Women's Health

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#Womens Health

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Jane Cowan: 'You will never see me hide a tampon up my sleeve as I walk to the bathroom. Or catch me coughing to disguise the sound of a pad ripping open in a public toilet cubicle.'</p>

people

Diary of a Gen Z Student: No shame in menstruation. Period

Unfortunately for me and everyone else in my life, I’m just a little more feral during those desperate few days. One practice of mine that probably doesn’t help is that I refuse to keep track of my cycle or symptoms

<p>The percentage of female prisoners self-harming (12.7%) was substantially higher than male prisoners (2.9%). Picture: iStock </p>

politics

Women in Irish prisons four times more likely to self harm than male inmates

<p>Joanne McNamara, Niamh Motherway, Sarah Ann Brenner, and Dr Olena Holub are working to increase cervical screening awareness and uptake among women from the Ukrainian community during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Pictures: Chani Anderson</p>

news

East Cork clinic part of the 'bigger picture' in bringing cervical cancer care to vulnerable groups

Two injectors dosing pens for subcutaneous injection of antidiabetic medication or anti-obesity medication hovering over a blue

spotlight

Ozempic, Hollywood and the new war on weight: what lies behind the wonder drug

HSE's free contraception scheme 'should be expanded'

news

HSE's free contraception scheme 'should be expanded'

HER VOICE PROJECT; ENDOMETRIOSIS

ourview

Irish Examiner view: Urgent need to fix flaws in endometriosis scheme

HER VOICE PROJECT; ENDOMETRIOSIS

'I found out I couldn't have children in July because of how extensive things are'

Women protest outside the Dáil over gaps in care

Thu, 22 Jan, 2026

No surge in new patients as free HRT scheme costs €14m in first four months

No surge in new patients as free HRT scheme costs €14m in first four months

Scheme only opened in June after questions were raised around how it would roll out across pharmacies

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Tributes paid to inspirational breast cancer campaigner Ziva Cussen following her death at 24

Tributes paid to inspirational breast cancer campaigner Ziva Cussen following her death at 24

Ziva, who died aged 24 at the weekend, became a tireless advocate for cancer patients after her own experience of diagnosis delays

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

'Clear as mud' application process for endometriosis treatment putting women off, advocates say

'Clear as mud' application process for endometriosis treatment putting women off, advocates say

Lisa Walsh, co-founder of support group My Voice Project, says she has heard 'that consultants here in Ireland are refusing to sign the paperwork or referrals to access the appropriate care abroad'

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Mammogram - Derby City Hospital

Breast cancer: Limerick and Kerry among worst affected counties in survival rate ‘postcode lottery’

Breast cancer survival rates are as much as 14% lower in some counties than others with Limerick, Kerry, and Mayo among the worst areas in the country

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

‘In Myanmar, I could feed my children. I can’t do the same here’

‘In Myanmar, I could feed my children. I can’t do the same here’

From 2026, funding for humanitarian aid to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh will be halved, writes Eilis Staunton

Thu, 15 Jan, 2026

mouth checkup oral hygiene. white healthy woman teeth and dentist mirror. closeup

Department defends commitment to oral health policy despite no date for implementation plan

The national oral health policy, Smile Agus Sláinte, aims to provide supports for everyone to have healthy teeth and reduce inequalities in healthcare

Thu, 08 Jan, 2026

Women's voices are being silenced on social media — here's what I'm doing about it

Women's voices are being silenced on social media — here's what I'm doing about it

Chief executive of CensHERship Clio Wood is on a mission to tackle digital suppression of women’s health content across social media platforms

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Ireland's support is crucial in tackling Kenya’s femicide crisis

Ireland's support is crucial in tackling Kenya’s femicide crisis

Irish Aid funding is making a difference to women’s lives in Kenya

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

‘Five years is nothing’: Parents explain why Christmas grief after baby loss never fades

‘Five years is nothing’: Parents explain why Christmas grief after baby loss never fades

Bereaved parents share why Christmas grief never fades and how small, thoughtful gestures can offer real comfort

Wed, 31 Dec, 2025

Aucklanders Encouraged To Vaccinate As Measles Cases Continue To Rise

'Major public health achievements' seen across the world despite cuts to humanitarian funding

New treatments have brought positive news during a tumultuous time across the world

Sat, 27 Dec, 2025

Hospital Hallway with Doctors, Nurses and Specialists in Hospital. Female and Male Physicians, Surgeons, Healthcare Officials Wa

Hospital visiting restrictions remain as total number of flu patients dips below 700

HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry cautioned cases could rise again as people socialise more over the holiday period

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

HSE head unable to clarify when Portiuncula hospital will resume care for high-risk pregnancies

HSE head unable to clarify when Portiuncula hospital will resume care for high-risk pregnancies

It means 'between about 250 and 300 women' with specific clinical issues are seen instead in Galway or Mullingar hospitals

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Family seek first inquest of its kind here after 'reservations' over autopsy of woman who died in CUMH

Family seek first inquest of its kind here after 'reservations' over autopsy of woman who died in CUMH

Stephy Ouseph died last year after a caesarean birth and her family have 'grave reservations about the adequacy' of the autopsy

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Cancer patients urged to call triage helplines to avoid A&E over Christmas

Cancer patients urged to call triage helplines to avoid A&E over Christmas

The pandemic phoneline system has been expanded to include two nurses per service across 26 hospitals in Ireland

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Colorful medicines closeup on white background

Government accused of being 'Scrooge-like' over plans for blister pack pharmacy charges

People may be charged up to €50 a month from January for blister-pack medication

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

1995 Divorce Referendum

S Fergus Finlay: Raise a glass to 30 years of divorce in Ireland

Mervyn Taylor was the most hard-working and diffident minister I've ever known — it's thanks to his hard work that thousands of people have been freed from miserable marriages since 1995

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

€250m nursing home PPP project still empty as delays push first residents to 2026

€250m nursing home PPP project still empty as delays push first residents to 2026

A €250m PPP project to deliver seven modern nursing homes is running years late, with only two units handed over and none yet occupied

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

Ultra processed foods study

It's official: Ultra-processed foods are harmful and these are the next steps we must take

The evidence is clear on ultra-processed foods' harmful role in our diets — it's time we made manufacturers shape up or pay, writes Catherine Conlon

Fri, 21 Nov, 2025

General practitioner doing blood test

Pinprick blood test could detect disease 10 years before symptoms appear, study finds

Molecular profiles will give detailed snapshot of person’s physiology and predict diseases from diabetes to cancer and dementia

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

'I hope I can get the surgery I need. I don’t want to lose my leg'

'I hope I can get the surgery I need. I don’t want to lose my leg'

Meath woman Sarah Costello's injuries resulted from a procedure she underwent in Northern Ireland through the NTPF and she says she has since received inadequate care back home

Sun, 16 Nov, 2025

Mother says Camino walk had life-changing impact on her after daughter’s suicide

Mother says Camino walk had life-changing impact on her after daughter’s suicide

Week-long pilgrimage in Spain gave Tracey Monaghan the opportunity to talk about her daughter and remember her openly

Sun, 16 Nov, 2025

Mounjaro injections

Up to 80,000 people in Ireland may qualify for State-funded weight-loss injections

A forthcoming HSE assessment will determine who qualifies for Mounjaro, with access likely restricted to high-risk patients due to cost

Sat, 15 Nov, 2025

Good Bill of Health

Jennifer Horgan: Femtech has finally discovered the bleedin' obvious

The neglect of women’s health, the health of every second person, is baked into medical science, writes Jennifer Horgan

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025

Photo of newborn baby feet

Having babies later is a consequence of modern life

When I was pregnant with my first baby in my mid-30s, I felt like a teen mum and was surprised the midwives weren't commenting on how young I was, writes Margaret Donnellan

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Women with incontinence 'are crying their eyes out, they don’t want to go abroad' for surgery

Women with incontinence 'are crying their eyes out, they don’t want to go abroad' for surgery

Use of vaginal mesh implants has been paused here since 2018 but the HSE can reimburse women for surgery in other countries

Mon, 03 Nov, 2025

‘It was one up for the women’: Mary ‘May’ McGee's family to celebrate her life at funeral

‘It was one up for the women’: Mary ‘May’ McGee's family to celebrate her life at funeral

Mary ‘May’ McGee and her husband Séamus took on the State to successfully challenge the ban on contraception

Fri, 31 Oct, 2025

Close up shot of young couple hugging at window

Workplaces have a role in dealing with pregnancy loss

Recognising pregnancy loss as a workplace issue and in working lives is essential, writes Professor Keelin O’Donoghue

Thu, 30 Oct, 2025

Tributes pour in for Mary 'May' McGee whose Supreme Court case helped end contraception ban

Tributes pour in for Mary 'May' McGee whose Supreme Court case helped end contraception ban

Tributes have been paid to Mary ‘May’ McGee, whose 1973 Supreme Court victory transformed Ireland’s laws on contraception and women’s rights

Wed, 29 Oct, 2025

Cork endometriosis patient calls for further expansion of supports

Cork endometriosis patient calls for further expansion of supports

Ireland’s first endometriosis framework aims to create a clearer care pathway and assist GPs in referring women for specialist treatment

Wed, 29 Oct, 2025

Mental health survey

Gareth O'Callaghan: Suicide leaves behind so many unanswered questions for loved ones

Suicide is not a natural end to a life well lived, and it leaves a mark on everyone who encounters it

Sat, 25 Oct, 2025

Endometriosis framework welcomed as 'a good first step'

Endometriosis framework welcomed as 'a good first step'

There has been a mixed reception to the publication of Ireland's first national framework for endometriosis treatment

Wed, 22 Oct, 2025

Family ‘haunted’ as inquest hears sepsis fears in UHL miscarriage death were not acted on

Family ‘haunted’ as inquest hears sepsis fears in UHL miscarriage death were not acted on

The family of Leona Cusack told an inquest they are 'haunted' by fears sepsis was missed before her death.

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Women less likely to get dementia if they take HRT after menopause, Irish study says

Women less likely to get dementia if they take HRT after menopause, Irish study says

However, women who have early menopause face an increased risk of dementia, the study suggests

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Mature Caucasian Female Patient and Asian Female Doctor in Doctor's Office

'Your symptoms are part of being a woman': UCC study to explore diagnostic delays for women

Women in Ireland wait years for diagnosis of chronic health conditions — we need to focus on listening

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

How to recognise urinary tract infections and prevent recurring UTIs

How to recognise urinary tract infections and prevent recurring UTIs

It is vital to prevent and properly treat urinary tract infections and it is also important to recognise the symptoms of a UTI, the experts tell Gemma Fullam

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

UCC to become first university in Ireland to introduce pregnancy loss policy

UCC to become first university in Ireland to introduce pregnancy loss policy

While pregnancy loss affects approximately one in every four pregnancies, there are currently no statutory leave entitlements for pregnancy loss before 23 weeks

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

Sarah Harte: Being proactive and vocal is key to women's health outcomes

Sarah Harte: Being proactive and vocal is key to women's health outcomes

After a scare of her own, Sarah Harte learns that women who miss their first breast cancer screening appointment are 40% more likely to die from the disease

Wed, 08 Oct, 2025

HSE CEO claims 'previously hidden need' behind surge in gynaecology waiting lists

HSE CEO claims 'previously hidden need' behind surge in gynaecology waiting lists

Of the 567 teenagers on the waiting list, 18 have been waiting longer than 18 months, the Oireachtas Health Committee heard

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

Image of modern fireplace, woodburning stove, coal buckets, log basket

Indoor wood burners cause damage 'in a similar way to cigarette smoke'

Study links the growing popularity of domestic wood burning to lung damage

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Health insurance

Health insurance premiums rise 11% to an average of €1,830

VHI remains the dominant player in Ireland with 48.3% of the market, followed by Laya

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Worried single pregnant woman worrying about her future

HSE homebirth service audit finds no agreed national standard for travel time, says advocacy group

Kara Spratt, from Births Rights Alliance Ireland, previously organised public demonstrations in support of homebirth services in Cork to protect its future

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025

HIV IRELAND CONFERENCE

HIV resources 'haven't proportionally scaled up' alongside advances in treatment, says expert

Cork and Kerry share one HIV clinic, which is 'stretched', Cork Sexual Health Centre's fast-track cities programme manager Tara Russell told the 'Irish Examiner'

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025

Working mom breastfeeding baby with laptop on the couch

Breastfeeding is tricky to talk about, but we must show support

New mothers don’t need your judgement on how they feed their babies, but if they do decide they want to breastfeed they need your support

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025