About Women’s Health

When you provide women with the right resources, education, and social support, they are capable of extraordinary things.

Progress has been made over the last several decades, but investments in innovation for women’s health still lag behind.

Women’s Health Milestones

  • 1960: Birth control pill approved by the FDA
  • 1978: First IVF baby1
  • 1993: Women are finally included in clinical trials to determine differences in sexes
  • 1994: BRCA gene discovered2
  • 2006: The morning after pill goes over the counter

We’re at a critical point in time

unafraid to take on tough subjects like maternal morbidity and mortality, demands on women in the workforce, or the lack of innovation in women’s health.

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is an initiative that aims to disrupt the status quo by elevating topics that impact millions of women.

Women’s voices matter and it’s time to shine a light on these common yet underdiscussed issues.

Women are #1 Health Care Decision-Makers

Women often juggle many aspects of life simultaneously, including tackling a job, running a household, supporting friends, and caring for loved ones. In fact, one survey found that women are overwhelmingly the ones making important health care decisions for themselves, their children, significant others, and many times their parents or other family members.3

Some other interesting stats from the

On the Rebound: What to Expect after Surgery survey, include:3

  • 96% of women are motivated to get back to their daily routine after surgery, yet few are making medication choices that can help them rapidly rebound.
  • Nearly all women surveyed (97%) say they are responsible for or influence health care decisions, with 93% being the primary decision makers when it comes to activities such as planning surgeries, scheduling medical appointments, and refilling prescriptions.
  • 67% of women are using opioids to manage pain after surgery—even though most agree they hinder everyday activities.

Challenges

Women will face a variety of challenges when it comes to their own health

Opioid Use in Women

  • WHAT TO KNOW

    Many women are concerned about the side effects from opioids following C-section delivery, including the potential impact on breastfeeding and the ability to feel “fully present” in the days following birth. Further, opioids are still being used even though 84% of women surveyed expressed concerns related to opioid use.3 Women are also 40% more likely than men to become newly persistent opioid users following surgery.4 There are effective non-opioids available that can manage pain following a C-section, without some of the bothersome side effects that may come with taking opioids such as constipation and dizziness.

  • HOW TO TALK ABOUT IT

    Women address several topics with their doctor prior to surgery, yet they often neglect to ask about a proven pain management solution that can support a better recovery: a non-opioid option. Non-opioids are available for a number of common women’s health procedures including C-section, mastectomy, breast reconstruction, hysterectomy, and fibroid removal, among others. Talk to your doctor about a surgical plan, that incorporates a non-opioid option, that may be right for you and your recovery after surgery.

  • HEAR FROM AN EXPERT

    To learn more and to share information about this topic, download the resources below

    Videos Social Content

Despite the desire to get back to daily life, 67% of women3 surveyed took an opioid to manage pain after surgery, which can negatively impact recovery. For example,

 

  • ToiletOpioids can cause nausea, vomiting, and constipation5
  • DelayOpioids can delay how quickly you return to day-to-day activities5
  • CautionOpioids can lead to dependency or, if left around the house, can pose a potential risk of misuse and abuse by others5

Hear from real-life doctors and patients

on how non-opioid options helped achieve an enhanced recovery experience.

For more information on a safe and effective non-opioid option

Click Here

Regaining Intimacy After Cancer

  • What to know

    While sexual dysfunction during and after cancer treatment is extremely common, it is oftentimes not addressed, and complicated. In fact, more than 60% of cancer survivors6 report some element of sexual dysfunction. The reality is: fewer than one-third of women with cancer reported receiving information about potential sexual side effects of treatments, compared to twice as many men with cancer who reported receiving such information.

  • HOW TO TALK ABOUT IT

    First, start the conversation. While addressing sexual dysfunction among cancer patients is complex, the right care team can offer solutions.Whether you are experiencing a drop in libido, vaginal dryness, or self-esteem issues, there are moisturizers, lubricants, suppositories, and products that may help these complications.

  • Hear from an expert

    To learn more and to share information about this topic, download the resources below

    Videos Social Content

Understanding Pelvic Pain and Sexual Dysfunction

    • What to know

      • Not AloneYou are not alone. As many as 75% of women will experience pain during sex at one point in their life.
      • SexualOver 80% of those with chronic pelvic pain also suffer from sexual dysfunction.
      • LengthStep one is identifying the cause of the pain or discomfort as there could be several contributing factors.

    • HOW TO TALK ABOUT IT

      Prior to your next appointment ask yourself a few questions and share these updates with your doctor:

      • Are there certain points of the day or month where the pain is more intense?
      • Has the pain lasted longer than six months?
      • Is it disrupting your daily life?
      • Is the pain elevated during sex?
      • Do you have any unexpected bleeding?

    • Hear from an expert

      To learn more and to share information about this topic, download the resources below

      Videos Social Content

Learn more about ways we can work together

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References

  • 1 Dow K. Looking into the Test Tube: The Birth of IVF on British Television. Med Hist. 2019 Apr;63(2):189-208. doi: 10.1017/mdh.2019.6. PMID: 30912501; PMCID: PMC6434648.
  • 2 Hurst JH. Pioneering geneticist Mary-Claire King receives the 2014 Lasker~Koshland Special Achievement Award in Medical Science. J Clin Invest. 2014 Oct;124(10):4148-51. doi: 10.1172/JCI78507. Epub 2014 Sep 8. PMID: 25196046; PMCID: PMC4191015.
  • 3 Pacira BioSciences, Inc. On the Rebound: What to Expect after Surgery. July 2020. [Analysis in the report was based on research conducted by Wakefield Research.]
  • 4 Pacira BioSciences, Inc. Exposing A Silent Gateway to Persistent Opioid Use: A Choices Matter Status Report. October 2018. [Analysis in the report was based on research conducted by IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science (formerly QuintilesIMS).]
  • 5 Tong J Gan. Poorly controlled postoperative pain: prevalence, consequences, and prevention. September 2017. [Journal of Pain Research.]
  • 6 Wettergren L, Eriksson LE, Bergström C, Hedman C, Ahlgren J, Smedby KE, Hellman K, Henriksson R, Lampic C. Prevalence and risk factors for sexual dysfunction in young women following a cancer diagnosis – a population-based study. Acta Oncol. 2022 Sep 29:1-8. doi: 10.1080/0284186X.2022.2112283. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36176069.