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Every woman has been given advice about her body throughout her life. 

Some of it comes from mothers and grandmothers, shared with love and the best of intentions. Some of it comes from friends, out-dated research options, teachers, mis-informed resources or even clueless life partners. 

Today, much of it comes from social media, where health advice travels faster than ever before.

You’ve probably heard phrases like:

• “Period pain is just part of being a woman.”
• “You’ll know if something is seriously wrong.”
• “You don’t need to see a gynaecologist unless you’re pregnant.”

Some of these beliefs have been repeated for generations. Others are relatively new, shaped by internet trends, influencers or misinformation shared online. While many myths seem harmless, misinformation can delay diagnosis, make women feel ashamed therefore prevent women from seeking treatment or they cause unnecessary anxiety. 

These myths can normalise symptoms that deserve medical attention, create unnecessary fear around contraception, safe sex, menstrual care, fertility, and a variety of regular female experiences. 

This can be life-altering as they discourage women from seeking help when something doesn’t feel right.

The Truth About Your Health Is This

Understanding your health starts with understanding the facts. 

At Maxima Women’s Health, we believe the right knowledge empowers women to make informed decisions about their bodies. 

This Women’s Month, we’re looking at some of the most common women’s health myths—and what the evidence actually tells us.

This time round, we’re looking beyond the myths to explore what your body is actually doing, why these misconceptions have persisted for so long, and how evidence-based knowledge can help you make informed decisions at every stage of life.

Why Do Women’s Health Myths Persist?

For many years, women’s health wasn’t openly discussed. Although social and medical knowledge has advanced enormously, cultural beliefs often take much longer to change. 

A myth repeated often enough can begin to feel like a fact, especially when it reflects an experience shared by many women. 

The following are our most commonly seen reasons why women’s health and health literacy myths continue to remain amongst a variety of communities and households:  

Topics Are Seen As Taboo

Topics such as menstruation, fertility, menopause and reproductive health were often considered private or even taboo. 

Many women grew up learning about their bodies through whispered conversations, personal experience or advice passed down within families, rather than through open, evidence-based education. 

As a result, many women relied on family members, friends or online advice instead of evidence-based medical information. Take period pain, for example. If your mother experienced painful periods, and your grandmother did too, it’s understandable to assume that’s simply what menstruation is supposed to feel like, but common doesn’t always mean normal. 

Medicine Also Continues To Evolve

Research has transformed our understanding of conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and menopause over recent decades. What may have been accepted as “just part of being a woman” years ago is now recognised as something that can often be investigated and managed.

Health literacy—the ability to access, understand and use reliable health information—is one of the most powerful tools women have. It doesn’t mean knowing everything about medicine. It means recognising what’s normal for your body, asking questions when something changes, and feeling confident enough to seek advice when you need it.

Did You Know About Women’s Health Research Funds? 

Over the years, women’s health research has historically received less funding and attention than many other areas of medicine. As research expands, we’re learning more about conditions that have affected women for generations but were often misunderstood or underdiagnosed. 

Repeated Doesn’t Always Mean Real 

Although medical knowledge has advanced enormously, cultural beliefs and scandalous misinformation often take much longer to change. A myth repeated often enough can begin to feel like a fact, especially when it reflects an experience shared by many women.

The good news is that asking questions is one of the best ways to protect your health. Health literacy—the ability to access, understand and use reliable health information—is one of the most powerful tools women have. 

It doesn’t mean knowing everything about medicine. It means recognising what’s  real about your health in general, what is normal for your body, intentionally asking questions when something changes, and feeling confident enough to seek advice when you need it. Just because you’ve always been told ‘that’s the way it is’ is not always real for you. 

Myths About Menstruation

Your menstrual cycle is much more than your monthly period. It’s a complex conversation between the brain, ovaries and uterus, carefully coordinated by hormones including oestrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH). 

Throughout each cycle, these hormones prepare the body for a possible pregnancy before signalling the uterus to shed its lining if pregnancy doesn’t occur.

Because hormones influence so many systems in the body, changes to your menstrual cycle can sometimes provide valuable clues about your overall health.

Understanding what’s normal—and what isn’t—is one of the first steps towards recognising when something deserves medical attention.

Myth 1:
“Painful Periods Are Just Part of Being a Woman”

Why This Myth Exists

Many women grow up believing that period pain is something they simply have to endure.

It’s easy to understand why. Menstrual cramps are common, and conversations about periods often include stories of discomfort, missed school days or keeping a hot water bottle close by each month. When pain is experienced by so many women, it can become normalised.

But there’s an important difference between common and normal.

What’s Actually Happening Inside Your Body?

During menstruation, the uterus contracts to help shed its lining. These contractions are triggered by hormone-like chemicals called prostaglandins.

Some prostaglandin activity is completely normal. However, higher levels can cause stronger uterine contractions, temporarily reducing blood flow to the uterus and contributing to cramping.

For many women, these cramps are mild to moderate and improve with rest, gentle movement or over-the-counter pain relief.

However, severe pain that prevents you from working, studying, exercising or enjoying everyday life may indicate an underlying condition rather than a “normal” period.

Conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease can all contribute to significant menstrual pain.

From the Consulting Room

One of the most common things we hear is, ‘I thought this was just how periods were supposed to feel.’ Many women have lived with severe pain for years before realising it may be a sign of an underlying condition—not something they simply have to endure.

Why It Matters

Accepting severe pain as normal can delay diagnosis for years.

For example, women living with endometriosis often experience symptoms for several years before receiving a diagnosis. During that time, pain may progressively worsen and begin affecting work, relationships, mental wellbeing and fertility.

Living with severe pain isn’t something you should simply “push through.”

When Should You Speak to a Healthcare Professional?

Consider booking an appointment if:

• Your pain regularly causes you to miss work, school or social activities.
• Pain medication provides little or no relief.
• Your symptoms are becoming more severe over time.
• You experience pain during sex or between periods.
• Your periods have changed significantly from what is normal for you.

We Say ‘Take a Moment’ To Think About It 

Ask yourself:

• Do I plan my month around my period because I know I’ll be unable to function?
• Have I ever been told my pain is “just part of being a woman” without further investigation?
• Am I avoiding activities because I expect my period to be unbearable?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s worth discussing your symptoms with a healthcare professional.

Myth 2:
“Heavy Periods Are Just Something Some Women Have”

Why This Myth Exists

Menstrual flow varies naturally between women, making it difficult to know what qualifies as “heavy.”

Many women compare themselves with family members or friends rather than recognising changes within their own bodies. If heavy periods have always been part of your experience, you may assume they’re simply your normal.

What’s Actually Happening Inside Your Body?

Each menstrual cycle, the uterus builds a nutrient-rich lining in preparation for a possible pregnancy.

If pregnancy doesn’t occur, that lining is shed during menstruation.

Heavy menstrual bleeding can occur when hormonal signals affecting this process become disrupted, or when conditions such as fibroids, adenomyosis, bleeding disorders or certain hormonal imbalances interfere with normal uterine function.

Heavy bleeding isn’t just about inconvenience—it can also lead to iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia over time.

Why It Matters

Iron is essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

When heavy periods cause significant blood loss month after month, iron stores can become depleted.

You may begin noticing:

• Persistent tiredness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Shortness of breath during exercise
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Feeling unusually weak

From the Consulting Room

Many women don’t realise their periods are considered heavy because they’ve never experienced anything different. Often, it’s only after discussing everyday symptoms like fatigue or changing pads frequently that the bigger picture becomes clear.

When Should You Seek Medical Advice?

Heavy menstrual bleeding is one of the most common reasons women seek gynaecological care, yet many delay seeking help because they assume their experience is “just normal for me.”

Speak to your healthcare provider if you:

• Bleed through a pad or tampon every hour for several consecutive hours.
• Pass large blood clots regularly.
• Experience bleeding lasting longer than about seven days.
• Feel increasingly fatigued during or after your period.
• Notice your periods becoming significantly heavier than usual.

Many women treat these symptoms as part of a busy lifestyle, without realising they may be linked to menstrual blood loss.

Myth 3:
“Irregular Periods Don’t Really Mean Anything”

Why This Myth Exists

Stress, illness, travel, weight changes and certain medications can all temporarily affect the menstrual cycle, because occasional irregularity is common, it’s easy to assume that all irregular periods are harmless.

While a single unusual cycle is often nothing to worry about, ongoing changes deserve attention.

What’s Actually Happening Inside Your Body?

Your menstrual cycle depends on precise communication between the brain, ovaries and uterus—a system known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis.

When this communication is disrupted, ovulation may occur later than expected, become irregular or stop altogether.

Persistent irregular periods may be associated with conditions such as:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Thyroid disorders
• Premature ovarian insufficiency
• Significant weight changes
• Chronic stress affecting hormone regulation

Rather than being a problem on their own, irregular periods can sometimes be one of the body’s earliest signs that something else needs attention.

From the Consulting Room

Your menstrual cycle is one of your body’s most valuable health indicators. Changes don’t always signal a serious problem, but they often provide important clues that deserve attention rather than being dismissed. Tracking those changes can provide valuable information during an appointment.

Why It Matters

Your menstrual cycle is often described as a “vital sign” of reproductive health.

Changes in your cycle may provide valuable clues about your overall wellbeing long before other symptoms appear.

Tracking your periods—whether in an app or a simple calendar—can help identify patterns that are useful for both you and your healthcare provider.

We Say ‘Take a Moment’ To Think About It

Think about your last six months.

• Have your cycles become noticeably shorter or longer?
• Have you skipped periods without pregnancy?
• Have you noticed unexpected bleeding between periods?
• Has your cycle changed without an obvious reason?

These changes don’t always indicate something serious, but they are worth discussing if they continue.

Myths About Fertility & Reproductive Health

Advice about getting pregnant—or avoiding pregnancy—often comes from well-meaning family members, friends or social media. While some of it contains a grain of truth, fertility is far more complex than many of the myths suggest.

Ovulation, hormone regulation, egg quality, sperm health, age, lifestyle and underlying medical conditions all play a role. 

Understanding how these factors work together can replace uncertainty with confidence and help you make informed decisions about your reproductive health.

Myth 4:
“A Regular Period Means You’re Definitely Fertile”

Why This Myth Exists

Many people associate a regular menstrual cycle with good reproductive health. While regular periods often suggest that ovulation is occurring, they’re only one piece of a much larger picture.

Fertility is not something that can be measured by your menstrual cycle alone.

What’s Actually Happening Inside Your Body?

Each month, your ovaries prepare several follicles containing immature eggs. Usually, one egg matures and is released during ovulation, after which it travels into the fallopian tube where fertilisation may occur if sperm are present.

For pregnancy to happen successfully, several things need to work together:

• Healthy ovulation
• Good egg quality
• Healthy sperm
• Open fallopian tubes
• A uterus capable of supporting implantation
• Balanced hormones throughout the menstrual cycle

A regular period suggests that some of these processes may be functioning normally, but it doesn’t confirm that every step is happening as it should.

Likewise, women with irregular cycles may still ovulate and become pregnant.

From the Consulting Room

One of the biggest misconceptions we encounter is that a regular period guarantees fertility. Many couples are surprised to learn that fertility assessments usually involve both partners. Reproductive health is a shared journey, and understanding both sides helps guide the next steps.

Why It Matters

If pregnancy doesn’t happen as quickly as expected, many women blame themselves or assume they’ve done something wrong.

In reality, fertility challenges affect both men and women. In many couples, more than one factor contributes to difficulty conceiving. Fertility assessments usually involve both partners. Reproductive health is shared, and investigating only one partner may overlook important contributing factors.

Seeking evaluation early allows potential concerns to be identified sooner, giving couples more options and reassurance.

Myth 5:
“Birth Control Causes Permanent Infertility”

Why This Myth Exists

It’s understandable to wonder whether temporarily stopping ovulation could affect fertility in the long term.

This concern has circulated for decades, particularly around hormonal contraception, despite strong evidence showing otherwise.

What’s Actually Happening Inside Your Body?

Hormonal contraception works by temporarily changing the hormonal signals that control ovulation.

Depending on the method, it may:

• Prevent ovulation.
• Thicken cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
• Thin the lining of the uterus, reducing the likelihood of implantation.

These effects are designed to be reversible.

Once contraception is stopped, your body’s natural hormonal communication gradually resumes. For many women, fertility returns within a few months, although the timeline differs depending on the individual and the contraceptive method used.

From the Consulting Room

Questions about future fertility are some of the most common concerns we hear when discussing contraception. Having those conversations before choosing a contraceptive method helps women make decisions with confidence rather than fear. Understanding how each method works also allows for informed, confident decisions – not just today, but for your future plans too.

Why It Matters

Sometimes women stop contraception expecting pregnancy immediately. If it takes longer, they may assume contraception caused infertility.

More often, contraception has simply been masking an underlying condition such as PCOS, thyroid disease or endometriosis that only becomes apparent once natural cycles return.

We Say ‘Take A Moment’ To Think About It

If you’re planning a pregnancy in the future, there’s a lot to talk about. 

Consider asking your healthcare provider about:

• Pre-pregnancy health checks
• Folic acid supplementation
• Vaccinations
• Managing chronic medical conditions
• Lifestyle factors that support fertility

Preparing for pregnancy starts long before a positive pregnancy test.

Myth 6:
“You Can’t Get Pregnant During Your Period”

Why This Myth Exists

Many people learn that ovulation occurs around the middle of the menstrual cycle. While this is true for many women, cycles aren’t perfectly predictable.

Ovulation can vary from month to month, especially if cycles are naturally shorter or irregular.

What’s Actually Happening Inside Your Body?

Sperm can survive inside the female reproductive tract for up to five days.

If ovulation happens earlier than expected, sperm from intercourse during menstruation may still be present when an egg is released.

Although pregnancy during menstruation is less likely, it is certainly possible.

Why It Matters

Understanding fertility isn’t about memorising “safe days.” It’s about recognising that every cycle is unique.

If avoiding pregnancy is important, reliable contraception remains the safest approach.

Did You Know?

The often-quoted “28-day cycle” is only an average. Healthy adult menstrual cycles commonly range between 21 and 35 days, and they may vary slightly from month to month.

Myths About Preventive Healthcare

Many women think of healthcare as something you seek when you’re unwell. In reality, some of the most important appointments happen when you feel perfectly healthy.

Preventive healthcare isn’t about expecting something to be wrong—it’s about identifying changes early, monitoring your reproductive health and building a trusted relationship with your healthcare team throughout your life.

Myth 7:
“You Only Need a Gynaecologist If You’re Pregnant” 

Why This Myth Exists

For many women, their first experience with a gynaecologist happens during pregnancy. Antenatal appointments, scans and discussions around labour can make it easy to associate gynaecological care primarily with pregnancy and childbirth.

But pregnancy is only one chapter of women’s health.

A gynaecologist can support you through the years before pregnancy, the years when you’re deciding whether or not to have children, and the hormonal and reproductive changes that happen later in life.

You don’t need to be pregnant, trying to conceive or experiencing a serious problem to have a reason to see a gynaecologist.

What’s Actually Happening?

Your reproductive health changes throughout your life. Menstrual patterns can change, hormones fluctuate, contraception needs can evolve, and conditions affecting the uterus, ovaries or pelvic organs can develop at different stages.

A gynaecological consultation may involve something as straightforward as discussing a change in your menstrual cycle or choosing contraception, or something more complex such as investigating pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding or fertility concerns.

Appointments may focus on:

• Menstrual concerns or significant changes in your cycle
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Heavy or unexpected bleeding
• Contraception and family planning
• Fertility and pre-pregnancy health
• Cervical screening
• Ovarian or uterine concerns
• Fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Menopause and perimenopause
• Sexual and vaginal health

A consultation is also an opportunity to ask questions you may have been carrying for months—or even years. You don’t have to wait until a symptom becomes severe before bringing it up.

Why It Matters

Preventive healthcare gives you an opportunity to understand your baseline health and recognise changes earlier.

For example, a woman who knows what her usual menstrual cycle looks like may notice much sooner when her periods suddenly become heavier or irregular. A woman who has already established a relationship with her healthcare provider may also feel more comfortable discussing symptoms that can otherwise be difficult or embarrassing to talk about.

Healthcare isn’t only about treating illness once it appears. Sometimes, it is about having a conversation before a concern becomes a bigger problem.

From the Consulting Room

Many first-time patients tell us they weren’t sure if their concern was ‘serious enough’ to book an appointment. If something is affecting your health or your peace of mind, it’s worth discussing. You don’t need to wait until a problem becomes urgent before asking for help.

Take a Moment

Ask yourself:

• Is there a change in my cycle that I’ve been ignoring?
• Have I been experiencing pain that I’ve simply learned to live with?
• Is there something about contraception, fertility or sexual health I’ve wanted to ask but felt uncomfortable discussing?
• Have I been putting off an appointment because I wasn’t sure whether I “needed” one?

You don’t need to have all the answers before making an appointment.

Sometimes, the purpose of the appointment is simply to get them.

Myth 8:
“If I Feel Fine, I Don’t Need Cervical Screening”

Why This Myth Exists

We often associate healthcare with symptoms. If something hurts, we seek help. If we’re bleeding unexpectedly, we pay attention. If we’re tired or unwell, we look for an explanation. 

Cervical screening works differently. Its purpose is not to wait until you feel unwell. It is designed to identify changes in the cells of the cervix before they become a serious health problem.

This can make screening feel unnecessary when you feel completely healthy—but that’s precisely why preventive screening matters.

What’s Actually Happening Inside Your Body?

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Changes can occur in the cells of the cervix without causing pain, bleeding or any other noticeable symptoms. Cervical screening looks for these changes so that they can be monitored or treated when necessary. 

Many cervical cell changes develop gradually rather than appearing suddenly. This creates an important window in which healthcare professionals can identify abnormalities and intervene before they progress further. 

This is one reason cervical screening is fundamentally different from visiting a doctor because you have a symptom.You’re not necessarily looking for something that feels wrong. You’re looking for something you may not be able to feel at all.

Why It Matters

Feeling healthy is reassuring—but it isn’t the same as knowing that everything is healthy.

Preventive screening is about protecting your future health rather than reacting to a problem once symptoms appear. It’s also important to understand that screening and diagnostic testing are not the same thing.

Screening is offered to people who may have no symptoms, with the aim of identifying potential abnormalities early. Diagnostic care is used when symptoms or abnormal results require further investigation.

If you experience unusual bleeding, bleeding after sex, persistent pelvic pain or other concerning symptoms, don’t wait for your next routine screening appointment. Speak to a healthcare professional.

Did You Know?

Some of the earliest changes associated with cervical cancer can occur without any noticeable symptoms.

Routine healthcare is often about finding what you can’t yet feel.

From the Consulting Room

It’s natural to associate illness with symptoms. Preventive care works differently—it focuses on finding changes before they have the opportunity to cause problems. A screening appointment isn’t about expecting bad news; it’s about looking after your future health.

Take a Moment

Ask yourself:

• Do I know when my next cervical screening appointment is due?
• Have I postponed screening because I feel healthy?
• Do I know the difference between routine screening and seeing a doctor about a symptom?
• If I’ve had an abnormal screening result before, do I understand what my follow-up plan is?

If you’re unsure about when you should be screened, speak to your healthcare provider about the screening recommendations that apply to you.

Myth 9:
“Menopause Happens Overnight”

Why This Myth Exists

Menopause is often described as though it is a single moment: one day you have periods, and the next day they simply stop. The reality is much more gradual.

For many women, the transition begins years before their final menstrual period. This stage is called perimenopause, and it can bring changes that affect periods, sleep, mood, temperature regulation and sexual health.

Because these changes can develop gradually, women may not immediately connect them to changing reproductive hormones.

They may instead think they’re simply stressed, not sleeping well, getting older or struggling to keep up with everyday life.

What’s Actually Happening Inside Your Body?

Throughout the reproductive years, the ovaries produce hormones including oestrogen and progesterone, which help regulate the menstrual cycle and influence many other systems throughout the body.

As the ovaries gradually become less responsive and reproductive hormone production changes, menstrual cycles can become less predictable. This transition is perimenopause.

Eventually, menstrual periods stop completely. Menopause is defined retrospectively after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, provided there isn’t another explanation for the absence of menstruation.

For some women, the transition is relatively mild. For others, hormonal fluctuations can have a significant impact on everyday life.

Symptoms may include:

• Changes in menstrual cycle length or flow
• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood changes
• Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”
• Vaginal dryness
• Changes in sexual comfort or desire
• Joint or muscle aches
• Changes in energy levels

Not every woman will experience all of these symptoms, and their intensity can vary considerably.

Why It Matters

The idea that menopause “just happens” can leave women feeling that they have to tolerate whatever comes their way, but experiencing symptoms doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence.

Understanding that perimenopause can begin before periods stop can help women recognise changes earlier and seek appropriate support.It also gives women an opportunity to discuss symptoms in context rather than treating each one as an unrelated problem.

For example, a combination of changing periods, night sweats, disrupted sleep and mood changes may make much more sense when viewed together as part of a hormonal transition and menopause isn’t simply the end of fertility.

It is one stage in a much broader shift in women’s health, with implications for bone health, cardiovascular health, sexual wellbeing and quality of life.

Did You Know?

The transition towards menopause can begin before periods stop completely. Changes in your cycle may be one of the first signs that your reproductive hormones are beginning to fluctuate.

From the Consulting Room

Many women arrive wondering why they no longer feel like themselves, without realising they may be experiencing perimenopause. Understanding what’s happening can be incredibly reassuring—and it gives us an opportunity to talk about the support available rather than simply telling women to ‘push through’.

Take a Moment To Think About

If you’re experiencing changes, ask yourself:

• Has my period pattern changed noticeably?
• Am I waking regularly during the night or experiencing night sweats?
• Have I noticed changes in my mood, concentration or energy?
• Have symptoms started affecting my work, relationships or quality of life?
• Have I been assuming these changes are simply something I have to accept?

You don’t have to wait until your periods stop to ask questions about menopause.

Understanding the transition can be the first step towards navigating it with confidence.

The Common Thread Behind Every Myth

Although these myths cover different stages of life, they all have something in common. They encourage women to ignore symptoms, delay asking questions or believe that discomfort is simply something they should accept.

The reality is very different. Your body is constantly communicating with you. Knowledge about your body, no matter how uncommon or disturbing it might appear, doesn’t replace compassion. It strengthens it. 

Your menstrual cycle, hormone changes, pain, bleeding patterns and even subtle changes in energy or mood can all provide valuable information about your health. 

Understanding those signals doesn’t mean expecting something to be wrong.

They provide insight into the steps you can take to make your life better. This means recognising when something deserves attention—and knowing that asking questions is never overreacting. 

The Maxima Takeaway

Women’s health isn’t defined by one life stage, one diagnosis or one experience. It’s a lifelong journey that deserves curiosity, compassion and evidence-based care.

At Maxima Women’s Health, our goal is not simply to answer questions—it is to help women understand why their bodies work the way they do, recognise when something changes, and feel empowered to seek care without hesitation.

The more we replace myths with knowledge, the more confident women become in advocating for their own health. And that confidence has the power to improve not only individual lives, but the health of families, communities and future generations.

Continue Your Women’s Health Journey

Your body is always communicating with you—understanding those signals is the first step towards better health.

Whether you have questions about your menstrual cycle, fertility, contraception, menopause or a symptom that doesn’t feel right, the team at Maxima Women’s Health is here to provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your individual needs.

Book a consultation today and take the next step towards understanding your health with confidence.