This question is mainly for women: how many of you actually got the right treatment when you went to the doctor? Like, really think about it. If you had PCOD, PCOS, endometriosis, or even just very painful periods, did you feel like the doctor took your problem seriously? Or was it just the same story over and over again, “here, take birth control pills”? Because honestly, that’s what I’ve been seeing everywhere. For almost every issue, the answer is the same: pills. But let’s not ignore the side effects. Birth control pills can mess up your body even more. Weight gain, mood swings, hormonal imbalance, and uterine problems later, this is not “treatment.” This is like putting a Band-Aid on something much deeper and hoping it will heal itself. And it’s frustrating because women are the ones who end up carrying all these side effects silently, as if it’s just part of being a woman.

Doctors, Why Are You Not Listening?

If a man goes to a doctor with a health issue, people run ten tests and check everything carefully. But if a woman says, “I have cramps so bad I can’t get up,” the reply is often, “It’s normal, every woman goes through it.” Excuse me? That’s not normal. Pain that knocks you down is not normal. And it’s not just cramps. Endometriosis takes years and years to even get diagnosed because women are told to “just bear it.” By the time doctors realise it’s serious, the damage is worse. It’s like women’s pain has become invisible. People expect us to suffer quietly because “that’s what women do.” And that mindset is dangerous.

Menstrual Products: So Many Options, But Are We Really Using Them?

Now, let’s talk about periods. So many new products have come out in recent years, menstrual cups, period panties, reusable pads, tampons, and even diapers for heavy flow. Sounds amazing, right? So much innovation. But how many women are actually using these? The truth is, not many. According to the latest surveys in India, around 87–96% of women still use sanitary pads. Cloth is still used by 36–49%, especially in rural areas. Cups? Only 0.3–3% of women use them. Tampons? Barely 2–3%. Period panties are like 5–6%.

So basically, pads are still the default choice. And you know what? There are reasons for this. Pads are the easiest to find, the government promotes them the most, and women are simply more familiar with them. Cups and tampons still carry taboos. So many women feel uncomfortable with insertion-based products, either because they don’t know enough or because they’ve been told it’s “wrong.” In rural areas, many women can’t even afford alternatives. So yes, we celebrate innovation, but the reality is, pads are what most women are still stuck with.

Sometimes, We Women Don’t Help Ourselves Either

And here’s something I need to say, even though it might sting a bit: sometimes women ourselves become part of this neglect cycle. Think about rural areas, where so many women don’t even know what PCOD is, or how to track their cycles, or why hygiene is so important. It’s not their fault, of course; it’s because no one taught them. Families avoid these topics, schools avoid sex education, and society tells us to stay quiet.

So girls grow up thinking pain is normal, thinking they should just manage with cloth, or believing myths like “don’t touch a pickle during your period.” And then the same cycle repeats with the next generation. If no one breaks this silence, nothing changes.

Why Women’s Health Actually Matters More Than People Realise.

Here’s the thing. Women make up half the population. If women are unhealthy, it’s not just a personal issue; it affects families, kids, workplaces, and the whole economy. Yet women’s health is still seen as something “secondary.”Women struggling with PCOD or endometriosis end up with fertility issues later. Women ignoring hygiene end up with infections. Women struggling with depression or postpartum stress are told to “just adjust.” And we all know how many women live with anaemia or malnutrition because their own health is the last priority after feeding the whole family.
So no, this isn’t just a “women’s issue.” It’s a society issue.

What Needs to Change (And Fast)

• Doctors need to do better. Stop prescribing birth control for everything. Actually listen to women and treat the root cause.
• Awareness needs to start young. Schools should talk openly about periods, PCOD, and sexual health without shame.
• Better access. Women should actually have the option to choose between pads, cups, tampons, whatever. Not just be forced into one option due to stigma or money.
• Workplaces and policies. Period leave, affordable healthcare, insurance for fertility and pregnancy care, these shouldn’t be luxuries.
• Women helping women. Honestly, this one matters the most. If you discovered something that worked for your health, share it. If you tried a menstrual cup and found it helpful, tell your friends. If you learned about PCOD, educate your younger cousin. We can’t always wait for big institutions to care about us. We can start with each other.

At the end of the day, we can’t deny this anymore: women’s health is neglected. For centuries, it has been brushed off as “normal suffering,” and we’ve been taught to stay quiet. But staying quiet is not a strength. It’s not empowerment. It’s neglect, plain and simple.

And the saddest part? So many of us have normalised it. We laugh about our pain, we joke about our mood swings, and we even convince ourselves, “This is just how it is.” But no, it doesn’t have to be this way. We need to start asking uncomfortable questions. Why do women’s health problems always get dismissed? Why is the first solution always pills? Why is talking about menstrual cups still taboo? Why is women’s pain not taken seriously in hospitals, at home, even by ourselves? There might not be simple answers, but what’s clear is, we can’t keep normalising neglect. Our health is not a side issue. Our health is not a luxury. Our health is essential.

And it’s about time we start treating it that way.

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