Women's Health Week: women's foot health
Women are more likely than men to get some foot problems, such as bunions. Footwear, bone health and activity all play a part, and most problems are easier to manage when caught early.
Women's Health Week, run each year by Jean Hailes for Women's Health, is Australia's largest event dedicated to the health and wellbeing of women and girls.¹ It's a good reminder that your feet deserve attention too. Women are more likely than men to have some foot problems, and the shoes you wear, your bone health and how active you are can all make a difference.
Why do women get more foot problems?
Some foot conditions are much more common in women. Bunions are the clearest example.² Several things play a part:
- Genes and foot shape. The foot shape you inherit plays a big part in some problems. For example, many people with bunions have a family history of them.⁷
- Footwear. High heels and narrow, pointed shoes squeeze the toes and shift weight onto the front of the foot.³,⁴
- Bone health. Women lose bone more quickly after menopause, which raises the risk of fractures.⁵
- Activity. More women of all ages are playing sport and exercising, which is great for health but can bring overuse injuries if training increases too quickly.
Which foot problems are common in women?
Bunions
A bunion is a bony bump at the base of the big toe, caused by the toe leaning towards the other toes. About 30% of women have a bunion, compared with about 13% of men, and bunions become more common with age.² They often run in families.⁷ Narrow, tight shoes can increase your chance of getting one,⁷ and high heels are linked with bunions too.³ Read more about bunions.
Morton's neuroma
Morton's neuroma is a thickening of the tissue around a nerve in the ball of the foot. It causes a sharp, burning or stabbing pain, usually between the third and fourth toes, and can feel like standing on a pebble.⁶ It's often linked to tight, pointy or high-heeled shoes.⁶
Corns and calluses
Corns and calluses are areas of thick, hard skin that build up where shoes press or rub. High heels shift pressure onto the ball of the foot,⁴ and narrow toes squeeze the toes together, which makes corns and calluses more likely.
Stress fractures and overuse injuries
A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone caused by repeated impact, such as running or jumping. Increasing training gradually, wearing suitable shoes, and looking after your bone health all help lower the risk.
How do high heels affect your feet?
The higher the heel, the more pressure there is on the front of your foot, especially under the big toe joint.⁴ Wearing high heels is linked with bunions, pain, and injuries.³
You don't have to give up heels altogether. Keep high heels for shorter periods, choose a lower, wider heel and a roomy toe box when you can, and wear comfortable, supportive shoes for walking and for long days on your feet.
Looking after your bones
Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, and strength training help keep your bones and muscles strong.⁵ If you're past menopause or have a family history of osteoporosis, talk to your GP about your bone health.
When to see a podiatrist
See a podiatrist if you have:
- foot pain that is affecting your walking, work or exercise
- a bunion that is painful or getting worse
- burning or tingling in the ball of your foot
- painful corns or calluses
- pain in a bone that gets worse with activity
- diabetes, so your feet can be checked regularly.
Regular foot care can pick up problems early, help you manage them, and keep you active. To look after your feet, book an appointment with our podiatrists at Foot Ankle Lower Limb.
References
- Jean Hailes for Women's Health (2026). About Women's Health Week. https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/get-involved/womens-health-week/about-womens-health-week/
- Nix S, Smith M, Vicenzino B. (2010). Prevalence of hallux valgus in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 3, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-1146-3-21
- Barnish MS, Barnish J. (2016). High-heeled shoes and musculoskeletal injuries: a narrative systematic review. BMJ Open, 6(1), e010053. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010053
- Mandato MG, Nester E. (1999). The effects of increasing heel height on forefoot peak pressure. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 89(2), 75–80. https://doi.org/10.7547/87507315-89-2-75
- Healthdirect Australia (2025). Osteoporosis. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/osteoporosis
- NHS (2025). Morton's neuroma. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mortons-neuroma/
- Healthdirect Australia (2026). Bunions. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bunions
Reviewed by Andrew Schox, Podiatrist, BSc(Hons) PGradDipPod MPod. Last reviewed October 2026.
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