Women’s health has long been under-researched, misunderstood and, at times, dismissed. From the invisible weight of mental load to the challenges of stress, hormonal changes and sleep, the reality of women’s health extends far beyond routine medical check-ups.
The House of Wellness Women’s Health Survey was created to bring these issues to light—capturing real experiences and identifying the key challenges Australian women face today.
While this survey highlights the health and wellbeing obstacles many Aussie women experience, it also points to a hopeful future—one where women’s health is better understood, supported and prioritised.
Though stress, fatigue, hormonal shifts and other barriers can feel overwhelming, the survey also reveals women are already finding ways to make meaningful change.
Many are turning to accessible, natural solutions for better sleep and prioritising their mental health.
The growing conversation around women’s health is a powerful step towards creating more inclusive, transparent and supportive initiatives.
The future is full of potential and with these insights, we have the opportunity to create a world where women’s health is front and centre.
We were thrilled to have 923 Australian women complete our 2025 survey to launch our first-ever The House of Wellness Women’s Health Month.
The findings reveal both the challenges and opportunities for change in women’s health and wellness.
In reviewing our survey results, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health chief executive Dr Sarah White noted: “We’re talking about it, and that’s a huge step. At a societal level, these conversations are happening more openly. That’s a really positive shift.” Our aim is that our
keyfindings FROM
THE 2025 WOMEN’S HEALTH SURVEY
REPRODUC TIVEHEALTH
STRESS & MENTAL LOAD
per cent 56 of working mums have argued with their spouse over mental load, with many women feeling unsupported in household responsibilities.
78% of menstruating women experience issues, and 65% of those who sought help felt their concerns weren’t adequately addressed.
of women don’t feel prepared for perimenopause or menopause
Women who listed finances as a major stressor were more likely to report feeling fatigued frequently and rate their overall health below
6 10 out of SKIN HEALTH & BEAUTY
60% OF WOMEN FEEL TIRED MOST OR ALL OF THE TIME, WITH STRESS AND ANXIETY BEING THE BIGGEST DISRUPTORS OF SLEEP.
38% of women are satisfied with their skin condition
34% of women feel beauty brands lack inclusivity and
HEALTH & WELLBEING
On average, women rated their general health at a six out of 10, but the reasons behind that lower score are telling. The biggest culprits? Stress, anxiety and mental load top the list, with many women also mentioning poor nutrition, poor sleep and significant life events like cancer or injury that are still affecting their lives. It’s clear that mental and emotional health are having a major impact on physical wellbeing.
478 PARTICIPANTS BELIEVE THE BIGGEST HEALTH AND WELLBEING ISSUES FOR WOMEN IN 2025 WILL REVOLVE AROUND STRESS, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.
These are the things women are most concerned about in the near future. But here’s where it gets interesting: women who reported finances as a top stressor were more likely to rate their overall health below six out of 10.
Not only that, but they also reported feeling fatigued either “often” or “all the time”, which shows just how much stress— especially around money—can take a toll on physical energy.
TOP BARRIERS TO WOMEN’S HEALTH & WELLBEING
TIME CONSTRAINTS
Work, family, caregiving and household duties make it difficult to prioritise health.
FINANCIAL STRAIN
The cost of medical care, gym memberships, healthy food and treatments.
CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS
Conditions like arthritis, chronic pain, diabetes, Hashimoto’s and menopause symptoms impact energy and mobility.
MENTAL HEALTH AND MOTIVATION
Anxiety, depression, stress and burnout make consistency a challenge.
HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND SUPPORT
Long wait times, affordability, lack of specialist access and feeling unheard by doctors make it harder to manage health.
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS AND FRUSTRATION
Slow progress, difficulty losing weight and lack of instant results can be discouraging.
“Financial limitations, time constraints, and the overwhelming nature of life leave me feeling stuck, unmotivated and unsure of how to make progress.”
“The biggest factor holding me back from achieving my health and wellbeing goals is my sedentary lifestyle. Sitting for long periods makes it harder to stay active, which affects my weight and overall health.”
“I prioritise my kids and making sure they are happy and healthy and all the housework is done.”
STRESS & MENTAL LOAD
Many women feel overwhelmed by the pressures of modern life, juggling work, family and personal responsibilities with little or no support from their partners. A major contributor to this mental load is the feeling of being alone at home, with partners not equally sharing household chores and other responsibilities. This lack of support can lead to increased stress and feelings of isolation, impacting their mental health further.
“I feel very frustrated at the mental load of household chores, etc and take out my stress and frustration on my partner.”
“Instead of feeling good and proud of myself for going to an exercise class, I feel bad for leaving my kids at home on their own with my husband, who will just leave them on their devices.”
PERCENTAGE OF MUMS WHO HAVE HAD CONFLICT WITH A PARTNER OVER MENTAL LOAD
49% of all mums
56% of working mums
58% of mums working full time
WHY WOMEN ARE FEELING THE PRESSURE
“Physical health is not too bad, but mental health is poor, which means I’m more likely to drink alcohol, which in turn makes things worse (sleep, mood, energy levels).”
“My partner does a lot of household tasks and complains about the load but I make all the decisions about what we eat, what we wear, etc.”
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
THE STRUGGLES OF NAVIGATING WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
1DISMISSAL AND LACK OF UNDERSTANDING
Women often feel dismissed by doctors, with symptoms downplayed as “normal” or “all in their head”, leading to delays in diagnosis for conditions like endometriosis, PCOS and PMDD.
2SPEAKING UP IS CRUCIAL
Many women must advocate for themselves to get proper care, pushing for diagnoses, second opinions and challenging dismissive doctors.
3LIMITED KNOWLEDGE AND STANDARD TREATMENTS
Doctors often offer generic, onesize-fits-all treatments like birth control, which don’t address underlying issues. A more holistic, personalised approach is needed but hard to find.
4FINANCIAL BARRIERS AND ACCESS ISSUES
Healthcare costs, including specialist visits and treatments, are a significant barrier, leaving many women to rely on less effective, over-the-counter solutions.
5LACK OF EDUCATION AND SUPPORT
There’s a need for better education on women’s health, including reproductive issues, perimenopause, and the mental health impacts of treatments, which is often missing from both schools and healthcare providers.
55% of respondents are not at all familiar with premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD).
PMDD is a severe form of PMS that causes extreme mood swings, anxiety, depression and physical symptoms before a period.
If women are not aware they have PMDD, they might just think that they have PMS or unexplained mood swings. This dismissal leaves PMDD untreated and can potentially make symptoms worse over time.
“I know very little about what’s to come and assume my partner knows even less.”
OF WOMEN WHO MENSTRUATE, 78% EXPERIENCE DISCOMFORT OR IRREGULARITIES IN THEIR MENSTRUAL CYCLE. BUT ONLY 22% REPORT GETTING CLEAR ANSWERS FROM HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
PMDD symptoms start 1-2 weeks before a menstrual period and can include:
● Tiredness or low energy
● Change in appetite
● Feeling tense and anxious
● Extreme or sudden mood changes and increased irritability
● Trouble concentrating
● Sore or swollen breasts
● Bloating and weight gain
● Feeling overwhelmed or out of control
Source: Jean Hailes for Women’s Health
“I was in no way prepared for perimenopause while doctors said I was too young even though I have the symptoms.” “Two years ago I suspected I was in perimenopause and if it wasn’t for my own research and constant reading of books, etc I would not have been prepared but I definitely am now. I try to explain to my husband but I don’t think he gets it.”
ENERGY & SLEEP
STRESS AND ANXIETY SEEM TO BE MAJOR CULPRITS WHEN IT COMES TO SLEEP DISRUPTIONS—689 RESPONDENTS MENTIONED THESE AS TOP FACTORS KEEPING THEM UP AT NIGHT.
Alot of the participants (41%) shared that they often feel tired or low on energy, with 19% saying they feel that way all the time. It highlights how much exhaustion is affecting women, which likely comes from factors such as hormonal shifts, a busy work-life balance, and the responsibilities of caregiving.
While 44% of respondents say they prioritise their mental health over physical health, nearly half (48%) don’t practise any stress-relief techniques. Instead, when it comes to improving sleep, many have turned to simple, natural solutions like cutting back on caffeine, drinking sleep tea, or taking melatonin.
In a world where we are becoming so consumed with skincare and beauty products, it can be overwhelming when it comes to selecting the right ones for your skin type. More than 375 respondents say they feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing skincare and beauty products for their skin type.
The top 3 skin concerns were wrinkles and fine lines, dry skin and undereye bags. The habits and lifestyle factors that respondents report have the most impact on their skin health are lack of sleep, dehydration and increased stress.
SKIN HEALTH & BEAUTY
$150-$200
$100-$150
How much do you typically spend on skincare every month? and
$50-$100
34% of women feel beauty brands lack inclusivity $200+
$0-$50
38% of women are satisfied with their skin condition
KEY CONCERNS IN BEAUTY AND SKINCARE INDUSTRY
YOUTH-CENTRIC INDUSTRY
“Anti-ageing products should not be marketed to 20-year-olds.” — survey participant There’s a strong sentiment against the use of young models for products targeting mature skin. Consumers want age-appropriate marketing for anti-ageing products.
INCLUSIVITY AND REPRESENTATION
“We need more products made for brown skin girls and make-up brands that match our skin tones.” — survey participant A recurring theme is the need for more diversity in product offerings and campaigns that represent a wide range of skin tones, ages, and body types.
HONESTY, TRANSPARENCY AND REALISTIC CLAIMS
“I’d really like to see less BS promises. Science does not support a lot of beauty claims!” — survey participant Consumers are calling for more transparency in marketing, with a desire for realistic product claims and less over-promising.
