Women's health
We have researched a number of health conditions that are primarily of concern to women. Please click on the condition link below to take you to the relevant section of Healthtalkonline.
Antenatal screening
Antenatal screening tests during pregnancy can check the health of the baby. We interviewed 37 women and 8 couples about their experiences of antenatal screening for various conditions. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and occurs in rare cases in men. We interviewed 47 people about their experiences of breast cancer.
We interviewed 49 women and 2 men about their experiences of breastfeeding.
Breast Screening
Breast screening can detect breast cancer at a very early stage. We interviewed 48 women about their experiences of breast screening.
Cervical abnormalities: CIN3 and CGIN
Every year many women are diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells. CIN (Cervical Intra-epithelial Neoplasia) means abnormal cells found on the surface of the cervix. CGIN (Cervical Glandular Intra-epithelial Neoplasia) means abnormal cells found on the glandular tissue in the cervix. CIN 3 indicates severe changes (not cancer) affecting the full thickness of the surface layer of the cervix.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer develops from cells lining the cervix. We interviewed 25 women about their experiences of this condition
Cervical Screening
Cervical screening aims to detect early abnormalities that may lead to cancer of the cervix. We interviewed 37 women about their experiences of cervical screening.
Conditions that threaten women’s lives in childbirth & pregnancy
While pregnancy and childbirth is safer now in the United Kingdom than at any time in history, there are still occasionally women who experience life-threatening complications during their pregnancy. These events are rare - about 1 in 100 births. They are caused by a range of conditions including; haemorrhage (heavy uncontrolled bleeding), placental disorders (placenta praevia), hypertensive (blood pressure) disorders such as pre-eclampsia, thrombosis (blood clots), the rare condition amniotic fluid embolism or infections that lead to sepsis (an illness caused by the body overreacting to an infection). We interviewed 35 women who experienced a life-threatening complication during childbirth, and 11 fathers or partners, to find out more about their experiences and their long-term impact.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Every year thousands of women are diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) after having a routine mammogram. We interviewed 35 women about their experiences of DCIS found through routine breast screening.
It is estimated that one in seven couples in the UK have fertility problems. Infertility, failing to get pregnant after two years of regular unprotected sex, is the most common reason that women aged 20-45 visit their GPs. Difficulties conceiving a child can be devastating for individuals and couples. We interviewed 39 people (women and men) about their experiences of infertility and fertility treatment. Some had successful treatment, others did not and either chose to adopt or live without children. Some were still in treatment and did not yet know the outcome of their infertility journey.
Discovery of a fetal abnormality may lead to the decision to terminate a pregnancy. We interviewed 40 people (including some male partners) about their experiences of ending a pregnancy for this reason.
We interviewed 27 women about their experiences of caesarean birth and about their decisions and experiences related to the birth of their next child.
Menopause
The menopause is an inevitable part of every woman’s life when periods stop and ovaries lose their reproductive function. The average age of the menopause in the UK is 52 years, however, some women may have an early menopause in their 30s or even younger. We interviewed 46 women about their experiences of the menopause.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis means 'porous bone'. With this disease bones lose density and become more fragile with a greater risk of fracturing. The loss of bone occurs 'silently' and progressively. Often there are no symptoms until the first fracture occurs. We interviewed 40 people with osteoporosis about their experiences of this condition.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer (cancer of the ovary) is one of the most common cancers in women. We interviewed 48 women about their experiences of this condition.
We interviewed 51 people (including some male partners) about their experiences of pregnancy.
We interviewed 39 people about their experiences of antenatal and newborn screening for sickle cell, beta thalassaemia and other haemoglobin variants.
