International Women’s Day: Women’s Health Across the Lifespan | Rodolico Health

In Italy, International Women’s Day on 8 March is marked by bright yellow mimosa. It is a simple gesture, but a meaningful one.

The date is also personal to me. It is my daughter’s birthday and this year, she turns seven. Watching her grow is a reminder that women’s health is not a single issue or stage. It changes over time. It begins long before adulthood and continues through many transitions.

At seven, health is usually about growth, sleep, nutrition and emotional wellbeing. It is about building confidence and learning how to describe how you feel. As girls move into adolescence, conversations begin to shift. Periods start and body image becomes more important. Vaccination and the foundations of future screening begin to matter, including protection against HPV and the cervical screening programmes that help prevent cervical cancer.

In early adulthood, health concerns often widen. Contraception, fertility, pregnancy and recovery after childbirth are common themes. Thyroid conditions are also more common in women and can affect energy, mood and overall wellbeing, as can mental health, workload and caring responsibilities. The aim in general practice is rarely just to treat a symptom, understanding the context in which it appears allows care to be truly patient centred.

Midlife brings another shift. Perimenopause and menopause can affect sleep, mood, concentration and energy. Hormone discussions are increasingly common, particularly around perimenopause and menopause. For some women, pharmacological treatment is the answer, for others, reassurance, sleep support, mental health care or lifestyle changes make more difference. There is no single path through this stage, and no single definition of what is normal.

Screening runs alongside these life stages. Cervical screening, breast screening and cardiovascular risk assessment are hugely important. For individuals, they require interpretation and conversation - being “up to date” depends on age, history and where someone lives. For those navigating care between Italy and other countries, this can sometimes be unclear.

As my daughter turns seven, I am aware (and hugely grateful) that her health needs today are simple compared with what they will be in the future. Over time, those needs will evolve. The role of primary care is to evolve with them.

Wherever you are in your own health journey, conversation remains the starting point. Individualised care matters more than any single test, diagnosis or life stage.

If you would like to talk through a health concern, review screening, or make sense of changing symptoms, you are welcome to book an appointment or virtual consultation.

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