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The results of the IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic national survey are in
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Women have spoken and the results are illuminating. From hormones and menopause to mental health and everyday habits, the IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic survey is uncovering what matters most and where women feel seen, supported and still searching for answers.
Women talk. We talk to one another in kitchens and group chats, in quiet corners and crowded rooms. We share worries, information, what hurts, what’s changing, and what no one warned us about. We ask questions. We offer advice. We compare notes. This is how we’ve always understood ourselves – by talking to one another.
Now, we’re talking to all women and listening closely.
The IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic is a new content and podcast series built on the conversations we’re already having and the ones we need to start. We’re lifting the lid on women’s health: the real, the raw, the rarely spoken aloud.
Right now, we’re conducting a nationwide survey to better understand the realities of female health today. Over 1,400 women, aged from 20 to 70 plus, have participated so far, sharing their experiences, concerns and insights from reproductive health and mental well-being, to chronic conditions and preventive care.
The results are enlightening, often surprising, and always important, highlighting what women are facing, what questions remain unanswered, and where the most urgent conversations need to begin.
What women told us
Access and Support
Most women – 64% – have private health insurance. Yet, almost a third of them don’t use private hospitals. It seems that having coverage doesn’t always translate to access or comfort with care.
Feeling informed and empowered
When it comes to making informed decisions about their health, only about a third of women felt fully confident, while over half felt only somewhat informed. Many women highlighted a need for more guidance on menopause and perimenopause, a stage of life often overlooked.
Where are women turning for information? The majority (78%) rely on GPs or specialists, while friends and family are also important sources for 60% of respondents. Digital content like podcasts and blogs reach nearly one in five women, showing that a mix of trusted advice and modern media is shaping how women learn about their health.
Experience with health topics
When it comes to health challenges, women’s experiences are varied and deeply personal.
The issue that affected the most respondents was painful periods and menstrual problems, with 42% saying this has had the biggest impact on their lives. Hormonal imbalances, including conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, affected nearly a quarter (24%) of women, while 12.5% faced difficulties getting pregnant.
Life stages and long-term health concerns also featured strongly: menopause and perimenopause affected 37%, highlighting the need for better information and support during this transition. Women are also thinking broadly about wellness. Gut health was cited by 40%, mental health by 31%, and skin and hair health by 34%. A smaller, but important, portion (14.6%) focused on pelvic floor concerns, reflecting issues that often remain unspoken.
These insights show that women are managing a complex mix of health topics, from daily discomforts to long-term changes, and that support and information must be equally comprehensive.
Curiosity and focus
When it comes to health, women are thinking ahead and asking big questions about their well-being. The majority (73%) are curious about how to age well and protect their future health, showing a strong focus on long-term wellness.
Hormones are also top of mind for 54%, as women seek to understand how they influence everything from mood to metabolism. Energy and resilience matter too: 61% want strategies to boost energy and reduce burnout. Preventing serious illnesses, such as cancer, is a priority for 51%, while nearly half (47%) are exploring gut health and digestion. Even as women navigate midlife transitions, 28% are looking for more guidance on menopause.
These numbers reveal a health-conscious generation that is proactive, curious and eager for practical guidance to support both everyday vitality and long-term wellness.
Health habits and concerns
When reflecting on their day-to-day relationship with health, many women acknowledge the challenge of balancing awareness with life’s demands. For 42%, they pay attention to their health but admit that busy schedules make it hard to keep it top of mind. About a third (34%) actively monitor and check in on their health on a regular basis. Meanwhile, 22% take a more reactive approach, tending to focus on health only when issues arise.
This highlights that while women are conscious of their well-being, everyday responsibilities often make proactive health management a balancing act.
When it comes to daily routines, women are taking tangible steps to support their well-being. Healthy eating is a focus for 64%, while regular exercise and movement are part of life for 65%. Many also prioritise supplements and probiotics (63%) to fill nutritional gaps, and over half (52%) pay attention to getting enough sleep.
These habits show that women are actively managing multiple aspects of their health, combining nutrition, activity, supplementation and rest to maintain balance and vitality.
Despite actively managing their health, many women still carry concerns about specific areas. Over half (54%) are worried about weight and metabolic issues, while nearly half (49%) are concerned about anxiety, stress, and low mood. Hormonal balance is also a key worry, affecting 41% of respondents.
These results reveal that even among women who engage in healthy habits, underlying concerns about physical and mental well-being remain significant, highlighting the need for guidance and support in these areas.
Feeling seen and heard
When it comes to experiences with healthcare practitioners, many women feel only partially acknowledged. A majority (59%) said they feel somewhat seen and heard, while 22% feel this always, and 14% said rarely.
Concerns about being dismissed are also common: nearly half (46%) reported that they have felt not taken seriously more than once, while a third (34%) feel they have been well supported.
These findings highlight a critical gap in healthcare: while some women feel supported, many still struggle to have their experiences and concerns fully recognised.
Join The Conversation: Your Story Matters
At IMAGE, we’ve always believed in the power of women talking to one another, be it in kitchens, in group chats, in quiet corners and crowded rooms.
Now, we want to open that circle to every woman.
We’re asking you to share your own health story with us. Whether it’s something you’ve spoken about often or something you’ve carried silently, your experience has the power to help another woman feel seen, heard, and understood.
Over the coming months, we’ll select several stories to feature across IMAGE platforms – shining a light on the realities of women’s health and lifting the lid on the experiences that often go unheard.
This is a movement for truth, empowerment, and progress. And we want you to be part of it.
Share your story with us by filling out the form below or emailing womenshealth@image.ie.
To stay up to date on our latest expert-led articles, insights, podcast episodes and more, visit the IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic Hub.
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