Too often, women put the needs of others ahead of their own, especially when it comes to the health and well-being of their loved ones. They schedule paediatric appointments around work meetings, research specialists for ageing parents, remind partners to book their annual check-ups and ensure their kids don’t miss their six-monthly dental appointments. Yet when it comes to their own wellness visits, too often they postpone them in favour of something more pressing.
The truth is, your health is your greatest asset and making time for checkups isn’t selfish. It’s smart, necessary, and often life-changing. So as we celebrate Women’s Month, maybe it’s time to flip the script and remember that putting your health first isn’t a luxury. It’s vital – and one of the best gifts you can give your family.
It starts with being proactive. “One of the most powerful things anyone can do for their health is to catch any irregularities early – before they become full-blown issues. And testing for them doesn’t have to be a hassle,” says Tyron Hansen, Business Development Manager at BioSmart, a clinical pathology lab offering affordable at-home testing and fast disease screening. “In fact, the biggest barrier to regular health checks isn’t necessarily cost or complexity – it’s convenience.”
This is borne out by recent NIH studies showing that women offered at-home cervical cancer screening kits were more than twice as likely to complete their screenings compared to those receiving only clinic-based reminders.
Hansen outlines four key at-home tests that offer a practical starting point for taking charge of your health, whilst reminding users to always consult a doctor if any results raise concerns.
1. Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the most important – and most preventable – health risks women can screen for. It often develops without symptoms and is usually caused by high-risk HPV strains that many carry unknowingly. The good news? Early detection means you can act before it ever develops into cancer. With self-sampling kits, you can collect your own sample safely and privately at home, no clinic visit needed, and results are typically back within days. One easy step that could protect your health, your fertility, even your life.
2. Hormonal
Hormonal changes can cause mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, and irregular periods which many women chalk up to stress or age. In truth, hormone imbalances are common and treatable, but left unchecked, they can affect fertility, bone health, mood, and mental well-being. A simple test measures hormone levels like17-β-Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA – all crucial to sleep, metabolism, and reproductive health – and brings helpful clarity. So, whether you’re planning a family or just want to feel like yourself again, this is an easy way to start.
3. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Many STIs show no symptoms but are far from harmless. Left untreated, infections like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis can quietly cause long-term damage, including infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and a higher risk of HIV. So why don’t more women get tested? Often, it’s fear of judgement, embarrassment, or just the discomfort of a clinic visit. At-home STI tests change that. Collect a vaginal swab or finger-prick blood sample (test dependent), in your own time and space, then send it to a certified lab. Results arrive in a few days. No awkwardness. Just clarity – empowering you to take control.
4. Stress and Adrenal Health
Stress impacts more than your mood. It disrupts sleep, digestion, hormone balance, and immune resilience. For many women, chronic stress is a daily reality. This pressure can manifest as irregular menstrual cycles, fatigue, anxiety, weight gain, and burnout. If you feel constantly tired or overwhelmed, adrenal testing – which measures cortisol and related hormone levels – offers insight into determining if medical assistance is required. All it takes is a saliva test performed four times throughout a single day to measure your cortisol levels and determine if they’re within normal range.”
“Women are expected to keep going, to be everything to everyone,” Hansen notes. “But your body deserves attention, too. These tests give you real data and clarity – a genuine starting point for self-care. You don’t need to wait for something to go wrong or feel unwell to make your health a priority. Testing isn’t about fear. It’s about freedom. And it starts with knowing – because knowledge is power,” he concludes.
To explore more about BioSmart’s easy, reliable at-home tests, please visit https://biosmart.com/.