Women’s health
This year we’re celebrating Women’s Health Week (7–11 September) by exploring some of the key topics in women’s health.
Eating well
Having a balanced diet is extremely important for our health. As a woman, you’ll have special nutritional needs depending on your stage of life.
Resources
- Monash Nutrition Clinic
Book a consultation with an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD). You can get advice on general healthy eating and a range of other nutritional issues, such as weight loss, diabetes and pregnancy and breastfeeding. - Better Health Channel – Monitoring your mood
Find out what types of food can help lift your mood, what foods to avoid, how you can prepare healthy meals for yourself each day, how to get better rest, and activities and exercise you can do to improve your mood.
Self-care
Self-care is anything we do to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Although it's a simple concept in theory, it's something we often overlook. Self-care can also improve our mood and reduce anxiety, so it’s always a good idea to take some time for yourself.
There are lots of things you can do, including:
- check out the Monash Mindfulness programs and resources
- practise meditation.
Women’s health through the decades
As women, our health needs change over time. The decisions you make in your 20s can shape your health in the future. As you grow older, you might start noticing changes to your body. You might need to visit your GP more often for regular blood and screening tests and annual health, including hearing and eye checks. Just remember, it’s never too late to start looking after your health.
To find out more about how your health needs change over time, take a look at the health decades checklist. You might also like to check out Healthdirect’s Women’s health A – Z.
Sexual and reproductive health
Good sexual and reproductive health is important for our general health and wellbeing. It’s central to our ability to make choices and decisions about our lives, including decisions about having children.
Resources
- Better Health Channel – Women’s sexual and reproductive health
Find information on fertility, contraception, pregnancy, sexually transmittable infections (STIs), endometriosis, menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome and abortion. - Better Health Channel – Helplines and services
Find out where you can get help and support. - Better Health Channel – Myths and facts about menopause
- Jean Hailes – Fertility & pregnancy
- Family Planning Victoria – Your contraceptive choices
A healthy mind
Our mental health can change during our lifetime. The key to staying well is finding a balance that works for you. Women are known for putting others first and can experience some mental health conditions at higher rates than men.
Resources
- Beyond Blue
Find information on getting the right support for you, caring for and supporting others, pregnancy and becoming a mum. - Head to Health
Learn more about how you can improve your mental health and wellbeing, and what others can do to help. - Better Health Channel – Mental health services
Find out where you can get expert mental health advice, and information on diagnosing, treating and living with a mental illness.
Book an appointment
Because we recognise the importance of women’s health, we provide a full range of services at our campuses, including sexual health consultations, contraception advice, pregnancy planning and care, cervical screening, and Gardasil vaccinations. You can book an appointment with a doctor or nurse, or arrange a counselling consultation.