What Women Want Survey 2026 results: The real state of women’s wellness

In Singapore, where hustle culture runs deep and the pressure to hold everything together is rarely far away, women’s wellness often takes a back seat. And when it does get attention, it tends to be on the surface – a gym membership here, a green juice there.

But this year’s a little different. In fact, for Her World’s What Women Want survey, we’re turning our lens inwards. Having surveyed over 200 women, we asked them about the full spectrum of their wellness. From how they eat to how they sleep, as well as how they cope, and how well the healthcare system is actually serving them. Structured around five pillars – Physical Wellness, Mental Wellness, Sexual Wellness, Reproductive Wellness, and Hormonal Wellness – the findings offer a closer look at what Singapore women are living with, and what they’re still waiting to be heard on.

The picture that emerges is one of capable, motivated women working hard to stay well — but doing so with incomplete information, insufficient support, and very little time to spare.

Physical Wellness

Most women know what healthy living looks like in theory. However, fewer are living it in practice and here’s why.

In the survey, a quarter of respondents reported eating nutritious meals and leading an active lifestyle. A much larger group, nearly 7 in 10, say they’re trying to do better: eating somewhat healthier, exercising more regularly, but acknowledging there’s room for improvement. Just 15.5% say they don’t really track their diet and lead a sedentary lifestyle.

When it comes to diet specifically, only 18.5% say their current diet is healthy. A decisive 71.5% say they try to eat healthy but their diets can definitely be improved. Among those whose diets aren’t quite where they’d like them to be, the barriers are largely structural rather than motivational. Some of the factors that hinder them from eating healthy include the limited healthy options when eating out or ordering in (47.2%), which was the top obstacle, followed closely by comfort with existing eating habits (44.8%) and the simple fact that healthier food costs more (44.2%). Mental fatigue or low energy to plan and prepare meals was a factor for nearly 4 in 10 (39.3%).

However, in terms of exercise, it seems like the figures are a lot more encouraging. Close to three-quarters exercise at least once a week and 36.5% of them do so three or more times a week, and another 36.5% exercise one to two times weekly. The main things standing in their way? Time, fatigue, and motivation, respectively.

What their bodies are telling them

Beyond lifestyle habits, respondents shared what they’ve physically experienced in the past 12 months, and let’s just say, the list is telling. Trouble sleeping or poor sleep quality topped the list at 52%, followed by mood changes such as irritability or low mood (42.5%), joint aches or generalised body pain (42.5%), and hair thinning or increased hair fall (40%). Brain fog, digestive discomfort, and persistent fatigue were also widely reported.

What’s notable is how many of these symptoms overlap with hormonal changes and yet are often attributed to stress or dismissed as normal ageing. And it’s real – the exhaustion runs deep. In fact, some 46% agreed that they often feel physically drained even after a full night’s sleep, with 1 in 10 strongly agreeing with that statement.

The health worries keeping women up at night

When asked which health issues concern them most, cancer topped the list by a significant margin, with 47.5% naming it as a top concern. Dementia came second (35.5%), followed by stroke (29.5%). Within the survey, it was also reported that 1 in 4 of the respondents are worried about osteoporosis and joint degeneration, which are some of the conditions that are often overlooked, especially for women, until they become serious problems.

Despite these concerns, slightly more than 6 in 10 have never proactively screened for or discussed bone, muscle, or nutritional health with a healthcare professional. Knowing what worries you and doing something about it, it seems, remain two very different things.

Mental Wellness

If there’s one word that captures the mental health landscape of Singaporean women in 2026, it’s overwhelmed. More than half (55%) say they often feel mentally overwhelmed by the number of responsibilities they carry daily. About 6 in 10 report difficulty switching off mentally, even when they’re not actively working.

What’s keeping their minds running? While everyone has their own experiences, it seems like there are similar sentiments about the inability to relax or quiet their thoughts (54.1%), which has topped the list, followed by caring responsibilities for family, parents, or children (43.4%). Financial concerns or job security worries (38.5%) and fear of falling behind or being seen as underperforming (38.5%) were equally cited. Habitual phone or social media use and work messages outside of official hours also featured prominently.

Most have experienced prolonged emotional distress

Anxiety, low mood, and emotional distress are common experiences for many Singapore women. Close to 3 in 4 respondents say they have encountered some degree of prolonged emotional distress at some point in their lives. Of these, 1 in 4 say it significantly affected them. Another 3 in 10 say it happens sometimes.

The good news is that attitudes toward seeking help are shifting. Unlike in the past, where seeking help seemed a little taboo to some, in this day and age, some 6 in 10 say they feel comfortable seeking professional support such as therapy, counselling, or psychiatric care, if needed. That’s a meaningful signal of changing norms around mental health.

Cost is the gatekeeping factor

Given that the standard of living has risen over the last few years, it comes as no surprise that the biggest barrier to seeking help is the cost, which was reported as a factor discouraging over half (54.5%) from seeking professional mental health support. Time constraints (29%) and stigma or fear of being judged (27.5%) followed. More than 1 in 4 say they’re unsure where to seek help in the first place.

These numbers point to a clear gap: the willingness is there, but the infrastructure, such as the affordability and accessibility of mental health care, is not keeping up.

Sexual Wellness

Sexually active, but not always protected

Just over a third (37%) of respondents say they are currently sexually active. Among those who are, the most common frequency is once a month or once a week. Adding on to that, the majority (63.5%) say they are not concerned about having low or infrequent sexual activity.

Over half (55%) use some form of protection or safety measure when relevant, but consistency varies. Only 1 in 4 say they always use protection, while 45% say they rarely do. Among those who do take precautions, condoms are the most common method (51.4%), followed by avoiding sexual activity during perceived high-risk periods (10.8%) and long-acting contraception such as an IUD or implant (9.5%).

Screening and vaccination lag behind knowledge

Knowledge about sexual and reproductive health is relatively strong: close to 9 in 10 respondents understand how HPV screening and Pap smears help prevent cervical cancer. Yet the gap between knowing and doing is stark.

Only 1 in 5 respondents has undergone STD/STI screening in the past two years. And while awareness of HPV vaccination is high, 1 in 2 have not received it. Among those who haven’t, the top reason was not thinking they were at risk (51%). A fifth were simply unaware that the vaccine existed. Cost and concerns about side effects each deterred 14%.

Most feel confident in their sexual agency

On a more positive note, 7 in 10 respondents say they feel confident advocating for their own sexual boundaries, needs, and safety. When setting those boundaries feels difficult, fear of upsetting or disappointing a partner (32%) and difficulty finding the right words in the moment (32%) are the most common reasons.

Reproductive Wellness

Three in ten hope to start or grow a family

While the majority (56.5%) of respondents do not see themselves wanting to start or grow a family in the future, 3 in 10 do, and their concerns about the path ahead are significant.

Age-related decline in fertility is the top worry (59.3%), followed by the impact of stress, work, or lifestyle on fertility (45.8%), and the risk of pregnancy complications (39%). Some 1 in 3 are specifically concerned about difficulty conceiving when they are ready.

Despite these concerns, just under half (45.8%) have proactively assessed their fertility or reproductive health through means such as ultrasound, blood tests, or ovarian reserve testing. More than half have yet to take that step, and a majority (58%) say they would only seek gynaecological care when they experience noticeable symptoms or pain.

Screenings are happening, but reactive care remains the default

Close to two-thirds (64.4%) of those hoping to have or grow a family have attended or been recommended for gynaecological screenings such as a Pap smear within the past three years. That’s an encouraging figure, but the reactive mindset remains common amongst women in Singapore. When something hurts or something seems wrong, most women will go. Prevention, on the other hand, is a harder sell.

Assisted reproduction

Among those planning to have children, awareness of assisted reproduction options such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) is split almost evenly: half are somewhat or very familiar with these options; the other half are not. Despite this awareness, 40.7% see these options as irrelevant to them, and 25.4% say they wouldn’t consider them at all. Only 17% have undergone IUI or IVF.

For those weighing the decision, cost and affordability dominate (66.1%), followed by the physical demands of treatment (49.2%) and the emotional and mental health impact (44.1%).

Egg freezing is similarly known. About half have heard of it and have some understanding of it, but the cost of egg-freezing (83.1%) remains the overwhelming deterrent. Medical risks and side effects (47.5%) and uncertainty about future success rates (42.4%) are the next biggest concerns.

Hormonal Wellness

Symptoms are widespread, answers are not

Hormonal health sits at the intersection of everything. They affect your mood, energy, weight, sleep, skin, and fertility, and yet it remains one of the most under-resourced areas of women’s healthcare.

Sleep disturbances were the most commonly reported hormone-related symptom, experienced by 48% of respondents. Persistent fatigue affected 42.5%, while hair thinning, acne, or skin changes affected 37%. Mood swings or emotional volatility were reported by 35%, and digestive or bloating issues by 34%.

Yet despite the prevalence of these experiences, 1 in 3 respondents has received a diagnosis for a hormone-related condition. Perimenopause (10%), endometriosis (9%), PMOS (formerly known as PCOS)(8%), and thyroid disorders (7.5%) were among the most common diagnoses. For those who sought answers, the journey to a diagnosis was often difficult. 63.1% faced a lack of clear information about their symptoms, 61.5% struggled with the cost of consultations or tests, and more than half (52.3%) were told their symptoms were “normal” or stress-related.

Most women are navigating this alone

Only 1 in 2 respondents feels well-informed about how hormones affect their body across different life stages. And when they go looking for answers, they’re mostly doing so without professional guidance: online articles and forums (62.5%) and social media (48.5%) are the top sources of information. Healthcare professionals rank third at 32%.

Nearly half (47%) say they feel uncertain about what type of healthcare provider to approach for hormonal concerns. It’s a significant knowledge gap and one with real consequences, since delayed or missed diagnoses are a recurring theme in respondents’ experiences.

What women want more of

When asked what they wished were more openly discussed or better supported in relation to women’s hormonal health, the responses were clear. In this context, clearer education across life stages was the top request (66%), followed by better awareness of under-diagnosed conditions (62.5%), and more affordable and accessible care (62%). Half of the respondents also called for more reliable local resources and earlier conversations about hormonal changes.

About the survey

Her World’s What Women Want Survey 2026 was conducted from 6 March to 5 April 2026, with a final sample of 200 Her World readers. All percentages are based on total respondents unless otherwise stated.

The 200 women who participated in this survey skew toward mid-life and beyond: the median age was 46.4 years, with the largest groups falling between 50 and 55 (18%) and above 55 (20.5%). The majority are married (62%) and hold at least a bachelor’s degree (52%). Most are employed across professional and managerial roles, with 12% not working, retired, or unemployed.