Women's Health

Overview

Understanding women’s health

Women’s health includes puberty, periods, contraception, fertility, pregnancy, maternity care, miscarriage, menopause, pelvic pain, gynaecological conditions, screening, breast health, sexual health and mental wellbeing. The renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England includes contraception, fertility, pregnancy loss, preconception care and postnatal support as major priorities.

Pregnancy

Contact your GP, midwife or local maternity service as soon as you know you are pregnant. Maternity care usually includes booking appointment, scans, blood tests, screening, mental health checks, birth planning, postnatal care and health visitor support.

Ask for:

• named midwife or team contact details
• maternity notes access
• birth choices and risks explained clearly
• interpreter or accessibility support
• mental health support if needed
• safeguarding or domestic abuse support if relevant
• written plan for high-risk pregnancy

Maternity care

You should be involved in decisions about antenatal care, place of birth, induction, caesarean birth, pain relief, examinations, assisted birth, feeding and postnatal care. Consent matters: you should receive clear information about benefits, risks, alternatives and what may happen if you decline.

Parents can ask for:

• personalised care and support plan
• continuity of carer information
• birth plan
• reasonable adjustments
• perinatal mental health support
• infant feeding support
• postnatal check
• review if birth was traumatic

Fertility

Fertility support may include GP assessment, blood tests, semen analysis, ultrasound, lifestyle advice, ovulation tracking, referral to fertility services or IVF assessment. NHS fertility access varies by local area and eligibility criteria.

Keep evidence of:

• how long you have been trying to conceive
• menstrual cycle records
• pregnancy losses
• test results
• previous diagnoses such as PCOS or endometriosis
• partner test results where relevant

Miscarriage and pregnancy loss

Miscarriage can be physically and emotionally distressing. NHS support may include early pregnancy assessment units, ultrasound, blood tests, expectant management, medication, surgery, bereavement care and mental health support.

Seek urgent help for:

• heavy bleeding
• severe pain
• fever
• dizziness or fainting
• shoulder-tip pain
• feeling very unwell
• thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Ask for written information, follow-up, pain relief, work/school support and emotional support.

Menopause

Menopause and perimenopause can cause hot flushes, night sweats, irregular periods, mood changes, anxiety, sleep problems, brain fog, joint pain, vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms and reduced libido.

Ask your GP about:

• diagnosis based on symptoms
• HRT risks and benefits
• non-hormonal options
• contraception during perimenopause
• vaginal oestrogen
• bone health
• workplace adjustments
• mental health support

Cervical screening

Cervical screening checks the health of the cervix and helps prevent cervical cancer. NHS guidance says women aged 25 to 64 are invited every 5 years, and everyone with a cervix should be offered screening.

You can ask for:

• longer appointment
• female sample taker where available
• smaller speculum
• trauma-informed approach
• interpreter
• accessible clinic
• support if you are anxious, disabled, autistic or have pain

Breast screening

Breast screening aims to find breast cancer early. Also contact your GP urgently if you notice a lump, nipple changes, skin dimpling, discharge, breast pain that does not settle, swelling, or changes in breast shape.

Ask for accessible mammography support if you have mobility, pain, learning disability, autism, anxiety, sensory needs or communication needs.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis can cause pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during or after sex, pain passing urine or opening bowels, heavy bleeding, fatigue, nausea and fertility problems.

Ask your GP for:

• symptom review
• pain management
• pelvic ultrasound if appropriate
• gynaecology referral
• fertility discussion
• school/work support
• urgent review if pain is severe or worsening

Do not let severe period pain be dismissed as “normal” if it affects daily life.

PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome can involve irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, weight changes, insulin resistance, fertility difficulties and mood symptoms.

Support may include:

• blood tests
• ultrasound where appropriate
• lifestyle support
• contraception or hormone treatment
• fertility support
• diabetes and cholesterol checks
• mental health support

Contraception

Contraception options include condoms, contraceptive pill, patch, vaginal ring, injection, implant, IUD, IUS, emergency contraception and sterilisation. You can access contraception through GP practices, sexual health clinics and some pharmacies.

Ask for:

• method comparison
• side effects
• suitability with migraines, blood pressure, smoking, medicines or health conditions
• emergency contraception advice
• STI testing
• confidential support if under 16 or worried about safety

Children, teenagers and parents

Young people may need support with periods, pain, heavy bleeding, contraception, sexual health, pregnancy, safeguarding, body image, eating difficulties, anxiety, gender-related concerns and consent.

Parents and carers can support by:

• taking symptoms seriously
• keeping period or pain diaries
• asking for school adjustments
• requesting GP review for heavy, painful or irregular periods
• seeking urgent help for pregnancy concerns, abuse, self-harm or unsafe relationships
• asking for confidential youth-friendly services where appropriate

Legal rights

You have rights to:

• dignity and respect
• safe care
• informed consent
• privacy and confidentiality
• access to records
• involvement in decisions
• reasonable adjustments
• complaints and investigation

The NHS Constitution sets out core patient rights in England. The Equality Act 2010 protects disabled people and requires reasonable adjustments. The Accessible Information Standard requires NHS and publicly funded adult social care services to meet communication needs.

Evidence standards and accountability

Keep:

• symptom diary
• period tracker
• pain scores
• bleeding pattern
• pregnancy test dates
• scan and blood test results
• medication and side effects
• appointment letters
• referral dates
• school/work impact
• photos where relevant
• names of professionals spoken to

Ask for:

• diagnosis or working diagnosis
• treatment plan
• referral confirmation
• test result explanation
• safety-netting advice
• reasonable adjustments in writing
• follow-up date

If concerns are not resolved, contact the service manager, GP practice manager, hospital PALS, formal NHS complaints team, or the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

Official links

• NHS women’s health: https://www.nhs.uk/womens-health/
• NHS pregnancy: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/
• NHS fertility: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/
• NHS miscarriage: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/miscarriage/
• NHS menopause: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/
• NHS cervical screening: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/
• NHS breast screening: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-screening-mammogram/
• NHS endometriosis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/
• NHS PCOS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/
• NHS contraception: https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/
• NHS complaints: https://www.nhs.uk/contact-us/how-to-complain-to-the-nhs/
• NHS Constitution: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england

Best rule: trust symptoms, ask early, request explanations and consent discussions, keep evidence, request reasonable adjustments, and escalate if pain, bleeding, pregnancy concerns or safety risks are not taken seriously.