Dr. Riddhi Shah

New Dimensions in Women’s Wellness 

It's not easy being a woman. There are challenges at every stage, as she experiences a series of changes throughout her life. From an early age, she navigates unique physical and emotional transitions, each shaping her journey in profound ways.

In the recent times, the age for puberty has changed drastically, with girls experiencing the same as early as 8 or 10 years old, a shift that poses challenges for both, them and their parents. This early onset is largely attributed to lifestyle changes, including increased exposure to artificial light, plastics, and food pesticides. Due to this hormonal shift, conditions like fibroids, ovarian cysts, breast problems, and endometriosis ensue at a younger age than before. Many teenagers and women battle with hormonal issues, trying extremely hard to fix their lifestyle, and being on hormonal medications from a young age is not uncommon to see. It is also commendable to see how these young girls are taking charge of their health, absorbing medical information, and managing their lives responsibly. Irrespective of age, teenagers to geriatric patients are battling gynaecological problems. To offer solace to the same, we, at Zydus, practice meaningful counselling and precise treatments which empower them to take informed decisions, and procedures like minimal access surgeries and safe treatment options such as robotic surgeries or non-invasive therapies enable women to lead a better quality of life.

Fertility remains an enigma—never fully understood. On one hand, many couples face difficulties conceiving, requiring multiple treatments and interventions. On the other, young women are increasingly monitoring their ovarian reserve, tracking their reproductive health, and even considering egg freezing—often without adequate professional guidance. Meanwhile, perspectives on family-building are evolving. More couples are embracing adoption, donor eggs, or donor sperm, while some choose not to have children at all. However, with the right medical advice, these challenges can be navigated thoughtfully, helping individuals and couples make informed decisions about their reproductive journey.

No two pregnancies are the same. Some women experience smooth, uncomplicated pregnancies, requiring little to no lifestyle changes while balancing work and personal life. Others, however, face high-risk conditions that demand extensive medical care, hospitalization, and specialized support. With the increasing prevalence of high-risk pregnancies, multidisciplinary care has become essential. Women now seek tertiary-level care that includes round-the-clock support from gynecologists, physicians, pediatricians, and anesthesiologists. This integrated approach ensures safer deliveries, enabling even high-risk mothers to experience natural labour with emergency facilities readily available.

As she charges ahead in life and meets a series of speed bumps, one of the biggest is Menopause. That is when she transforms again, holding up with finesse or breaking apart and then reforming into old age. She faces the daily mix of hot flashes, mood swings, dryness, and bloating. Sometimes these phenomena start at a relatively younger age, like the mid-30s, a few years before menopause. Though a bigger dent than menopause, perimenopause comes with its own challenges, which can be taken care of with support from the family, partner, and your gynaecologist.

Just when we think we have fought all the devils and can retire, old age brings with itself problems like prolapse, urinary issues. Additional issues like malignancy, that doesn’t just impact older women but are nowadays commonly seen across all age groups, tends to upset the trajectory of their journey ahead. However, with the right amount of importance being given to regular health checks, balanced diet, healthy lifestyle, and early diagnosis, can collectively play a pivotal role in retaining the right dimensions in women’s wellness journey. To ensure this environment is not only an individual’s responsibility, but it’s also up to the society to support women and be more accommodating of their needs and challenges.

On this note, we salute the female spirit, tenacity, and the grace with which she carries herself even in the most arduous circumstances.

Wishing you all a very Happy International Women’s Day.