Women's Health

The female body has its own life story and its needs change throughout that journey. Our experts provide advice to help you make the right choices at the right time in these women's health articles. We also provide a guide through the stages of a woman's life. 

Pregnancy

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer, affecting almost 55,000 UK women each year. But not everything you hear about breast cancer is true.

Updated: Monday 11 November 2024

Published: Friday 4 September 2015

Breast screening is the most effective way of detecting breast cancer early, yet many women are worried about the process. Here, real women who’ve had mammograms share their tips and experience.

Updated: Friday 8 November 2024

Published: Monday 4 September 2017

Gosia Bowling, Mental Health National Lead at Nuffield Health, discusses five key things you should know to support your partner through the menopause.

Updated: Wednesday 16 October 2024

Published: Monday 28 October 2019

Professional Head of Mammography Sue Oliver and Medical Director Dr Davina Deniszczyc provide a thorough guide to checking your breasts.

Updated: Tuesday 17 September 2024

Published: Friday 19 June 2015

Tracking your period and the duration of your menstrual cycle can give you some valuable insights into your body's natural rhythm and further empower you to take control of your reproductive health.

Updated: Thursday 12 September 2024

Published: Monday 24 July 2023

Struggling to conceive can put a strain on your relationships and your wellbeing. There are many reasons why it may not be happening for you right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a way through it.

Updated: Monday 19 August 2024

Published: Tuesday 25 August 2015

Depending on your needs and history with contraception, starting or changing your method can be a daunting experience. Thankfully, there are plenty of options available today to make safe sex easy.

Updated: Thursday 15 August 2024

Published: Friday 3 May 2024

Pregnancy can be a difficult time both physically and mentally, especially if you’re suffering with back pain or pelvic floor symptoms. Changes to your weight, hormone levels, and your response to pain can also make existing back pain worse in pregnancy.

Updated: Wednesday 7 August 2024

Published: Wednesday 7 August 2024

A cervical smear test is used to assess the health of a woman’s cervix and to help prevent cervical cancer. It's understandable to be nervous about your test or curious about what's involved, especially if you've never had a smear test before.

Updated: Wednesday 31 July 2024

Published: Wednesday 10 July 2024

It is estimated that one in six adults will be affected by urinary incontinence, a pelvic condition that leads to the unintentional loss of urine specifically for those who struggle to control their bladder. Angela Birnie shares her top tips to help women who are experiencing this.

Updated: Monday 29 July 2024

Published: Thursday 30 May 2019

In the very first episode of the Let’s Talk Health podcast, we sat down with two of our Nuffield Health Ambassadors Dame Kelly Holmes and Fara Williams MBE to chat about their decorated careers, the importance of adapting your training over time, overcoming adversity, and the barriers to fitness that women still face today.

Updated: Tuesday 9 July 2024

Published: Tuesday 9 July 2024

Despite what photo editors in glossy magazines may want you to think, most women have cellulite. It is simply fat pushing against the connective tissue under your skin. We may not be able to get rid of cellulite, but we can lessen its appearance. Bodybuilder and Personal Trainer Abby Carpenter tells us how.

Updated: Wednesday 1 May 2024

Published: Tuesday 5 April 2016

Packing a maternity bag full of essentials is an often-overlooked part of giving birth. Make labour a lot more comfortable by ticking bits and pieces off your checklist in the weeks running up to your due date. To help, we’ve put together a list of essentials to make your hospital stay as comfortable as possible.

Updated: Tuesday 9 April 2024

Published: Wednesday 15 November 2023

Sleep is not an ‘option’, it’s something our bodies require to function at our best. Head of Preventative Medicine, Dr Ben Kelly, explains the benefits of quality sleep, what happens if you don’t get enough of it, and how you can improve your sleep.

Updated: Friday 1 March 2024

Published: Monday 5 June 2017

Pelvic floor training has changed a lot in recent years. With so many devices available, claims about building pelvic floor strength and curing incontinence are commonplace. Confused? Unsure where to start with pelvic floor muscle training? You’re not alone.

Updated: Tuesday 23 January 2024

Published: Thursday 24 August 2023

Heart disease is commonly thought to be a men’s health problem. But this is your issue too. Here's eight simple steps to help women protect themselves.

Updated: Tuesday 2 January 2024

Published: Tuesday 15 September 2015

When your period starts, a certain level of discomfort and pain is to be expected. This includes cramps, headaches and a dull ache in the back and stomach. For some women however, the pain gets so severe that it prevents them living a normal life. This is not to be ignored, as it could be a sign of something more serious.

Updated: Friday 27 October 2023

Published: Wednesday 16 August 2023

A girl getting her first period can be a distressing and confusing time. When the menstrual cycle begins, emotions can be difficult to process, and physical symptoms can make it harder for them to maintain healthy activity levels throughout adolescence. All of this can have a negative impact on how young girls view and participate in sport both in and outside school.

Updated: Wednesday 11 October 2023

Published: Wednesday 11 October 2023

Conversations about menopause should be a normal part of working life. Working during the menopause can make a difficult time even more stressful, so it’s important we all better understand the common challenges that can arise in the workplace during this time.

Updated: Tuesday 5 September 2023

Published: Friday 15 October 2021

We all know the benefits of relaxation and that we should be doing it more, but a lot of us don’t really know how. Making a conscious effort to relax might sound counterintuitive, but learning how to deliberately unwind can have a tangible positive impact on our long-term health and wellbeing.

Updated: Friday 25 August 2023

Published: Thursday 11 May 2017