How a woman’s life stages relate to wellbeing

By: Preferred Global Health

A holistic approach to women's health focuses on all the needs of women in each life stage. It is useful to appreciate the different stages because they give a more detailed consideration of the physical and social aspects surrounding women, their emotional and psychological needs, and mental health.

Looking at the continuum of a woman’s life in stages, helps us acknowledge and appreciate strengths and vulnerabilities, and needs and desires as these are transformed.

Life stages of women are typically distinguished based on hormones and biological cycle as:

·         Infancy

·         Teenagers (adolescence and puberty)

·         Adulthood (sexual maturity, motherhood and/or reproductive age)

·         Mature adulthood and menopause

·         Elderly years

Let’s look at each and their main characteristics in reverse. Worldwide, there is a growing awareness and discussion of topics that before were taboo, stereotyped, or not visible, like menopause and elderly years.

Elderly years:  People in this age group often experience the loss of others they are close to and are aware of a decline in their physical strength and memory. Financial issues as well as social factors such as the need for care or living alone require attention. Above the age of 65, risks of cancer and heart issues are about the same for women but increases with men. Multiple medical conditions may present, alongside changes in sensory organs (hearing, visual), joint and hip problems, risk of falls, urination changes, and nutritional status. Screening for depression and dementia on a regular basis is important. Community, family, and other social support activities and services can help the wellbeing of elderly individuals and their family members or even caregivers.

Menopause (mid-40s to mid-50s, or early menopause): More organizations, alongside women, are focused on educating and speaking out about perimenopause (the time during which the body makes the natural transition to menopause), menopause, and post-menopause.  Menopause officially starts when a female goes more than 12 consecutive months without menstruating. The period leading up to it also consists of hormonal shifts sometimes from day to day. Research shows that 1 in 4 women experience severe debilitating symptoms. Sometimes symptoms can last up to 15 years. Women report that it represents as big an impact on careers as having children. This is growing into campaigns on menopause and workplace support. This period often overlaps with children leaving home, the need to care for elderly parents, changes in relationship as a couple.

In addition to getting support, women should have regular medical checkups in this period. These include breast and cervical cancer screening, assessment of bone health and osteoporosis, and raising awareness on mental health issues like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Motherhood (from first child to about 51 years old): There are many stereotypes and social pressures around motherhood. While sometimes the process of conception and pregnancy is easy, many times it is not. This can cause a lot of stress and cause feelings of isolation or that something is wrong with yourself. Support before and during pregnancy and trying to conceive is essential, from diet and lifestyle to letting go of stress and worry.

Motherhood is also a period that changes depending on what children need (child development stages) and what is happening with family, economic support, and emotional care for others and oneself.  Stages of childhood:

1.       Pre-natal, birth, and the first 3 months

2.       3 months to 3 years

3.       4 years to 8 years

4.       9 years to 12 years

5.       13 years to 18 years

6.       18 years and older

If conceiving children is not possible, in vitro fertilization or adoption are alternatives that can be explored and should be discussed with professionals as can present their own set of challenges, worries and questions. Women who choose not to have children also face social pressures. But motherhood can still be expressed in so many ways, like nurturing and caring for others, volunteering, and being creative. 

Young adult to first child (age 20s until first child): Awareness of gynecological conditions and cervical screening start in early adulthood. This is also the time when it is ideal to start regular breast self-checking During this stage, attention should focus on emerging needs like sexual health services and wellbeing, menstruation related disorders, contraception, pregnancy, fertility, pregnancy loss, and postnatal support.

This is also when career ambition, education, finances, and family are among the highest priorities. So starting good habits like self-care and self-nurturing patterns to improve mental health, balance, and vitality are important.

Teenagers (12-18 years until end of school): Understanding that teenagers are going through several challenges and social pressures growing up – from body image, social pressure, stress, digital and social tech to name a few – can help focus on mental and physical health matters. Developing the habit of eating healthier, supporting healthy body image, and occasional digital detox and developing areas to socialize and connect with others, with one self, and with nature, are helpful in this stage and through life. Early education on reproductive health, and learning about one’s body and stages, and preventing cervical cancer through vaccination is likewise essential

AXA’s range of health and protection products are here to support your wellbeing so you are empowered to keep protecting what matters most. Find out more by visiting AXA’s health products page by clicking here or reaching out to an AXA financial partner.

Preferred Global Health (PGH) is a valued partner of AXA’s Preferred Consultation and Care (PCC) service. The partnership between AXA Philippines and PGH gives eligible AXA policyholders with PCC, who have a diagnosis of cancer or heart disease, access to Harvard-affiliated specialist doctors from home. This helps ensure that they have the correct and complete diagnosis and are informed about the most appropriate treatment plan.