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Written by: Peter Minkoff
Experts are concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic having a potentially devastating secondary impact on women's health worldwide. In some parts of the world, women and girls are denied care or face dangerous delays necessary medical services.
Places with weak and overburdened health care systems are dealing with difficulties in providing routine health services and products the most.
This increased initiatives by governments and various organizations to take better care of female health.
The Global Women's Health Market report predicts opportunities for companies within the industry. There has been a rise in investment in research and development that can influence the market and lead to its growth.
According to reports, the global women's health market is expected to show a steady growth between 2019 and 2026.
Main market drivers
As already mentioned above, research and development initiatives have gone up. Various manufacturers are working towards providing better healthcare services for women. These initiatives are expected to impact the growth of this market positively.
Another critical factor is that both population and authorities pay more attention to preventing women related health diseases. The increase in these programs is expected to affect the market too.
Changes in the lifestyles accompanied by bad nutritional habits are also contributing to the market growth.
Also, under-developed regions are perceived as areas for the growth of the market value.
Access to sexual and reproductive health products and services
In the middle of an emergency or crisis like the Coronavirus pandemic, sexual and reproductive health needs often get neglected. United Nation's policy brief on the impact of COVID-19 on women also points out that global pandemics can make it more difficult for women and girls to receive health services and treatment.
Yet, life goes on, and so do the sexual interactions. Unfortunately, women in developing economies and under-developed regions have been dealing with severe secondary impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They are facing even more barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive services and products due to the outbreak. In these areas, the pandemic's indirect effects on women's lives are visible in cuts to SRH services, or even their closure.
Sexual and reproductive products like contraception are being deprioritized during the crisis. Their supply has been heavily affected by the pandemic too.
Challenges for women dealing with peri/menopausal issues
The Coronavirus outbreak has put massive pressure on the National Health Service. Most routine appointments in Primary and Secondary Care have been canceled due to this strain on the healthcare system.
Menopausal issues can have an enormous effect on the quality of life of women who are dealing with them.
Still, they are rarely life-threatening unless they have a devastating effect on their mental health.
Due to this fact, it can be challenging to schedule an appointment at your GP practice or the specialist Menopause Clinic when there is an ongoing health crisis. Unfortunately, additional stress and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic can aggravate peri/menopausal issues.
If you are struggling to get a medical appointment and your issues are severe, there are still some non-medical things you can do to decrease their intensity in the meantime.
Caffeinated drinks and alcohol can worsen hot flashes and other peri/menopause-related issues, so cutting down or eliminating these drinks can improve your symptoms. Avoiding strong spices, regular exercise, and relaxation techniques like breathing exercises are all known to help.
Best natural menopause supplements can be very useful in controlling peri/menopause's unpleasant side effects. Many women find these natural remedies to help them manage their issues and support their bodies during these transitions.
They are also far less invasive, often inexpensive, and come with fewer side effects in most cases. A more holistic approach has the potential to improve women's overall health, as well.
Shortage of products is making managing periods harder
Besides a severe shortage of products, a significant rise in prices of pads and tampons has left girls and women worldwide struggling to manage their periods. The survey by Plan International was carried out in 30 countries, including Kenya, Nepal, Ireland, and Australia.
The survey resulted in some alarming findings. For starters, sourcing products has become more complicated, and with the intentional inflation of prices, managing periods has become a lot harder.
Disrupted supply chains have resulted in period products becoming scarce in many countries. And the product shortages are affecting both women's safety and their dignity too.
When sanitary products are hard to acquire, people often resort to unhygienic alternatives. They can increase the risk of illnesses like reproductive and urinary tract infections.
There is another side to this issue: the global health crisis has a severe economic impact, especially in developing economies. As a result, people have less money than before the outbreak to obtain sanitary products, even when they are available.
Governments, health agencies, and organizations need to consider both the direct and indirect health impacts on women and ensure they can access treatments, health services, and products they need.
Health care services for older women, gender-based violence survivors, delivery services, and postnatal care require particular attention.
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