Health Check

Your health and wellbeing matter at every stage of life.
Taking time to check in with your body, attend routine appointments, and speak up when something doesn’t feel right can make a real difference to your long-term health.

Whether it’s booking a smear test, checking your breasts, managing menopause symptoms, or simply prioritising your wellbeing, support is available and you do not have to navigate it alone.

Breast Health

Being familiar with your breasts and noticing any changes early is important. Breast changes are common and are not always cancer, but it is always best to get any new or unusual symptoms checked by a GP.

Signs to look out for:

• A lump or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit
• Changes in breast size or shape
• Skin dimpling or puckering
• Redness or rash around the nipple
• Nipple discharge
• A nipple turning inward unexpectedly
• Persistent pain in one area of the breast

Breast screening

NHS breast screening is offered routinely to women aged 50 to 70, helping to detect cancer early before symptoms appear. Women over 70 can still request screening appointments.

Looking after yourself

Checking your breasts regularly helps you notice what is normal for you. There is no “right” way to check — the key is simply becoming familiar with your body.

Cervical Screening (Smear Tests)

Cervical screening is one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer. It checks for certain types of HPV (human papillomavirus) that can cause changes to cells in the cervix.

Many women feel nervous or embarrassed about smear tests, but appointments are quick, confidential, and carried out by trained healthcare professionals who understand these concerns.

Who is invited?

• Ages 25–49: every 3 years
• Ages 50–64: every 5 years

It’s important to attend even if:

• You’ve had the HPV vaccine
• You are not currently sexually active
• You have gone through menopause
• You feel completely well

If you feel anxious about your appointment

You can:

• Ask for a female clinician
• Bring someone with you for support
• Request adjustments if you have experienced trauma, anxiety or pain

You deserve to feel safe, listened to and respected during healthcare appointments.

Menopause & Perimenopause

Perimenopause and menopause affect every woman differently. Symptoms can begin years before periods stop completely and can impact physical health, emotional wellbeing, sleep, relationships and confidence.

Common symptoms include:

• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Changes to periods
• Anxiety or low mood
• Brain fog or memory problems
• Difficulty sleeping
• Joint aches and muscle pain
• Headaches
• Reduced confidence or self-esteem
• Vaginal dryness or discomfort

For some women, symptoms can feel overwhelming and affect work, parenting and everyday life.

Support is available

You do not have to “just get on with it.” Support may include:

• Lifestyle changes
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
• Mental health support
• Sleep and wellbeing advice
• Workplace adjustments

Speaking openly with a GP or healthcare professional can help you find the right support for you.

Periods, Pelvic Pain & Intimate Health

Many women live with symptoms for years believing they are “normal” or something they simply have to tolerate. Persistent pain, heavy bleeding or ongoing discomfort should never be ignored.

Speak to a healthcare professional if you experience:

• Heavy or painful periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Bleeding after sex
• Ongoing pelvic pain
• Pain during sex
• Unusual discharge
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Persistent bloating or abdominal discomfort

Conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS and pelvic floor issues are common and support is available.

Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing

Women’s health is not only physical. Stress, anxiety, burnout, trauma and emotional exhaustion can all affect wellbeing.

You may spend so much time caring for others that your own health comes last but your wellbeing matters too.

Signs you may need support:

• Feeling overwhelmed or constantly exhausted
• Struggling to sleep
• Feeling anxious or low most days
• Loss of confidence
• Difficulty coping with everyday life
• Feeling isolated or withdrawn

Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Your Safety Matters Too

Sometimes health concerns are connected to what is happening at home.

If you are feeling frightened, controlled, isolated, threatened, or unsafe in a relationship or family environment, support is available. Domestic abuse can affect physical health, emotional wellbeing, confidence and access to healthcare.

You do not need to be in immediate crisis to ask for help.

Support from Broxtowe Women’s Project

Broxtowe Women’s Project provides confidential support for women and children affected by domestic abuse.

We can support with:

• Emotional support and wellbeing
• Safety planning
• Housing and practical advice
• Outreach support
• Children and family support
• Signposting to specialist services

If you would like to speak to someone confidentially, please call us on either 07914634190 or 01773 719111. Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (except weekends and bank holidays).

If we can’t take your call there is a confidential answerphone you can use and our outreach workers will get back to you as soon as possible.

Getting help for domestic abuse click here 

In an emergency

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, always call 999.