We often shy away from prioritising our health and wellbeing – whether that’s because we’re too embarrassed to talk about certain things or we’re too busy juggling work, childcare, relationships, domestic chores and an attempt to have a social life. Often, hobbies and health are put on the back burner. Many of us also come from a long line of parents or caregivers who didn’t feel comfortable talking about bodies or sex, let alone mental health. That’s why we’ve decided to go back to basics and start at the very beginning! Once you’ve explored the female anatomy and found out exactly what happened to your body during puberty, we’re going to take you on a journey that delves into a whole range of women’s health issues. Understand the role of essential hormones; discover the importance of fitness and nutrition; and become more in tune with your mental health. We explain everything you need to know about menstrual cycles, ovulation and pregnancy, and look in-depth at sexual health and intimacy. We examine common health conditions, from diabetes and arthritis to endometriosis and fibroids, as well as gynaecological cancers and breast health. Discover how to look after your bowel and bladder, and what to expect in later life, including menopause and taking care of your bones, joints and heart. We also consider common procedures, essential screenings and inclusive healthcare. Being a woman isn’t always easy, and some things are out of our control, but knowledge is power, so get to know yourself better today!
WELCOME
WELCOME TO YOUR HEALTHY WOMAN’S HANDBOOK • Within these pages you will hopefully find all you need to know about your health and wellbeing
WHEN TO SPEAK TO A DOCTOR • If you’re worried about something to do with your health, seek medical advice
THE FEMALE ANATOMY • Let’s go back to basics! We explore female-specific body parts, both inside and out
EARLY & DELAYED PUBERTY • Sometimes young girls experience puberty outside the normal age range
WHAT HAPPENS DURING PUBERTY? • The physical and psychological leaps that come with puberty and adolescence are pivotal to our body and health in adulthood
ACNE IN PUBERTY & BEYOND • Many people experience problems with their skin during the adolescent years
FINISHING PUBERTY • While it might not feel like it at the time, puberty does come to an end
A GUIDE TO ESSENTIAL HORMONES • Your hormones play an important role throughout your life; let’s take a look at the ones that have the most impact
SIGNS OF HORMONAL IMBALANCE • Symptoms can vary, but there are signs you shouldn’t ignore
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM • Key hormones are produced throughout your body – this diagram shows the primary locations
THYROID PROBLEMS • Around one in eight women will develop a problem with their thyroid over their lifetime1
WHAT IS GOOD HEALTH? • We always talk about being ‘fit and healthy’, but what does that mean and how does it make us feel?
GOOD MENTAL HEALTH • Your mental wellbeing is just as important as your physical
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE • Here are the top 10 components of living a healthy life
SOCIAL HEALTH • Good health doesn’t just relate to your mind and body; social wellness is important to your wellbeing
HEALTH CONDITIONS • Ten common health conditions that can impact women of all ages
MOTIVATION VS CONSISTENCY • You can’t rely on feeling motivated all the time to get moving
FITNESS & EXERCISE • Engaging in regular physical activity can help you feel fitter and stronger throughout your entire life
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES • How much exercise should you be doing each week?
ADAPTING AROUND HEALTH CONDITIONS • It can be more difficult to exercise if you have underlying...