Objectives

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) being a man or a woman has a significant impact on health, as a result of both biological and gender-related differences. The health of women and girls is of particular concern because, in many societies, they are disadvantaged through sex discrimination. 

Some of the sociocultural factors that prevent women and girls to benefit from quality health services and attaining the best possible level of health include:

• Unequal power relationships between men and women.
• Social norms that decrease education and paid employment opportunities.
• An exclusive focus on women’s reproductive roles.
• Potential or actual experience of physical, sexual and emotional violence.

This module will reflect the importance of women's health to both the individual and society as a whole. It also explains what the community pharmacy can do to improve women's health and well-being.

Areas covered includes:

• Women's health priorities.
• The role of the community pharmacy in supporting women's health.
• Menstrual health.
• Fertility and pregnancy.
• Menopause.
• Cancers.
• Endometriosis
• Other common gynaecological conditions.
• Health impacts of abuse against women and girls.
• Healthy ageing and long-term conditions.