB/GYNs specialize in the care of the female reproductive system, pregnancy, and women’s health as a whole. However, women may also experience other health concerns and may seek care from specialists in other fields.

    What health screening tests are recommended for women?

    Regular screening is key for catching potential health problems at an early stage. Examples of screening include a pap smear (a test for cervical cancer), bone density testing, breast exams, pelvic exams, and immunization. The frequency of health screening depends upon factors such as age and previous health history.[1]

    Can certain health conditions affect women differently?

    Yes. Historically, women have been underrepresented in medical research.[2] Because of this, some health conditions are sometimes underdiagnosed due to a lack of understanding of how they affect women. For instance, heart attacks tend to present differently in women when compared to men. It is not uncommon for women to not feel any chest pain during a heart attack. Instead, they may experience much milder symptoms, along with pain in the back, chest, arm, neck, jaw, shortness of breath, and general fatigue. For this reason, increased representation in medical research is paramount in improving health outcomes for women.[3]

    How could diet affect women’s health?

    Although many types of diets have been studied, eating a nutrient-dense and balanced diet is essential for supporting women’s health. Women tend to need more food that contain calcium, iron, and folic-acid (especially at different life stages such as pregnancy and breastfeeding) than men. A lack of these nutrients in the diet can lead to various conditions ranging from pregnancy complications to anemia.

    What supplements are of most interest for women’s health?

    Women often do not consume enough folic-acid, vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, and iron in their diet; therefore, supplements containing these nutrients are of great interest for women's health.

    Additionally, supplements such as ginger, lavender, magnesium, and St. John’s wort have been studied for reducing discomfort from various women’s health conditions. Finally, certain supplements are of interest for women’s health due to their estrogenic and other hormonal effects. Examples of these include: black cohosh, red clover, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), evening primrose oil, vitex agnus-castus, and soy isoflavones.