Medical research has historically focused on men, leading to misdiagnosed symptoms, overlooked conditions, and inadequate treatment for women. The consequences of this imbalance affect millions, making it critical to address the gaps in research and care.
Five Key Areas Where Women Are Overlooked
Sleep Disruptions
Women sleep longer and experience more deep sleep than men, yet their sleep quality is often lower due to nighttime caregiving responsibilities.
They are more prone to persistent sleep disorders, yet research on these conditions remains limited.
Biological factors such as menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause affect sleep, but these influences are still poorly studied.
Heart Disease Misdiagnosis
Cardiovascular symptoms differ between men and women, yet research overwhelmingly focuses on men.
Women are more likely to experience symptoms like nausea, shortness of breath, and jaw pain rather than the widely recognized chest pain.
They are 50% more likely to receive a misdiagnosis and often wait longer to seek treatment because they don’t recognize the symptoms.
Autoimmune Disorders
Women account for 78% of all autoimmune disease cases, yet most research relies on male subjects.
A key factor is women’s extra X chromosome, which plays a role in immune system regulation but remains poorly understood.
Many autoimmune diseases affecting women disproportionately lack targeted treatments due to this research gap.
Neglected Female-Specific Conditions
Endometriosis affects millions of women, yet less than half receive a diagnosis.
Between 2019 and 2023, men’s health startups—mainly focused on erectile dysfunction—raised $1.24 billion, while endometriosis startups secured just $44 million.
Menopause affects women’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being, yet workplaces and healthcare providers fail to provide adequate support.
Drug Research & Gender Bias
Women face a 75% higher risk of adverse reactions to prescription drugs because most dosages are based on male data.
Differences in iron levels, fat distribution, and metabolism impact drug efficacy, yet women remain underrepresented in clinical trials.
Addressing this bias is essential for improving treatment safety and effectiveness for women.
Greater awareness and action can drive meaningful change in women’s healthcare. The more we recognize these disparities, the closer we get to ensuring equal access to medical research, treatment, and care.
Jennifer Ferdinand, owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio in Burke, VA, has been practicing massage therapy and esthetics since 2006. She is nationally certified through NCBTMB, and licensed in Virginia for both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.
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