The Silent Crisis in Women’s Wellness

International Women’s Day marks the calendar as a day to not only celebrate women, but also raise awareness of the injustices that half the world’s population faces. 

The wellness gap is a culprit that might be affecting you or a loved one, simply because of their gender. 

Gender bias in medicine might seem like an ancient idea. Fact is, we still base our practices on research done decades ago. This research often focuses only on men.

Women’s Exclusion from Clinical Studies

Historically, women have been excluded from clinical trials and studies, while keeping men as a focal point. Women’s bodies were expected to react to drugs and medical treatments like men’s would. This idea ignored important biological differences.

Inconsistencies in data due to menstruation and hormonal fluctuations were common excuses to why women would be excluded. Other times it was because of safety concerns for pregnant, breastfeeding, or fertile women.

The FDA created a policy in the 1970s to exclude all fertile women from phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. Not even women on birth control, with sterile partners, or practicing abstinence could participate. The policy only made exceptions for women with life-threatening conditions.

This stemmed from the thalidomide scandal, where doctors prescribed a drug to pregnant women. The drug caused birth defects in thousands of children.

Not until 1993 did the U.S. Congress pass a law requiring women in clinical research. In 2019, women only made up about 40% of participants in clinical trials for issues that mostly affect them. These include heart problems and psychiatric issues.

The underrepresentation in medical research results in women’s concerns being dismissed or misdiagnosed. This has created a wellness gap between the genders. Research also shows that men’s symptoms are more likely to be interpreted as physical, while women’s as psychosocial. 

5 Key Areas Where Women Are Overlooked

Sleep

Women tend to sleep longer and experience more deep sleep than men. However, their sleep is of lower quality, usually because of domestic labor like caregiving during nighttime. The mix between poor quality and disruptions result in women needing to spend a bigger portion of their day sleeping. 

Building on this, women are also more prone to persistent and serious sleep issues. These conditions, which mostly affect women, can lead to long-term consequences.

Biological conditions affect women’s sleep, such as menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause. Fluctuating levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone will also have an effect. Exactly what these are, and to what extent, is not yet researched enough–because women have been excluded for these exact reasons. 

Heart Problems

Cardiovascular symptoms differ between men and women, yet men have been the focus of significantly more research.

Chest aches are the most common symptoms found in men. Women are more likely to feel nauseous, have shortness of breath, or aches in their jaws. This often leads to misdiagnosis or simply being dismissed due to the most recognized symptom not happening for many of them. 

Women are 50% more likely to receive the wrong diagnosis and are less likely to receive the treatment needed in time. Research has also shown us that women wait longer than men before seeking help because they don’t recognize the signs. Spreading awareness of women’s common symptoms can be life-saving. 

As a result, doctors are less likely to prescribe preventive medication to women.

Autoimmune Problems

More than 80 types of autoimmune problems that can affect almost any type of the body. These range from skin concerns to much more serious matters. These issues occur when your immune system attacks your own body by mistake. 

Women make up around 78% of those affected by autoimmune issues. In some cases, women are 19 times more likely to be affected. 

This is believed to be because of the extra X chromosome in women, and its myriad protein production. With double production in each cell, due to double X chromosomes, one chromosome’s protein production is ‘inactivated’ by a molecule called Xist. It’s this inactivation that can occasionally cause autoimmune problems. 

Every cell in a woman’s body produces the Xist molecule, yet for decades only male cells were used as the standard of reference. This means the reason for women’s vast majority in this population is overlooked and poorly studied. 

Female-Specific Conditions

While male-specific issues are well-studied and treated, female-centric problems often go overlooked. Two prime examples are endometriosis and menopause. 

Between 2019 and 2023, 11 start-ups addressing erectile dysfunction and men’s wellness raised $1.24 billion in funding. In that same time, 8 start-ups tackling endometriosis scraped together $44 million. Additionally, less than half of women with endometriosis have received a diagnosis.

Menopause impacts women emotionally, mentally, and physically. It can be a difficult time to navigate, yet women find that physicians can’t provide the support they require. Instead, they lean on each other and try to find the information and support lacking. 

A survey of 4,000 women in the UK found that menopausal women feel ignored both by healthcare providers and in the workplace. Almost half of them found that their abilities to work were affected, and one in ten actually left their job because of the symptoms. 

Providing information and assistance to manage this time is essential to include women in the workplace, and ensure their careers are unaffected. More studies are needed to find the right help to navigate menopause. 

Drug Research and Gender Bias

Women are at greater risk of side effects from medication, as dosages are recommended based on male data. 

A new study from the Australian National University found that women are up to 75% more likely to experience negative reactions to prescription drugs, in comparison to men. In many cases, sex differences can’t be explained by body weight, and it’s therefore important to include both genders. Traits like iron levels, stored fat, or body temperature can have an impact on the outcomes. 

Including women in more clinical research will help reduce gender bias, providing women with safer and more accurate recommendations.

What Can You Do?

Here are four ways you can make a difference:

• Speak to family and friends and share vital information, like how to recognize signs of heart issues in women. 
• Call your local leaders and push for change in your community. You can ensure funding goes to women’s concerns as well as men’s.
• Promote workplace wellness equality–advocate for new policies that benefit women’s wellness, especially for menopause or pregnancy-related issues.  
• Share this blog with others. Every person aware of the gender wellness gap, is one person closer to closing it.

Bridging the Wellness Gap

The wellness gap isn’t just an oversight—it’s a systemic issue affecting millions of women daily. From misdiagnoses to inadequate research, women have been left to navigate their wellness with uncertainty and blind reliance on the healthcare system.

International Women’s Day is a reminder that progress isn’t just about celebration—it’s about demanding better. By raising awareness, pushing for inclusive research, and advocating for change, we can close the gap and ensure women’s wellness gets to share the spotlight. 

Want to get the latest wellness tips delivered straight to your inbox? Join people like you, and sign up today.  

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Individual experiences may vary.