An evidence-based, holistic health guide for women at every stage of life, created by Luma's women's health experts.

Women aren’t always told what’s coming — or what they’re entitled to ask for. Luma brought together its counsellors, mental health workers, dietitians and health promotion team to write down what women need to know at every decade of life — from a first period to healthy ageing beyond 60.

The result is a 40-page guide covering hormones, mental health, body image, contraception, fertility, perimenopause, menopause, pelvic floor health and the health checks recommended at each stage.

It’s written in plain Australian English, referenced throughout, and free to read, download, print and share.

What's inside:

  • 6 life stages: teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s and beyond, each with what changes and why.
  • A health check schedule for every decade: what to have, and how often, from cervical screening at 25 to bone density testing at 70.
  • What’s normal, and what’s worth getting checked: from painful periods and pelvic pain to hot flushes and urinary leakage, the guide is clear about what you shouldn’t have to just put up with.
  • Hormones explained without the jargon: what oestrogen and progesterone are doing in your teens, how things shift in your 30s, and what perimenopause and menopause actually feel like.
  • Mental health at every age: body image and eating disorders in the teen years, health anxiety in your 20s, perinatal mental health and the mental load in your 30s, mood through perimenopause, and loneliness and connection after 60.
  • How to advocate for yourself in a health setting: practical steps for preparing for an appointment, tracking symptoms, and asking for a second opinion.
  • Culturally safe and affirming information: for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, trans and gender-diverse people, and women from migrant and refugee communities.
  • Wisdom from the Luma team: advice from the counsellors, mental health workers and dietitians who support WA women every day.
  • Where to reach out: 13 Western Australian and national support services, with direct contact details.

Which topics are covered?

In your teens: Puberty and when periods usually start (between 9 and 15), oestrogen and progesterone, choosing period products, brain development, body image and eating disorders, screen time, gender identity, and consent. In Western Australia, the age of consent is 16.

In your 20s: Tracking your cycle and its four phases, PMOS, pelvic pain and endometriosis, peak bone mass and why this decade sets up lifelong bone health, health anxiety, recognising safe and unsafe relationships, and finding affirming care as a trans or non-binary person.

In your 30s: The hormonal shift of the 30s, fibroids, fertility and the many paths to parenthood, pregnancy and postpartum recovery, perinatal mental health, the mental load, sleep, and how to advocate for yourself in a health setting.

In your 40s: The signs of perimenopause, body image and metabolism, urinary leakage, pelvic floor health, weight-bearing and resistance exercise, alcohol and emotional regulation, and mood through the transition.

In your 50s: Menopause signs, symptoms and care, bone health and vitamin D, how heart attack symptoms present differently in women, and the unpaid caring load.

In your 60s: Nutrition in later life, falls prevention, post-menopausal symptoms, incontinence, sexual health and STI prevention in older age, loneliness, cognitive vitality, home modifications and how to access aged care support.

Check with your doctor for individual guidance — you may need more or less frequent testing depending on your risk factors. If you’re Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, some health screenings start earlier and happen more often, and Medicare rebates for preventive health checks are available at any age through an annual health assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Guide to Women’s Health at Every Stage of Life? It’s a free 40-page health literacy booklet published by Luma, a not-for-profit women’s health organisation in Western Australia. The guide is organised by decade — teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s and beyond — and covers hormones, mental health, body image, contraception, fertility, perimenopause, menopause, pelvic floor health, healthy ageing and the health checks recommended at each life stage.

Is the guide free? Yes. It’s free to read online, free to download as a PDF, and free to print and share. However, we charge a fee if you’d like to order bulk copies for your workplace, school or organisation: contact marketing@luma.org.au to enquire, this depends on availability.

Who wrote it? The guide was produced by Luma with contributions from its own clinical, counselling and health promotion staff.

Where does the information come from? The guide draws on published sources including Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Healthdirect, the Australasian Menopause Society, the Butterfly Foundation, the World Health Organization, Orygen and the Heart Foundation. Every section is referenced, with the full reference list in the back of the booklet.

Is the information current? The guide was published in 2025 and draws on sources published between 2018 and 2025. Screening recommendations change over time — always confirm current guidance with your GP or health practitioner.

Does the guide replace medical advice? No. The guide is for general education purposes only. Every woman is unique, so individual guidance from a qualified health professional is important. Consult a health practitioner for personal advice, diagnosis or treatment, and never delay seeking proper care.

Does it include information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women? Yes. The guide covers health conditions that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women at higher rates, earlier recommended screening ages, and culturally safe support services including 13YARN and headspace Yarn Safe.

Does it include information for trans and gender-diverse people? Yes. The guide includes information on finding affirming and inclusive care, and offers information on the higher rates of mental ill-health experienced by young trans people, with referral pathways to support.

Can I order printed copies? Yes. Contact Luma on (08) 6330 5400 or marketing@luma.org.au to enquire about printed copies for your clinic, school, workplace or community group. While this is available for free online, and individual printed copies are available for our clients and community, bulk orders will need to cover the costs of designing, printing and maintaining the booklet

Is it only relevant to women in Western Australia? The health information applies to women across Australia and follows Australian national screening guidance. The support service directory in the back of the booklet lists Western Australian services specifically.

How do I cite the guide? Luma. A guide to women’s health at every stage of life. Perth: Luma; 2025.