Doctor Guide: Women's Health
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Doctor Guide: Women's Health
Written by BePurer's medical advisory team. For educational purposes only — always consult your GP or specialist for personalised advice.
The foundations of women's health
Women's health is shaped by a complex interplay of hormones, nutrition, lifestyle, and genetics. While each life stage brings distinct priorities, several foundational principles apply throughout:
- Know your numbers: Regular blood tests for iron (ferritin), vitamin D, thyroid function, and B12 are the most impactful tests most women never get.
- Hormonal health is whole-body health: Sex hormones regulate mood, sleep, bone density, cardiovascular function, and cognitive health — not just reproduction.
- Nutrition is medicine: The evidence for diet and supplementation in women's health is substantial and often underutilised.
- Advocate for yourself: Women's symptoms are more likely to be dismissed or misattributed. Come to appointments prepared with specific symptoms, their timing, and their impact on your life.
Essential health screening for women
Blood tests to request
- Full blood count + ferritin: Iron status. Ferritin is the most sensitive marker — request it specifically, as it is not always included in a standard FBC.
- Vitamin D (25-OH): Aim for 75–150 nmol/L. Most UK women are deficient.
- Thyroid function (TSH, free T4, free T3): Thyroid disorders are common in women and frequently missed. Request free T3 as well as TSH.
- B12 and folate: Particularly important for women following plant-based diets and those over 50.
- HbA1c and fasting glucose: Blood sugar regulation. Important for women with PCOS, those over 40, or with a family history of type 2 diabetes.
- Lipid profile: Cardiovascular risk increases after menopause. Baseline testing from age 40 is advisable.
- AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone): Ovarian reserve. Useful for women planning to conceive in the future or concerned about early menopause.
NHS screening programmes
- Cervical screening (smear test): Every 3 years from age 25–49; every 5 years from 50–64. Do not skip.
- Breast screening (mammogram): Every 3 years from age 50–70 on the NHS. Women with a family history of breast cancer may be eligible for earlier screening.
- DEXA scan (bone density): Recommended for women with risk factors for osteoporosis or early menopause. Request via your GP.
Hormonal health across the lifespan
The menstrual cycle as a vital sign
The menstrual cycle is increasingly recognised as a fifth vital sign — a window into overall hormonal and metabolic health. A regular, manageable cycle indicates healthy ovulation and hormonal balance. Disruptions — irregular cycles, very heavy or painful periods, absent periods — are signals worth investigating, not normalising.
The role of oestrogen
Oestrogen is far more than a reproductive hormone. It regulates bone density, cardiovascular function, cognitive health, mood, skin collagen, and immune function. Understanding how oestrogen levels change across the lifespan — and what this means for health — is fundamental to women's preventive care.
Progesterone
Progesterone is produced after ovulation and has calming, sleep-supporting, and anti-inflammatory effects. Low progesterone (relative to oestrogen) is associated with PMS, anxiety, sleep disruption, and heavy periods. It declines earlier than oestrogen in perimenopause.
Androgens in women
Women produce androgens (including testosterone and DHEA) in the ovaries and adrenal glands. Androgens support libido, energy, muscle mass, and mood. Excess androgens (as in PCOS) cause acne, excess hair growth, and hair thinning. Androgen decline after menopause contributes to low libido and fatigue.
Evidence-based supplement protocol for general women's health
The following represents a core supplement protocol for women of reproductive age with no specific conditions. Adjust based on life stage and blood test results.
- Methylfolate: 400mcg daily (increase to 400–800mcg when trying to conceive)
- Vitamin D3: 1,000–2,000 IU daily year-round
- Omega-3 (EPA+DHA): 500–1,000mg daily
- Magnesium glycinate: 300–400mg daily (evening)
- Iron: Only if ferritin is below 50 mcg/L — do not supplement without testing
- Vitamin B12: 2.4mcg daily (higher if plant-based)
- Zinc: 7–8mg daily
Use our Vitalis personalised assessment for recommendations tailored to your specific life stage and symptoms.
Lifestyle medicine: the evidence
Exercise
Regular physical activity is the single most evidence-backed intervention for women's health across the lifespan. Benefits include reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety, and several cancers. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity and 2 sessions of resistance training per week.
Sleep
Sleep is when the body repairs, hormones regulate, and the brain consolidates memory. Chronic sleep deprivation disrupts cortisol, insulin, and reproductive hormones. Women are more susceptible to insomnia than men, particularly during hormonal transitions. Magnesium, sleep hygiene, and addressing underlying hormonal causes are key.
Stress management
Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which suppresses reproductive hormones, disrupts sleep, increases inflammation, and accelerates ageing. Evidence-based approaches include mindfulness, breathwork, therapy, regular exercise, and social connection.
Gut health
The gut microbiome influences oestrogen metabolism, immune function, mood, and inflammation. A high-fibre, plant-diverse diet supports a healthy microbiome. Probiotics may be beneficial for specific conditions including IBS, recurrent thrush, and UTIs.