Across the world, women’s wellness is finally moving from whispered conversations to mainstream dialogue. Yet, stigma continues to shape how women talk about — and seek help for — their health. Whether it’s menstrual health in a workplace meeting, postpartum depression at a family gathering, or burnout in an office setting, women are still too often met with silence, minimization, or misunderstanding.
This silence is costly. In 2025, global data shows that 1 in 3 women report mental or physical wellness concerns they do not discuss openly — not with employers, not with doctors, and often not even with friends. In the Netherlands, surveys by RIVM show that 51% of young women describe their mental health as only “moderate,” while GP visits for stress-related complaints have risen sharply compared to pre-pandemic years. And yet, the stigma of admitting exhaustion, anxiety, or menstrual challenges lingers.
Stigma is not only cultural; it is structural. It is woven into healthcare systems, workplace policies, and social norms that still expect women to manage invisible loads in silence.
The question is no longer whether stigma exists. It’s what we do to dismantle it.
Where the Stigma Begins
The stigma around women’s wellness has deep roots. For centuries, women’s bodies were medicalized, pathologized, or dismissed. The word “hysteria” itself, once a medical diagnosis, comes from the Greek word for uterus — reducing women’s mental health struggles to a supposed flaw in their biology.
Fast forward to the 20th century: while progress has been made, echoes of this history remain. Women reporting chronic pain are still more likely to be told it’s “stress-related.” Menstrual leave is debated as a “perk” rather than recognized as a basic health necessity. Postpartum depression is still whispered about in hushed tones instead of addressed as a common condition affecting up to 1 in 5 new mothers worldwide (WHO, 2024).
The stigma begins in silence, and silence allows it to persist.
The Dutch Perspective
The Netherlands is often seen as progressive in healthcare and gender equality. And yet, stigma persists.
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A 2025 survey on women’s health awareness (RIVM) revealed that while access to healthcare is high, nearly 40% of Dutch women feel uncomfortable discussing menstrual health at work.
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Mental health stigma is sharper: despite the rise in burnout and stress complaints, many women worry about how colleagues or employers perceive their struggles.
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Topics like perimenopause or sexual wellness remain under-discussed — even in a society known for openness.
This creates a contradiction: access exists, but openness does not. The barrier isn’t resources — it’s stigma.
Why Stigma Around Women’s Wellness Still Exists
Stigma thrives in silence, stereotypes, and systemic gaps. For women, it shows up in different ways:
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Cultural expectations: Women are expected to “push through” pain, stress, and exhaustion, normalising suffering.
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Workplace silence: Burnout or hormonal changes are still seen as weaknesses.
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Healthcare bias: Research shows women’s symptoms are often dismissed or misdiagnosed compared to men’s.
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Generational gaps: Younger women push for openness, while older generations were raised to keep health issues private.
The result? Many women delay care, suppress symptoms, or feel guilt for simply needing support.
Signs of Change: Breaking the Taboo
Despite its persistence, stigma is beginning to crack.
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Public Dialogue: The Netherlands has seen more open discussions on mental health in media and politics, especially post-pandemic. Young women are increasingly vocal on social platforms about burnout, periods, and therapy.
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Policy Shifts: Countries like Spain and Japan have introduced menstrual leave policies, sparking debate across Europe — including in the Netherlands. Dutch organizations like WOMEN Inc. are advocating for recognition of gender-specific health needs at work.
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Gen Z Leadership: Young Dutch women, less bound by taboo, are normalizing wellness conversations. On TikTok, hashtags like #mentalegezondheid and #selfcare are reshaping narratives.
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Employer Initiatives: A growing number of employers in the Netherlands are piloting menopause-friendly policies or wellness apps, though adoption remains limited.
The shift is slow, but undeniable.
How AI Can Help Break the Stigma
If stigma is rooted in silence, the way forward is rooted in visibility, personalization, and holistic care. This is where technology and tradition can work together.
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AI for Hyperpersonalisation
AI can analyze patterns in sleep, stress, mood, and energy to anticipate wellness needs before crisis hits. For Dutch women balancing multiple roles, this means support that adapts to their rhythms rather than forcing them into generic wellness checklists. -
Ancient Roots, Modern Relevance
Systems like Ayurveda and mindfulness have long recognized that wellness is individual. Where ancient wisdom speaks of balance and cycles, AI translates this into actionable, real-time support. Tradition provides the philosophy; technology provides the precision. -
Holistic Wellness as the New Standard
True care must integrate mental, physical, and emotional health. Stress is not separate from digestion, sleep, or relationships. By normalizing whole-person care, stigma loses its grip — because nothing about women’s health is “too small” or “too private” to matter.
Looking Ahead: A Future Without Stigma
For Dutch women — and women everywhere — the future of wellness cannot just be about better access or smarter technology. It must also be about cultural permission to speak, to rest, and to be cared for without judgment.
Breaking stigma requires:
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Normalising conversations in workplaces, families, and healthcare.
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Tools like AI that offer safe, private support.
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Reclaiming ancient wisdom that treated women’s bodies with respect.
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Holistic care models that integrate the mental, physical, and emotional.
The silence is slowly breaking. Each open conversation, each AI-powered nudge, each act of holistic care chips away at centuries of stigma. The goal is simple: a world where women’s wellness is no longer whispered about, but openly honoured.
