Women's Health: From Awareness to Systematic Change

international women's day often brings increased visibility to women's health. conversations expand, awareness rises, and important issues briefly move into focus. yet once the moment passes, women's health is still too often treated as a niche category rather than what it truly is: a central determinant of population health, workforce capacity and economic stability. this is not simply a clinical issue, but a systemic one that affects society as a whole.

the scale of women's health conditions

several conditions disproportionately affect women across the life course:

• endometriosis affects around 1 in 10 women of reproductive age globally (Zondervan et al., 2020)

• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 6–13% of women, depending on diagnostic criteria (Teede et al., 2018)

• menopause-related symptoms affect around 75% of women, with 25% experiencing severe symptoms (NICE, 2015)

• iron deficiency and anaemia remain highly prevalent globally, particularly in women of reproductive age (WHO, 2021)

• cardiovascular disease, often perceived as a male condition, is the leading cause of death in women globally (Virani et al., 2021)

in the UK, delayed diagnosis of endometriosis averages 7–8 years, contributing to chronic pain, reduced productivity and repeated healthcare use (APPG on Endometriosis, 2020). these are not isolated clinical problems. they intersect with metabolic health, mental health, sleep, and long-term disease risk.

why men should care

women's health is often framed as a "women's issue". this framing is misleading. from an economic and organisational perspective:

• poor management of menopause symptoms contributes to substantial workforce attrition and reduced productivity

• chronic conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis are associated with absenteeism and presenteeism

• maternal health influences long-term health trajectories of future generations

at a population level, women's health shapes labour participation, healthcare costs and intergenerational health outcomes.

the biological overlap

many women's health conditions share underlying mechanisms: chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance and metabolic dysregulation, hormonal signalling disruption, and stress system activation. these same pathways are central to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

this overlap is important, because it means that women's health cannot be separated from broader chronic disease prevention. health outcomes rarely emerge from single factors, but from cumulative exposures across daily life.

where nutrition fits

nutrition is not a cure for these conditions. but it is one of the few changeable factors that interacts with all of the underlying pathways:

• glycaemic control influences ovarian function and androgen levels in PCOS

• iron intake and absorption affect fatigue and cognitive performance

• dietary patterns influence inflammation and cardiovascular risk

at Grounded Kitchen, the emphasis on structured meals, fermented foods, fibre-rich vegetables and balanced macronutrients reflects a pattern that supports long-term metabolic stability. korean dietary patterns — characterised by diversity, fermentation, regularity, and the importance of community over meal times — align with these principles.

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a shift in framing

women's health should not be approached episodically, only when symptoms become severe. it should be viewed as a continuous physiological state shaped by daily nutrition, sleep and circadian rhythm, stress load, and social and environmental context.

what comes next

in the next newsletter, we look more closely at specific conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis and menopause, and examine their underlying physiology, common management challenges, and where evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies meaningfully contribute.

Written by: Gabi Zaromskyte, MSc, ANutr

Registered Nutritionist | Intuitive Eating Counsellor | Holistic Health Coach