Women's health

Menstrual health, intimate health, anaemia and care through pregnancy and menopause.

A woman's health moves in cycles, monthly and across a lifetime. Hormonal shifts affect energy, mood, skin, bones and the intimate tract. Many concerns, from irregular cycles to discharge and discomfort, are common and very treatable, yet are often left unspoken.

The menstrual cycle is orchestrated by hormones from the brain and ovaries. The vaginal environment is protected by beneficial lactobacilli that keep it mildly acidic. Ayurveda has a dedicated tradition of herbs for women, prasuti tantra and stri roga, built around nourishing and toning the reproductive tissues.

What strains it

Stress and irregular sleep, which disturb hormonal rhythm
Anaemia, which is very common among Indian women
Changes in the vaginal flora after antibiotics or with hormonal change
Pregnancy and the months after birth
The menopause transition

Habits that protect it

Know your cycle and note changes
Eat iron-rich foods with a source of vitamin C
Wear breathable cotton and avoid harsh intimate washes
Keep up regular movement and sleep
Have regular check-ups, including cervical screening

See a doctor if you notice

Bleeding between periods or after menopause
Discharge with a strong odour, itching or pain
Very heavy periods or severe pain
Fever with lower abdominal pain

The health journey

Your health journey

Six stages, and where to find help at each one. Scroll sideways on smaller screens.

01 Lifestyle

Stress and irregular sleep, which disturb hormonal rhythm
Anaemia, which is very common among Indian women
Changes in the vaginal flora after antibiotics or with hormonal change

02 Early signals

Bleeding between periods or after menopause
Discharge with a strong odour, itching or pain
Very heavy periods or severe pain

03 Understanding

Browse the Knowledge Room

04 Testing

Haemoglobin for anaemia
Thyroid function
Cervical screening with a Pap smear or HPV test
Swabs for infection where there is discharge

05 Management

Know your cycle and note changes
Eat iron-rich foods with a source of vitamin C
Wear breathable cotton and avoid harsh intimate washes

06 Long-term wellbeing

Regular check-ups, as your doctor advises
Revisit the health checks
Formulations for the women's health

Should my haemoglobin or thyroid be checked?
Is this discharge or bleeding normal for me?
When should I have cervical screening?
Is any medicine or supplement safe for me in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Anaemia

Anaemia rose in every group between the last two national surveys

57% of Indian women are anaemic

Two in three young children and more than half of women in India are anaemic, most often because of iron deficiency. Anaemia causes tiredness, breathlessness and poor concentration, and in pregnancy it affects both mother and baby. It is also among the most preventable conditions, through diet, supplementation and treating its causes.

The National Family Health Survey compares 2015 to 2016 with 2019 to 2021.

NFHS-4 (2015-16) NFHS-5 (2019-21)

Children aged 6 to 59 months58.6% to 67.1%

Women aged 15 to 1954.1% to 59.1%

All women aged 15 to 4953.1% to 57%

Pregnant women50.4% to 52.2%

Men aged 15 to 4922.7% to 25%

View the data as a table