Women’s Health Literacy: Why Being Heard Matters

Women’s health is often discussed—but it is not always fully understood.

Many women grow up believing that discomfort is something they simply have to tolerate. Painful periods, persistent exhaustion, disrupted sleep, mood changes and feeling unlike themselves are frequently accepted as a normal part of being a woman.

When concerns are raised, they may be dismissed as stress, ageing or “just hormones.”

But hormones should never be used as a dismissal.

They are one part of a much bigger picture—and symptoms are the body’s way of communicating that something may need attention.

The cost of not being heard

Women often carry many responsibilities at once. Between work, family life, caregiving and the countless demands of everyday life, their own well-being can quietly move to the bottom of the list.

Symptoms may be minimised because there is no time to investigate them, because they have gradually become familiar or because previous attempts to seek help have left the woman feeling unheard.

When women’s health concerns are overlooked or normalised, they can be left carrying:

• Unanswered questions
• Delayed support
• Unnecessary discomfort
• Confusion about what is happening in their bodies
• Self-doubt about whether their symptoms are “serious enough”
• A growing sense that feeling unwell is simply something they must accept

This is not a failure of resilience.

It is a failure of conversation, access and understanding.

What is women’s health literacy?

According to the World Health Organization, health literacy is the ability to access, understand, evaluate and use health information and services in ways that support health and well-being.

For women, this can include understanding the menstrual cycle, recognising changes in the body, knowing which symptoms deserve attention and feeling confident enough to ask questions during a healthcare appointment.

Health literacy does not mean diagnosing yourself or trying to manage a medical condition without professional guidance.

It means knowing your body well enough to notice when something has changed—and having the language and confidence to communicate those changes.

It can be as simple as understanding:

• What is typical for your menstrual cycle
• How your energy and mood change throughout the month
• Which symptoms may accompany perimenopause or menopause
• When pain or bleeding may need further investigation
• How sleep, stress, nutrition and medication may influence well-being
• When to ask for professional support

Information cannot replace personalised medical care, but it can help women participate more confidently in decisions about their health.

Understanding hormonal changes

Hormones are chemical messengers that help regulate many processes in the body, including the menstrual cycle, sleep, mood, appetite, energy, reproduction and stress responses.

Hormone levels naturally shift throughout a woman’s life. These changes may happen during:

• Puberty
• Different phases of the menstrual cycle
• Pregnancy
• The postpartum period
• Perimenopause
• Menopause
• Times of prolonged stress, nervous system strain or disrupted sleep

These transitions are not flaws in the body. They are part of the body’s changing needs across different life stages.

However, “hormonal” does not automatically mean “normal,” and it does not mean that a symptom should be ignored. Hormonal and endocrine conditions can also require proper assessment and treatment.

Symptoms such as ongoing fatigue, significant cycle changes, persistent pelvic pain, severe mood changes or prolonged sleep disruption deserve thoughtful investigation—especially when they interfere with daily life.

The goal is not to blame hormones for every concern. It is to understand their role without allowing them to become the end of the conversation.

For a deeper look at hormonal well-being across different stages of life, read our Natural Hormone Support Guide.

You can also learn more about progesterone and its role in women’s hormonal health.

The connection between stress, sleep and hormonal well-being

Women’s health cannot always be separated into neat categories. Hormonal health, sleep, emotional well-being and the nervous system can influence one another.

Periods of sustained stress may affect sleep, appetite, energy, emotional resilience and the way the body experiences different stages of the menstrual cycle.

At the same time, hormonal transitions such as perimenopause may contribute to sleep disruption, temperature changes, mood fluctuations and feeling less able to cope with everyday demands.

This does not mean that every symptom is caused by stress or hormones. It means that the body should be considered as a connected whole rather than as a collection of isolated symptoms.

Explore this relationship further in Your Nervous System Is Tired Before You Are.

Symptoms are information

A symptom does not always point to one clear cause. Similar symptoms can be connected to many different factors, which is why professional assessment is important.

What matters is recognising that persistent symptoms are worth discussing.

A helpful place to begin is by observing patterns. You may want to record:

• When the symptom started
• How often it happens
• Whether it changes during your menstrual cycle
• What makes it better or worse
• Any changes in sleep, appetite, mood or energy
• Medication or supplements you are using
• How the symptom affects everyday activities

Keeping a simple symptom or cycle diary can make patterns easier to recognise and give a healthcare professional clearer information to work with.

You do not need to arrive at an appointment with an answer. You only need to describe what you are experiencing as honestly and specifically as possible.

Asking better questions

Healthcare appointments can feel rushed or overwhelming, particularly when you are already tired, uncomfortable or anxious.

Preparing a few questions beforehand may help you leave with a clearer understanding of the next steps.

You could ask:

• What could be contributing to these symptoms?
• Are there other possible causes that should be considered?
• Would any tests or further assessments be appropriate?
• What changes should I monitor?
• What treatment or support options are available?
• When should I return for a follow-up?
• Which symptoms would require more urgent attention?

If you do not understand an explanation, it is completely reasonable to ask for it to be repeated in simpler language.

Seeking a second professional opinion may also be appropriate when symptoms continue, significantly affect your quality of life or remain unexplored.

Being informed is not being difficult.

Asking questions is not an overreaction.

Wanting to understand your body is a necessary part of caring for it.

Better conversations begin with listening

Women deserve:

• To be taken seriously
• To have symptoms explored rather than dismissed
• To understand what may be happening in their bodies
• To receive clear and respectful information
• To participate in decisions about their health
• To seek support without embarrassment or shame

Good healthcare is not only about tests, diagnoses and treatments. It is also about communication.

Women should feel safe enough to speak honestly and supported enough to keep asking questions when something does not feel right.

Women’s Month and the right to be heard

Every August, South Africa observes National Women’s Month, with National Women’s Day commemorated on 9 August.

It is a time to honour the courage, strength and contributions of women. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the ways women can be better supported—in their homes, communities, workplaces and healthcare experiences.

Empowerment begins with access to trustworthy information.

It grows when women are listened to.

And it becomes meaningful when women feel confident advocating for their health and well-being.

Women do not need to become tougher or learn to tolerate more.

They need better information, better listening and better care.

Because every woman deserves to understand her body—and every woman deserves to be heard.

Continue exploring women’s wellness

Discover educational resources and gentle botanical rituals created for the changing seasons of womanhood in our Women’s Wellness collection.

This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional about new, severe, persistent or worsening symptoms.