The Woes of Being a Woman

It’s not all bad being a woman…is it? Depending on where in the month you are right now, you might be screaming – ‘Yes, it’s awful!’

But no, it’s not all bad. But it also seems and feels like a rough ride half the time. Below, we’ll talk about some common woes of being a woman.

Women’s Illnesses

Female-specific medical conditions are nothing new. And this one might not technically sound fair – men also have their specific issues that women can’t get. Still, it always seems like the list is longer for women. One is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where testosterone levels rise, causing irregular periods, excessive hair growth, stomach cramps, and difficulties conceiving.

Another condition called endometriosis has a tissue-like lining and the uterus grows outside the womb, leading to severe menstrual pain, infertility issues, etc.

Another is Lichen Sclerosus, which affects around 3% of women in the UK and is often misdiagnosed, delaying the lichen sclerosus treatment. It causes genital rashes, pain, itching, etc.

Emotionally speaking, it drains everything out of you. Physically too. Not to mention societal ignorance towards such matters makes you feel like an alien.

Monthly Menstrual Cycle

Who doesn’t dread their period?

Periods bring about discomfort and inconvenience in many forms. No, every form. It’s not only cramps, either. Bloating, moodiness, fatigue…the list goes on. Each woman has her own experience. Some barely notice anything, while others find themselves bedridden every month like clockwork (literally).

What’s worse is feeling like no one gets what you’re going through because they never will; there’s still so much taboo surrounding menstruation, even though it happens naturally for half the population. What’s worse, not all girls can afford pads or tampons, which leads to period poverty among low-income communities where girls miss school during their cycles. Juggling these problems monthly takes its toll psychologically and professionally.

Hormonal Havoc

Just when we think we are starting to know our bodies better… Along comes menopause! Hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleep disturbances. Blah blah blah – talk about highs and lows!

Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression may also pop up because hormones change again massively, so it is not uncommon for women entering middle age to experience some degree of mental illness.

And – osteoporosis rates rise sharply after the last menstrual period due to oestrogen levels dropping significantly, making bones weaker than usual, which can lead to fractures easily. Sounds lovely to be a woman, doesn’t it? But hey, what do they say about getting old? Most ladies don’t feel prepared enough for menopause and it definitely hits like a ton of bricks. Information tends to remain hidden away, causing uncertainty about how to handle matters.

A woman’s struggle has many sides: physical, emotional, mental, etc. And we’re not saying that men don’t have their issues, but just dealing with the monthly cycle of hormones alone is enough to drive anyway crazy – and it feels like the list could go on forever. Still, through understanding and education, we may create environments that embrace women throughout all stages of life.