This Women’s Day, Put Your Health on the List
Every year on 9 August, South Africa celebrates National Women’s Day—a day that honours the courage, strength and determination of the more than 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 in protest against the extension of pass laws to women.
It is a day to recognise how far women have come, while also acknowledging the challenges that remain.
But Women’s Day can also be an important reminder of something women are often very good at putting last: their own health.
Between careers, families, children, relationships, household responsibilities and caring for others, it can be surprisingly easy to ignore your own symptoms, postpone a check-up or simply convince yourself that you’ll deal with something “when things calm down”.
This Women’s Day, consider putting your own wellbeing back on the list.
Women Often Carry More Than We See
Women’s health is about much more than reproductive health.
Physical health, emotional wellbeing, hormones, sleep, nutrition, sexual health, chronic conditions and everyday stress all contribute to how you feel.
The World Health Organization recognises that women can face a complex range of health challenges influenced not only by biology but also by social, economic and caregiving responsibilities.
And sometimes the biggest challenge is simply finding the time to seek help.
You don’t need to wait until something becomes unbearable before speaking to a healthcare professional.
Pay Attention to Changes in Your Body
You know your body better than anyone else.
That means changes that persist, feel unusual or simply don’t seem right are worth paying attention to.
Symptoms that may warrant a conversation with a healthcare professional include:
- Unexplained or persistent fatigue
- Changes in your menstrual cycle
- Unusually heavy or painful periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Persistent pelvic or abdominal pain
- Changes in your breasts
- Unexplained changes in weight
- Frequent headaches
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits
- Persistent pain
- Changes in sleep
- Skin changes that concern you
- Symptoms that repeatedly return
Having one of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean something serious is wrong.
The important thing is not to continually ignore a change because life is busy.
Preventative Healthcare Matters
Healthcare is not only about treating illness after it appears.
Preventative care can help identify risk factors and health conditions earlier, when there may be more options for managing them.
Depending on your age, personal health history and family history, your healthcare needs may include conversations about:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Blood glucose and diabetes risk
- Cervical health and screening
- Breast health
- Contraception
- Sexual health
- Bone health
- Menopause
- Heart health
- Mental health
- Lifestyle and nutrition
There is no single health checklist that applies to every woman.
Your healthcare professional can help determine which screenings, tests or assessments are appropriate for you based on your individual circumstances.
Don’t Normalise Feeling Exhausted All the Time
Feeling tired after a particularly busy week is normal.
Feeling completely exhausted week after week deserves a little more attention.
Persistent fatigue can have many possible causes, including stress, poor sleep, nutritional deficiencies, anaemia, thyroid problems, infections, medication side effects and other medical conditions.
Women can sometimes become accustomed to functioning while tired and assume that exhaustion is simply part of a busy lifestyle.
If fatigue is interfering with your daily life or doesn’t improve with adequate rest, it is worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
Your Mental Health Counts Too
Looking after your health means looking after your emotional wellbeing as well.
Stress, anxiety, burnout and depression don’t always look dramatic.
Sometimes they look like:
- Feeling constantly overwhelmed
- Losing interest in things you normally enjoy
- Being unusually irritable
- Struggling to concentrate
- Feeling emotionally exhausted
- Having difficulty sleeping
- Withdrawing from friends or family
- Feeling as though you’re simply going through the motions
Women often carry significant responsibilities at work and at home, and caring for everyone else can leave very little energy for themselves.
You don’t need to reach breaking point before asking for support.
Women’s Health Changes Through Different Life Stages
A woman’s healthcare needs naturally change throughout her life.
The questions you have in your twenties may be very different from those you have during pregnancy, after having children, in your forties or approaching menopause.
Hormonal changes can influence everything from menstrual cycles and fertility to mood, sleep, bone health and cardiovascular health.
That is why ongoing conversations with healthcare professionals are important.
Healthcare should evolve with you.
Don’t Ignore Your Heart Health
Heart disease is sometimes mistakenly thought of primarily as a men’s health issue.
Women also need to pay attention to cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity and family history.
Some risk factors can develop without obvious symptoms.
Knowing your blood pressure, understanding your personal risk and discussing preventative healthcare with your doctor can be an important part of taking care of your long-term health.
Make the Appointment You’ve Been Putting Off
Most of us have something we’ve been meaning to get checked.
Maybe it’s a recurring headache.
A period that has changed.
A medication question.
Persistent tiredness.
A rash that keeps returning.
A health screening you’ve been postponing.
Or perhaps you simply haven’t spoken to a doctor in a long time.
Women’s Day can be a good reminder that prioritising your own healthcare isn’t selfish.
It is part of taking care of yourself.
How TruMD Can Help
Finding time to visit a doctor’s consulting room isn’t always easy.
TruMD gives you the option of speaking to a qualified healthcare professional online from wherever you are.
An online consultation may be useful for discussing concerns such as:
- Menstrual or hormonal symptoms
- Contraception questions
- General women’s health concerns
- Medication queries
- Skin conditions
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Headaches
- Digestive concerns
- Mental health symptoms
- Persistent tiredness
- General health advice
Your healthcare professional can assess your symptoms and medical history and advise whether treatment, testing or an in-person examination is required.
This Women’s Day, Choose Yourself Too
South African women have a long history of showing strength, resilience and courage.
But strength doesn’t mean ignoring your own needs.
It doesn’t mean pushing through every symptom.
And it doesn’t mean looking after everyone around you while continually putting yourself last.
This Women’s Day, celebrate yourself by doing something that supports your health.
Book the appointment.
Ask the question.
Follow up on the symptom you’ve been ignoring.
Or simply start a conversation with a healthcare professional about your wellbeing.
Because taking care of your health is one of the most valuable investments you can make in yourself.
Put Your Health First This Women’s Day
Have a health concern you’ve been meaning to discuss?
With TruMD, you can speak to a qualified healthcare professional online, making it easier to get trusted medical advice wherever you are.
This Women’s Day, make your health part of the celebration.
