Happy International Women’s Day 2023!

As 8^th March marks International Women’s Day (IWD) globally – a day to celebrate social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and raise awareness about gender equality and women’s rights worldwide. Juggling different roles in our daily lives as mother, daughter, student, professional, housewife, caretaker can be super challenging – therefore it’s not a surprise as multitasking women, we tend to forget to prioritise our health needs.

A day to recognise and appreciate women’s achievements of all areas, it’s also an opportunity to raise awareness of progressive evolution history of women’s healthcare. There are several progressive healthcare trends that are specifically aimed at improving women’s health and well-being. Here are some examples:

1. Reproductive Health Access

In recent years, the significant advances in reproductive medicine, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), egg freezing, and pre-implantation genetic testing, has been tremendous. These technologies have provided new options for women who are struggling with infertility or who want to delay childbearing for personal or medical reasons.

Particularly, IVF treatment was initially a taboo topic from a century ago until the early 1950s, when Dr. Min Chueh Chang successfully delivered baby rabbits using the IVF process. In 1978, the historic milestone of the first live birth of a human baby conceived through IVF successfully was witnessed, and nowadays IVF has become fully mainstream, changing thousands of families’ lives with remarkable results. IVF is now fully accessible and common for everyone around the world.

2. Breast Cancer Treatment

Over the past few decades, there have been significant advances in the treatment of breast cancer, including the development of targeted therapies and improved surgical techniques.

Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) has become a standard treatment for early-stage breast cancer, which involves removing only the tumour and a small amount of surrounding tissue, while preserving most of the breast. In addition, advances in reconstructive surgery have made it possible for women to undergo breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

These progressive evolutions in breast cancer treatment reflect a growing recognition of the importance of personalized, patient-centred care that takes into account the unique needs of women with breast cancer. These advances have improved outcomes, reduced side effects, and provided new hope for women with breast cancer.

3. Maternal Healthcare

Maternal healthcare has improved significantly over the past century, with the introduction of prenatal care, fetal monitoring, and safe delivery practices. These advances have helped to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and improve the health of mothers and babies.

Under current progressive MOM labour laws, additional post-natal medical leave are granted at ease. The rise of telemedicine and remote monitoring technologies made it easier for women in remote or underserved areas to have complete access to maternal healthcare services.

4. Menopause Management

Back in the 50s-80s, it’s common for women to stop working and focus full time on being a full time housewife and taking care of children. Progressing forward to present, women are placed on the same equal level as men, and the number of women working until retirement age has grown significantly. Despite this, accommodations and understandings for women’s medical conditions have not progressed as much, and conditions such as menopause are trivialized.

Development of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has helped to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. While HRT has its risks and benefits, it has provided many women with relief from the symptoms of menopause to fully function and focus properly on their careers.

5. Mental Health Support

Mental health is a critical component of overall health and well-being, and there is a growing recognition of the importance of mental health support for women. Programs that focus on stress reduction, mindfulness, and other forms of mental health support can help women manage their mental health and improve their overall quality of life.

Growing recognition of the unique mental health needs of women, including those related to reproductive health and trauma, led to the development of specialized treatment programs and interventions. The evolution of mental health for women has been characterized by a growing recognition of the importance of gender-specific approaches to treatment, as well as a commitment to reducing stigma and improving access to care. However, there is still much work to be done to address the ongoing challenges and inequalities faced by women in mental healthcare.

We believe that every women deserves to feel empowered and confident! We should all #EmbraceEquity as we seek out inclusion and call out discrimination. The evolution of women’s healthcare has been characterized by a growing recognition of the unique healthcare needs of women and the importance of providing gender-sensitive healthcare services. Let’s continue advocating for women’s healthcare to ensure that all women have access to the care they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Together, we can achieve women’s empowerment and a brighter future for all. Here’s to all you fierce and fearless ladies out there – Happy International Women’s Day!

DISCLAIMER

All information presented herein serves as a general guideline, and is not intended as dispensing any medical advice(s). User(s) should consult their doctor to seek further clarification for any doubt. It is recommended to refer to this guide with sole discretion, thereby we shall not be held responsible for any part of the information as presented.

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