In a world plagued by systemic issues such as sexism, ableism, and homophobia, it comes as no surprise that women’s health has been unjustly neglected. I aim to shed light on the pervasive gender disparity in medical research, treatment, and the overall understanding of women’s health issues. It is time to unveil the reality of how women’s medical treatment is severely lacking, highlighting the urgent need for change.
Medication Dosing
A Gender Blind Spot: The startling truth is that the majority of medication doses are based on testing conducted primarily on men. This inherent bias neglects the unique physiological differences between men and women, leading to potentially inadequate dosing for women. By assuming that what works for men will suffice for women, we deny them the personalized care they deserve.
Underfunding and Underresearched
Ailments that primarily or exclusively affect women, such as Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and Uterine Fibroids, are often underfunded and receive disproportionately less research attention. Consequently, women suffer silently, grappling with debilitating symptoms and limited treatment options. The lack of funding perpetuates a vicious cycle of neglect, leaving many without hope for effective interventions. Even in ailments such as: Lyme Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Autoimmune Diseases, Thyroid Diseases and more, that affect women substantially more than men, the funding and research for cures and treatment are all but abandoned.
The Silent Suffering of Heart Attacks
Heart attacks manifest differently in women compared to men, often presenting subtler symptoms that are easily misinterpreted or dismissed. Society conditions women to bear pain silently, causing them to overlook the warning signs of a heart attack, believing it to be another episode of the pain they have endured throughout their lives. This dismissal puts their lives at risk and highlights the urgent need for education and awareness campaigns tailored to women’s unique experiences.
The Painful Reality of Gynecological Procedures
Women’s experiences with gynecological procedures are frequently undermined and dismissed. Whether it’s an IUD insertion or a cervical biopsy, inadequate pain management is an all-too-common occurrence. Many women are left to endure excruciating pain, sometimes comparable to childbirth, without the support they need. This lack of attention to women’s pain perpetuates the notion that their suffering is an inherent part of being a woman, rather than addressing it as a legitimate concern.
The Stigma Surrounding Menstrual Health
Excessive and painful cramping during menstruation is often belittled or trivialized as a natural consequence of being a woman. Women are encouraged to rely solely on over-the-counter pain medications and heating pads, instead of seeking proper medical attention and support. This dismissive approach prevents women from receiving adequate care, further marginalizing their experiences and perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes.
Amplifying the Intersectional Impact
Gender disparities in women’s health have a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, including people of colour, Indigenous peoples, Latinx communities, and trans and non-binary individuals. These intersecting identities intersect with gender bias, exacerbating barriers to healthcare, each face individual struggles and becomes especially hard in America, when not everyone has access to free health care.
Women of colour and Indigenous women face historical discrimination and cultural insensitivity, and health issues specific to these communities, such as higher rates of maternal mortality, fibroids, and autoimmune diseases, remain under-researched and underserved, leaving women of colour and Indigenous women without adequate support and resources.
Latinx women are about 50% more likely to die from diabetes or liver disease than whites and with a potential language barrier it can cause a delay in receiving timely, accurate diagnoses, proper treatment, and necessary preventive care.
The medical community often lacks sufficient research, knowledge, and inclusive practices to cater to trans and non-binary individuals, they struggle to provide proper access to gender-affirming care, including access to hormones, surgeries, and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services.
Addressing these disparities requires an inclusive and intersectional approach in research, healthcare provision, and policy-making to ensure equitable and compassionate healthcare for all women, irrespective of their intersecting identities.
It is crucial to acknowledge and address the gender disparities in women’s health. The neglect faced by women, both in terms of medical research and treatment, perpetuates their suffering and denies them the care they deserve. By speaking out and engaging in open and honest conversations, we can advocate for change, demanding equitable and comprehensive healthcare that recognizes and addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by women. Together, let us strive for a future where every woman’s health is valued and prioritized, leaving no one behind in the fight for gender equality in healthcare.
And remember to advocate and speak out for yourself, demand second opinions and referrals to specialists when you know something is not right, you know your body best.