Hello, welcome! This is a women’s health web page. We work on bringing awareness to issues that affect women all over the world. We hope that if you're battling with something mentioned, you can find comfort here. Thank you for your visit!
Women's Physical Health
Dangers of synthetic period products
I have dealt with heavy period flow and painful period cramping;
my heavy flow often stained my bed and clothing when I wore
synthetic period products (e.g, sanitary pads). Last year, I
found that chemicals in sanitary period products can negatively
affect women’s bodies. Cotton period products, such as tampons
and pads, are usually covered in either foreign compounds called
xenoestrogens (xeno = foreign) or endocrine-disrupting
chemicals. Xenoestrogens, such as bisphenol A (BPA), act as
oestrogens (women’s period and fertility hormones); these
chemicals block oestrogen-production, which increases levels of
circulating oestrogen that thickens the uterine lining. The
thickening of the uterine lining causes more period cramps and
heavier flows. After I found this out, I tried reusable pads and
period underwear, both of which caused me to have less leakage
and cramping. I want to bring awareness to this issue because I
believe not many females are aware of the menstrual issues
sanitary products can cause. I also hope more widespread
knowledge of reusable products can reduce the amount of spending
women usually have to do for synthetic period items.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
1 in every 10 women. That’s how many women suffer from
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This condition is a hormonal
disorder that causes cysts on the ovaries, irregular periods,
hirsutism, infertility, and much more. You most likely know
someone who has it, or maybe you have it yourself. Even with the
number of women with this condition, many people still don’t
know about it. My goal is to educate those around me. This is
because, at just 15 years old, I find myself being the one out
of the ten. This condition wreaks havoc inside the bodies of
sufferers; I've seen it in myself. I attribute my anxiety,
depression, weight, and a good bit of physical characteristics
to it. What can you do to learn more about the issue and help
those who suffer from it? 1. Learn about the symptoms that PCOS
women experience. 2. Know that PCOS affects everyone
differently. 3. Don’t assume that just because someone looks a
certain way, they are not trying their best. 4: Be understanding
of the changes in behavior. 5. Support them in developing
healthy habits. 6. Inform others. By taking charge with these
steps, you can make a difference in the lives of many people.
Women's Mental Health
Beauty Standards
As a child, a pivotal moment engraved vividly in my memory was
turning on the TV after school, only to be bombarded by a parade
of women celebrated for their beauty—none of whom resembled me.
This message conveyed an unattainable standard of beauty that I
struggled to conform to. Over time, I came to realize the
distortion perpetuated by the media, which robbed me of a part
of my childhood. So today, I'm determined to change this
narrative so others never have to measure their worth by
unrealistic standards. The influence of media, culture, and
society shows a narrow view of beauty, often at the expense of
diversity. Studies like Dove's "The Real Truth About Beauty:
Revisited" reveal the detrimental effects, with 69% of women and
65% of girls perceiving the media as promoting an unattainable
standard. Additionally, research published in the Journal of
Adolescent Health shows that 47% of girls express a desire to
alter their appearance, reflecting the internalized negativity
bred by these standards. By challenging these standards and
promoting inclusivity and self-acceptance, we can empower
individuals to recognize their inherent worth beyond societal
expectations, fostering a world where everyone feels valued for
who they are.
Accommodations For Period Pain In The Workplace
Would you be comfortable telling your boss that you need to take
off work because of period pain? If you answered no, you’re part
of the large majority of women who feel like they can’t speak to
their managers about needing time off for reasons related to
period symptoms. Due to the stigma surrounding periods, many
women aren’t comfortable speaking about them to others, even to
healthcare providers. This is because of the fear of being
shamed, since it’s a commonly shared experience among women. The
fact that women expressed that 82% of employers did not make any
accommodations for them feeds back into the idea that periods
are something women should be quiet about when really it is a
social issue. Resolving this problem requires us to speak up and
advocate for ourselves. Raising awareness can help bring about
changes in the workplace and encourage employers to consider our
needs. Suffering in silence has never taken the pain away.
Mental Health Within Pregnant Teens
Mental health should be a top priority for pregnant teenagers,
as their brains are not fully developed and they may struggle to
cope with the added stress of pregnancy. Studies show that
adolescent mothers are at higher risk of suicide and substance
abuse, making it essential to support them. While teenage
pregnancy has positive outcomes, such as increased maturity and
motivation to succeed, it's still crucial to acknowledge the
risks associated with it and provide comprehensive education to
help teenagers make informed decisions about their reproductive
health. Additionally, teenage pregnancy has far-reaching
implications for society, as teenage mothers are more likely to
drop out of school and rely on public assistance. Therefore,
it's in society's best interest to provide support and resources
to help teenage parents overcome the challenges they may face,
ensuring every child has the best possible start in life.
Safe spaces for trans women AND cis women.
The LGBTQIA community has faced oppression for years, even
though we are more accepting and open-minded. Homophobia and
transphobia are still issues, similar to sexism. While it has
been several years since women gained rights, it still poses an
issue. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I insist that
we need a safe space for trans women and women in general. You
might think that something like this is trivial, even pointless.
“But those men will never be real women!” Statements like that
are the exact things I want to erase from history; they are
incredibly hurtful and just unnecessary. Trans women need the
affirmation of “real” women so they can finally feel like they
belong. That they are a “real woman." We, as sisters of Mother
Earth, must be there to lift each other up, encourage one
another, and most importantly, love and accept not only
ourselves but others as well. Then soon, the whole world will be
a safe space. But just like all grand things, we must start
small.
Teens and Girls’ Health
Safe Spaces For Teens To Discuss Mental Health
Teens' mental health has become increasingly concerning over the
years. With social media, potential pressures from parents,
school life, and the desire to discover who we are, feelings of
anxiety and/or depression are bound to enter our lives at some
point. According to a KFF analysis, “About 1 in 5 adolescents
report symptoms of anxiety or depression.” And unsurprisingly,
these mental disorders are more common among girls, LGBTQ+, and
black teens. One of the best ways to help is by providing teens
with much needed support. This support should come from not only
trusted adults but also other teens. Having peers you can relate
to creates a community and helps resolve feelings of loneliness.
The place to start is at school. We should encourage our schools
to create mental health groups targeted toward girls, LGBTQ+,
and teens of color.
