Women's Health: The Essentials

Women transition through many physiological changes throughout life. From the onset of menstruation through to pregnancy and menopause, it's vital for women to be well-informed and proactive in caring for their changing bodies. In this article we will shed light on 10 common myths surrounding women's health and the actual facts.

Myth: Menstrual cycles should be exactly 28 days long.

The Facts: Menstrual cycles vary widely among women. A normal cycle can be anywhere from 21 to 35 days in adults, and from 21 to 45 days in young teens.

Myth: It's safe to have unprotected sex during your period because you can't get pregnant.

The Facts: While the likelihood of getting pregnant during menstruation is lower, it's certainly not impossible. Sperm can survive in the body for up to five days, and if a woman has a shorter menstrual cycle, ovulation could occur soon after her period ends, making pregnancy a definite possibility.

Myth: If there’s no family history of breast cancer, you’re not at risk.

The Facts: While having a family history of breast cancer can increase your risk, the majority of breast cancer cases occur in women with no family history. Factors such as age, lifestyle choices and environmental exposures also play a significant role in a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. Regular screenings and self-examinations are critical for all women, regardless of family history.

Myth: Using hormonal birth control for extended periods can harm long-term fertility.

The Facts: There's no substantial evidence to support the claim that hormonal contraceptives cause long-term fertility problems. Most women's fertility will return to their normal levels after discontinuing them. It can sometimes take a few months for ovulation and menstrual cycles to return to the individual's typical pattern, but this does not equate to reduced long-term fertility.

Myth: Doing exercises like squats and abdominal work during pregnancy must always be avoided.?

The Facts: Exercise during pregnancy is generally beneficial and can include a wide range of activities. However, it is important to adapt exercise routines to your changing body and consult your own healthcare providers to ensure specific moves are safe for you to perform in your individual circumstances. For example, lying flat on your back for prolonged periods during exercise should be avoided, particularly after 16 weeks, due to potential pressure of your bump on large blood vessels.

Myth: When you're pregnant you should be eating for two people.

The Facts: This adage suggests that pregnant women need to significantly increase their food intake. However, the reality is that the caloric needs during pregnancy only increase modestly. The NHS recommends that pregnant women only need an extra 200 calories per day in the third trimester. It's the quality of the diet, rather than the quantity, which is important for foetal development.

Myth: If you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you'll definitely know.

The Facts: Many STIs can be asymptomatic, meaning they don't always cause noticeable symptoms. Regular testing is important, especially if you have new or multiple partners.

Myth: Only younger women need the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.

The Facts: In the UK, the HPV vaccine is recommended for all girls and boys from the age of 11 as part of the national vaccination programme. Eligible young people can receive their vaccine up until their 25th birthday. The HPV vaccine is also offered to certain groups of adults thought to be at higher risk of infection, including men. It protects against specific strains of the human papillomavirus, which are associated with different types of cancer.

Myth: Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women.

The Facts: While breast cancer is a significant health concern for women, the leading cause of death in women varies by age group. In 2022, the leading cause of death for women in England and Wales overall was dementia. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in many parts of the world.

Myth: Fertility declines drastically after age 30.

The Facts: While fertility does decline with age, it's not an abrupt drop at the age of 30. Many women conceive naturally in their 30s and even early 40s. The decline in fertility tends to be more gradual, with a more noticeable decrease after the mid-30s. Understanding one’s fertility and discussing it with a healthcare provider can help in family planning and in making informed decisions regarding reproductive health.

It's important to dispel myths about women's health to ensure that everyone has access to accurate information and can better take care of their body. Whilst we point out 10 myths above, there are many more misconceptions that could potentially harm women's wellbeing if left unchallenged – from cancer to reproductive health, it is crucial to promote the education of these topics.

Please note: When we use the word ‘women’, we are referring to women, trans men, people who are non-binary who were assigned female at birth and cis gender women.