Women’s health is of paramount importance. Women need to ensure that they take the time to look after their physical and mental well-being. They need to put their health first and make sure that they are doing all they can to stay healthy and strong.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, just how extensive was the effect on Women’s Health? To find out, GOQii conducted a focused group study with around 3000 women with questions pertaining to menstrual patterns, PCOD, Thyroid, fertility, conception and pregnancy.
Women’s Health Issues Continue To Persist
In the report, we found that 51% of women in India continue to struggle with ongoing health issues such as menstrual irregularities, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, UTI and fibroids, diabetes, and infertility.
Nearly 41.7% of women have PCOS for more than five years, and a similar number of women have had the diagnosis within the past 12 months. Also, 63.3% of those polled experience irregular or infrequent menstrual cycles as a result of PCOS, and 41.7% of the female respondents were unaware that changing one’s lifestyle can help manage PCOS.
Endometriosis Emerges As A Silent Menace
Endometriosis has emerged as a new health issue, affecting one in every 10 women of reproductive age. The survey found that 57.1% of women have had endometriosis for one to five years. Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is found outside of the uterus, usually on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other organs in the pelvis. It can cause painful periods, pain during or after sex, and infertility.
Research has indicated that genetic, hormonal and environmental factors may play a role in the onset of endometriosis, though the exact cause of the condition is still unknown. The survey also indicates that 16.5% of women have menstrual issues, and 1.2% have infertility issues, with 21.7% of the women agreeing that their advanced age was indeed a factor contributing to infertility issues.
A woman’s age is a critical determinant in her chances of becoming pregnant and having a healthy child. In India, the childbearing age of women has been steadily increasing over the past decade. This can be attributed to factors such as an increasing number of women in the workforce, rising levels of education, improved access to contraception and changing social norms.
Can Lifestyle Changes Help?
The report concludes that lifestyle modifications can help manage various women’s health issues. Our Founder and CEO Vishal Gondal said in the report that due to the demands of daily life and the juggling of work, family and home commitments, women frequently overlook their health, and emphasized incorporating lifestyle changes into everyday life.
Women need to make sure that they are eating well, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and managing their stress levels. Women also need to make time for self-care activities such as yoga & meditation. Women’s health is a priority, women need to remember that their health is their greatest asset, and they must look after it accordingly.
To read the detailed report, click here. For more on improving women’s health issues through lifestyle, click here.
#BeTheForce
If a woman lifts weights, does she bulk up like a man would? Will it change her appearance to a more muscular one like those guys at gyms who rip through every piece of heavy equipment they can get their hands on? Very few women desire that bulky or ripped look but those who don’t, tend to avoid using weights at all.
Yoga not only plays an important role in maintaining our health but also has a very good effect on our endocrine system. Due to a hectic lifestyle and everyday stress, people are experiencing a lot of hormonal problems. Some of the health issues faced by both men and women are hormonal changes, underactive or overactive thyroid and hormonal imbalance. Increase in cortisol levels, insulin deficiency or insulin resistance, early puberty and early menopause are few hormonal disorders that women face. It’s therefore good to know more about the endocrine system. The Endocrine system is a collection of glands that release hormones directly into the bloodstream to the targeted cells.
Endocrine system helps maintain the body’s homeostasis (balance). Metabolism, growth, sexual development, mental growth, mineral balance, heart rate regulation, setting our sleep cycle, muscular and skeletal growth are the functions of endocrine gland.
There has never been a single talk session that I have done and left without learning something new from the state, country or participants. On a trip to Kolkata, I learnt about this amazing drink made of roasted gram flour or what is popularly called in Northern India as “Sattu”. One of the participants in my session enlightened me about a drink made from ‘Sattu’ that the locals drink, that keeps them high on energy and healthy through the hot summer months.
