In this guide, we explore the main threats to women’s health and identify ways women can live healthier.

Female health risks vary depending on the life stage a woman is at. The biggest threats to a woman’s health are often preventable, so making healthy lifestyle choices can go a long way toward preventing illness.

Women must take charge of their health and their healthcare, at all life stages. They must educate themselves on health issues, pay attention to their bodies,  and speak with their doctors regularly.

Women's life stages are based on the reproductive cycle, beginning with menstruation and ending with menopause.

Different health issues may be more relevant to women’s lives depending on their life stage. Physical and social circumstances at each stage influence both physical and mental health, and the ability to maintain health.

• During puberty, the series of changes young women undergo are often accompanied by emotional turmoil.
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• Mental health issues are a concern at this life stage, with young women experiencing high psychological distress at almost twice the rate of young men. Self-awareness regarding body image can lead some young women into risky health behaviours, for example eating disorders.
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• It is important for young women to visit their doctor regularly and practice good health habits, as the choices they make in their early years will impact on their future health.

• For women in their reproductive years, family planning, pregnancy, and child birth are prominent health issues.
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• At this stage in life women should educate themselves on risks associated with sexual activity, and protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Balancing work and family commitments can have a significant impact on women’s physical and mental health, particularly since women still take on a higher proportion of caring responsibilities.
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• During the reproductive years women should make record of their family health history and continue to develop good health habits.

• In middle-aged women, symptoms of menopause and other life stage factors can affect mental and physical health.
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• Prevalent health issues at this life stage, include anxiety and depression, musculoskeletal diseases and breast cancer. Mid-life is a time when increasing pressure of juggling work, family and aging parents can take a toll on health. 
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• It is vital that middle-aged women learn to take time to themselves, and develop coping skills for dealing with life’s ups and downs.

• Women in older years still lead vital, active lives, but now they need to monitor their health even closer.
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• Older women are more likely than older men to be widowed, live alone or in residential care, suffer from more chronic illness and have higher rates of disability. Women in this stage must visit their doctor regularly and have all recommended health screenings. When diagnosed early many illnesses are treatable.
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• It is now that the adherence to a healthy lifestyle in earlier life stages will pay dividends. Remember healthy lifestyle choices will help a woman feel her best at every stage in life.

Heart or cardiovascular disease refers to conditions related to the process of atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. This build up narrows the arteries, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood, and potentially stopping blood flow if a clot forms.

Blocked blood vessels can lead to chest pain,  heart attack or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect the heart's muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease.

8.6 million women worldwide die from heart disease each year. Of those who have heart attacks, 42% die within a year. When a woman under 50 has a heart attack, it's twice as likely to be fatal as a heart attack in a man under 50.

While many women may be unaware that they suffer from heart disease until a health incident occurs, there are red flags they should be aware of to better detect heart problems during the earliest and most treatable phases.

Women are more vulnerable than men to lung damage putting them at increased risk of illness from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including bronchitis and emphysema.

COPD manifests differently in women than men, resulting in more women dying each year from the disease.

Osteoporosis is a condition characterised by a decrease in the density of bone, decreasing its strength and resulting in fragile bones. 

It affects more women than men, as women have smaller, thinner bones than men. Oestrogen decreases when women reach menopause, which can cause bone loss, so the chance of developing osteoporosis increases as women reach menopause.

Despite this women can help prevent osteoporosis through diet and lifestyle. The behaviours that women develop in early life play a significant role in the development of the disease.

Early detection of the main cancers affecting women is crucial for successful treatment and recovery. Regular screening can assist early detection, increasing the likelihood of a positive outcome.

It is vital that women make themselves aware of the symptoms of common  female cancers and understand the risk factors.

Talk with your doctor about your risk and how you can help prevent breast cancer with appropriate screening.

Regular mammograms are crucial, but as mammograms do not find every breast cancer, it is important for women to be aware of changes in their breasts and to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women, killing more women each year than breast cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer combined.

While lung cancer diagnoses have been decreasing for men, they are staying relatively stable for women.

Women are more prone than men to experience anxiety and depression, at any age. Although the reasons why women experience higher levels of depression are unknown, many experts believe the pressures of balancing work and family responsibilities, including children as well as aging parents, may lead to added mental health burdens.

Although death by suicide is higher for men, attempted suicide rates are higher for women

Helping educate women to mental health issues, and giving them the confidence to seek assistance and speak to their doctor, is vital.

• Persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness
• Becoming socially withdrawn
• Suffering a recent life crisis
• Personality changes
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Frequent thoughts about death
• Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Extremely high and low moods
• Decreased energy or fatigue
• Excessive fear or worry
• Thoughts of suicide

You can’t just ‘get over’ depression, it is disease which can be conquered by reaching out for some help.

• Talk to your doctor
• Talk to family and friends
• Exercise, eat well and get plenty of sleep
• Don’t ignore stress – it may be hard to avoid, but it can be dealt with
• Know your limits – it is ok to ask for help
• Don’t self-medicate – don’t turn to alcohol, tobacco or drugs

Regardless of the life stage a woman is at, prevention is key to attaining and maintaining good health. Women must take time to look after themselves and be aware of lifestyle adjustments that have significant positive impacts on overall health, reduce health risk, warn about potential problems and increase longevity.

Small steps can keep women on a healthier path:
 

Making time for physical activity is very important for overall health. Maintaining a physically active lifestyle and a healthy weight reduces the risk associated with many physical and mental illnesses including, heart disease, diabetes and depression.

Aim to be active for at least 30 minutes every day with these practical tips:

• Try cycling, jogging or walking part of the journey to work
• Always take the stairs or walk up the escalator
• Get active at lunchtime – try walking or jogging with a colleague
• Allocate some time every evening for exercise – it’s good for body and mind

A healthy balanced diet is essential for overall health.  A main meal should consist of three-quarters vegetables, beans or grains and one-quarter meat, fish or protein, try to choose water over other beverages.

Reduce salt intake and try to avoid too many sugar rich and processed foods.

Most fruit and veg contains necessary nutrients, is low in calories and is high in fibre, ideal for maintaining or attaining a healthy weight. Aim to eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg per day with these practical tips:

• Add bananas or berries to breakfast cereal
• Cook more meals from scratch
• Blend vegetables and beans to make soups and sauces
• Keep a well-stocked and easily accessible fruit bowl

A glass of wine with dinner or a pint of beer after work can become a normal part of day-to-day life.

As well as contributing to unhealthy weight gain, alcohol has been linked to several chronic diseases, including some cancers.

It’s ok to have an occasional drink, but aim to drink in moderation with these practical tips:

• Drink slowly – enjoy your drink and avoid downing it too quickly
• Drink smaller measures
• Finish a drink before topping up – helps keep track of quantity consumed
• Dilute drinks – add tonic water to spirits or lemonade to lager
• Drink a glass of water between alcoholic drinks

Not dealing with stress from work, family, relationships or finances can cause or worsen physical conditions. Women must equip themselves with healthy strategies for coping with life's ups and downs.

• Get adequate sleep every night
• Practice mindfulness
• Practice controlled breathing
• Always ask for help when needed
• Talk to your doctor or someone you trust if you find stress overwhelming

Don't feel overwhelmed by women's health risks. Instead, do what you can to ensure you lead a healthy lifestyle. Simple preventive measures can go a long way toward reducing your health risks.

Education on health risks, helping women adopt healthy lifestyles early on and access to quality healthcare are key to a long and healthy life.

It is important that women attend regular routine check-ups with their doctor, let the doctor know if they are experiencing any changes (no matter how insignificant) and speak with the doctor about preventative tests.