Women's Health and wellbeing: A vital and often overlooked aspect of well-being.
Women’s health is an essential component of overall well-being that is often brushed under the carpet. Despite growing awareness in recent years, many of the issues that women face throughout their lives—from puberty to menopause—are still not discussed openly or adequately addressed in mainstream healthcare. This lack of attention not only affects the quality of life for women but also perpetuates stigma and misunderstanding surrounding various conditions that specifically impact them. In this blog post, I will explore the significant aspects of women’s health, including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, postpartum depression, hormonal issues, miscarriage, infertility, and endometriosis. Furthermore, I will discuss alternative therapeutic modalities such as hypnotherapy, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Breathwork, Bach flower remedies, and Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT) that can provide vital support to women as they navigate these challenges.
The vital importance of women's health
Women’s health is a multifaceted and complex topic that encompasses not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. Hormonal fluctuations, life stages, and societal pressures make women's health unique. However, these factors are often underrepresented in medical research, and many healthcare professionals still fail to offer women a holistic approach to their health. The consequences of this neglect are far-reaching, leading to a lack of treatment for many conditions that directly affect women and exacerbating feelings of isolation, shame, and confusion.
In this blog post,I will shed light on the most common issues that impact women’s health and discuss how alternative therapies can provide support in overcoming these challenges.
Puberty: The beginning of hormonal changes
Puberty marks the beginning of the many hormonal changes that women experience throughout their lives. For many girls, puberty is a time of confusion and discomfort, often coupled with a lack of education and guidance about the physical and emotional changes they are undergoing. While menstruation, breast development, and increased body hair are common changes, puberty can also trigger a range of emotional experiences, from mood swings to anxiety and depression.
Hormonal changes during puberty can also lead to the development of menstrual-related disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. However, these issues are often underdiagnosed or dismissed as “normal” parts of growing up, which may prevent girls from seeking treatment or receiving the care they need.
Pregnancy: A time of physical and emotional transformation
Pregnancy is one of the most significant life events that can affect a woman’s physical and emotional health. While it is often viewed as a joyous occasion, pregnancy can bring about a wide range of physical and emotional changes, some of which can be overwhelming or even dangerous. For instance, many women experience severe morning sickness, fatigue, swollen feet, and other physical discomforts, while others may suffer from mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is another condition that can significantly impact a woman's well-being after childbirth. PPD affects up to 1 in 7 women, yet it is often misunderstood and stigmatised. Women suffering from PPD may feel isolated, hopeless, and disconnected from their babies, and they often face judgment for not “enjoying” motherhood as society expects.
While traditional medical treatments like antidepressants are often recommended for PPD, alternative therapies such as hypnotherapy, EFT, and Bach flower remedies can provide much-needed emotional support and healing. Hypnotherapy, in particular, can help women manage anxiety, reduce stress, and promote emotional well-being, which can be crucial during pregnancy and postpartum.
Menopause: A new phase of life
Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs when a woman’s menstrual cycle ends, typically around the age of 50, yet can be as early as mid 30’s. While menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years, it also brings about a host of physical and emotional changes. Hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings are common symptoms of menopause, and these can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life.
Despite the fact that menopause is a universal experience for women, there is still a significant stigma surrounding it. Many women feel ashamed or embarrassed about the symptoms they experience, leading to a lack of open conversation and support. Additionally, women often struggle to find adequate healthcare options to address their symptoms, as menopause is still frequently misunderstood in medical circles.
Therapies such as Breathwork, IEMT, and EFT can be especially helpful during this stage. Breathwork can help women manage stress and anxiety during menopause, while IEMT can help reprogram negative thought patterns and emotional trauma that may have been exacerbated by this transitional phase. Both therapies can complement traditional treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and improve a woman’s overall well-being during menopause.
Hormonal issues and disorders
Hormonal imbalances are a common and often overlooked issue in women’s health. Hormones regulate many of the body’s functions, from mood to metabolism to fertility. When hormones become imbalanced, women can experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, such as weight gain, irritability, fatigue, and irregular periods. Conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, and thyroid disorders can cause significant hormonal disruptions and lead to infertility, chronic pain, and other health complications.
Endometriosis, for example, is a painful condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, often causing severe pain, heavy bleeding, and infertility. Yet, it is often misdiagnosed or dismissed as just “bad periods,” leaving many women to suffer in silence for years.
Hypnotherapy has shown promise as a complementary treatment for hormonal issues, including pain management and stress reduction. By helping women manage their stress and relax their bodies, hypnotherapy can reduce the severity of hormonal symptoms and improve overall health. Additionally, EFT can help women release emotional trauma and tension associated with hormonal issues and provide a sense of balance and calm.
Miscarriage and infertility: unspoken struggles
Miscarriage and infertility are two of the most emotionally challenging experiences a woman can go through. The loss of a pregnancy or the inability to conceive can lead to deep feelings of grief, shame, and frustration. Despite the prevalence of miscarriage (which occurs in 1 in 4 pregnancies) and infertility, these issues are often not openly discussed, leaving women to feel isolated in their struggles.
In many cases, traditional medical treatments for infertility, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), can be physically, financially and emotionally taxing. Women may also experience anxiety or depression related to the uncertainty of their reproductive future. Alternative therapies like Bach flower remedies, which are used to address emotional imbalances, and hypnotherapy, which can help women cope with the emotional stress of infertility, can be valuable adjuncts to medical treatments.
Supporting women's health with alternative therapies
While traditional medicine plays a vital role in addressing many of the physical aspects of women’s health, alternative therapies can provide invaluable support for emotional and mental well-being. Let’s take a closer look at some of the alternative modalities that can help women manage the physical, emotional, and mental challenges they face:
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that uses guided relaxation and focused attention to bring about a heightened state of awareness. In this state, a person is more open to suggestions, which can help reprogram the subconscious mind to promote healing and well-being. For women, hypnotherapy can be used to address a wide range of issues, from managing pain associated with menstrual disorders to reducing anxiety during pregnancy and menopause. It is also effective in addressing postpartum depression and supporting women through emotional struggles related to miscarriage and infertility.
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
EFT, or tapping, is an energy psychology technique that combines cognitive therapy with acupressure. By tapping on specific points of the body while focusing on emotional issues, EFT can help release trapped emotions and restore balance to the body’s energy systems. For women dealing with hormonal imbalances, emotional trauma, or chronic stress, EFT can be a powerful tool for emotional healing and symptom relief.
Breathwork
Breathwork is a practice that involves conscious control of breathing patterns to improve physical, emotional, and mental health. Deep, slow breathing can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve focus. For women going through hormonal fluctuations or emotional struggles related to pregnancy, menopause, or infertility, Breathwork can be an effective way to calm the nervous system and promote relaxation.
Bach Flower Remedies
Bach flower remedies are a system of 38 flower essences that are used to address emotional imbalances. These remedies can help women cope with feelings of stress, sadness, fear, or anxiety that often accompany hormonal changes, pregnancy, or infertility. By supporting emotional well-being, Bach flower remedies can complement other therapies and enhance overall health.
Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT)
IEMT is a therapeutic technique that helps to process and release emotional trauma through eye movements. This technique can be particularly helpful for women who have experienced emotional distress related to miscarriage, infertility, or past trauma. IEMT helps to reduce emotional charges and reframe negative experiences, promoting healing and emotional balance.
Conclusion: prioritising women's health
Women's health is an essential and often overlooked aspect of overall well-being. Puberty, pregnancy, menopause, hormonal imbalances, and emotional challenges like postpartum depression, miscarriage, and infertility all have a profound impact on women's lives. Despite this, these issues are frequently dismissed or misunderstood, leading to inadequate care and support or work support.
By opening up conversations around these topics and integrating alternative therapies like hypnotherapy, EFT, Breathwork, Bach flower remedies, and IEMT, I can help women regain control of their health and emotional well-being. These therapies can complement traditional medical treatments and provide a holistic approach to healing, empowering women to live healthy, balanced lives.
It is time for women’s health to be recognised as an essential aspect of well-being, not a side note in the conversation about overall health. By supporting women through their physical, emotional, and mental challenges, I can ensure that they thrive, not just survive, in every stage of life.
Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma, bereavement or looking to break habits, reframe fears, or phobias. Phiona can help you develop approaches to overcome these barriers that prevent you from living life to the fullest. Helping you navigate life’s challenges and take the next step towards a brighter, calmer future.
If you feel you would like support, and you feel therapy may be the answer. I offer 15 minute complimentary consultations, for you to have the chance to discover how therapy might support you. Visit my website for more information.
Mindful Moments Therapies Website
Or email
mindfulmomentstherapies@gmail.com
You can also follow my socials
@mindfulmomentstherapies
On
You can now read and subscribe to my monthly newsletter with the link below. For tips, support, suggestions and offers. Helping you to bring balance to your mind and wellbeing.
Did you know you can now download selected MP3 hypnosis downloads from the website. If there isn’t one there for you let me know and I can add it to my list to record.
And lastly did you know I run monthly workshops online. Take a look at the workshops available and book your space from the website.
Have a great week.
Phiona.
Comments
Post a Comment