Encouraging women to embrace their health and make it a top priority is of utmost importance, particularly in the post-pandemic era. In pursuit of this objective, GOQii undertook a comprehensive, year-long investigation into women's health, involving 3,000 participants. The results shed light on persisting health issues that continue to be a cause for concern even today. The survey, titled 'Live Well and Stay Healthy: Lifestyle is a Powerful Medicine,' reveals that 51 per cent of women grapple with ongoing health challenges.
Notwithstanding the increased attention towards women's health, certain problems such as menstrual difficulties, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, urinary tract infections (UTI) and fibroids persist. Moreover, the survey highlights a rise in infertility attributed to age-related factors among Indian women. Approximately 21.7 per cent of women admitted that their advanced age played a role in fertility issues. Over the past decade, the childbearing age of Indian women has steadily increased, owing to factors such as greater female participation in the workforce, higher education levels, improved access to contraception and evolving social norms. Consequently, infertility has become more prevalent as an increasing number of women delay childbirth. The survey found that 12.5 per cent of women are presently undergoing fertility treatments.
Additionally, new health concerns like endometriosis have surfaced. Affecting approximately one in 10 women of reproductive age in India, endometriosis is a painful and debilitating condition that is on the rise. According to the survey, 57.1 per cent of women have been grappling with endometriosis for a duration ranging from one to five years.
Regarding menstrual issues, 16.5 per cent of women reported experiencing irregular periods, which could be managed through lifestyle modifications. The survey unveiled that 21.4 per cent of women experience periods lasting over five days, while 46.4 per cent endure periods lasting five days, and around 32.1 per cent have three-day periods. Further, the mood analysis from the survey indicates that 17.5 per cent of women feel stressed, and 28.3 per cent feel fatigued during their menstrual cycles.
Diabetes, on the other hand, exerts a substantial impact on daily life, sapping energy levels and affecting the ability to perform routine tasks. Almost 43 per cent of women stated that they have been dealing with diabetes for less than a year, while 28.6 per cent have been managing the condition for one to five years, and 14.3 per cent have been coping with it for over a decade.
In conclusion, the survey emphasises the significance of lifestyle as a potent medicine, advocating the adoption of positive lifestyle practices to prevent, treat and manage chronic disorders like diabetes and PCOS. By identifying and modifying lifestyle-related causes of diseases, women can proactively steer clear of various health issues.