The Gender Health Gap: Why Women’s Health Still Isn’t Treated Equally
Every year brings new wellness apps, femtech products, and awareness days. But beneath the surface of these advancements lies a persistent, systemic issue: women’s health continues to be underfunded, under-researched, and underserved.
The Funding Problem
Despite making up 50% of the global population, women’s health research has historically received disproportionately low funding. A 2024 report from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey estimates that closing the gender health gap could unlock $1 trillion in global economic benefits by 2040 [1, 2].
Yet, female-specific conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) remain underfunded compared to diseases affecting men or those considered “gender-neutral.”
Example: Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women globally, yet it has received less research funding than male pattern baldness, which does not cause severe pain or infertility [3].
This lack of investment stalls progress in diagnostics, treatments, and public understanding, leaving millions undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years.
A Legacy of Medical Bias
Women’s exclusion from medical research isn't an accident—it has roots in history. For decades, medical science prioritized male bodies as the "default" for research, sidelining female-specific health concerns.
In 1977, the U.S. FDA advised excluding most women of childbearing age from clinical trials due to concerns about reproductive risks.
This policy meant that drugs were developed and tested primarily on men, leading to underdosing, overdosing, and unforeseen side effects for women when those drugs later entered the market.
Although regulations changed in the 1990s, the effects of this male-centric model still persist today.
Even now, research into women's health is not prioritized at the same level, impacting everything from heart disease treatment to autoimmune disorders.
Clinical Research Still Centers on the Male Body
Despite changes in guidelines, the legacy of male-centric research continues. A 2024 review from the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health found that women remain underrepresented in drug trials, particularly women of color and those with reproductive or hormonal conditions [4, 5].
Even in mixed-gender trials, sex-specific analyses are often missing, meaning treatments may be less effective — or riskier — for women.
This is not just theoretical. Women are:
50–75% more likely to experience adverse drug reactions due to differences in metabolism and hormone levels [6].
Less likely to be prescribed pain medication, despite reporting higher pain scores [7].
Diagnosed up to 4 years later than men across more than 700 diseases [8].
The Impact: Poorer Outcomes for Women
The gender health gap isn’t just about inconvenience — it has measurable impacts on life expectancy, quality of life, and economic productivity.
Women in Europe spend about 25% more of their lives in poor health than men [2].
In Germany, the average diagnostic delay for endometriosis is 10.4 years [9].
Up to 70% of PCOS cases remain undiagnosed globally [10].
A recent study found that over 60% of non-specialist gynecologists in Germany could not correctly identify PCOS diagnostic criteria [11].
These missed diagnoses affect fertility, mental health, long-term health risks, and daily functioning.
Intersectionality: The Compounding Effects of Race & Gender
The gender health gap is even wider for women of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
For example:
Black women are 50% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than white women, partly because their symptoms are dismissed more often by doctors [European Parliament].
Transgender women face higher rates of misdiagnosis and medical neglect due to outdated research frameworks and lack of inclusivity in clinical trials [WHO Results Report 2024-2025].
Systemic biases do not affect all women equally—which is why advocacy must include intersectionality to create real change.
The Economic Cost of Inaction
Investing in women’s health isn’t just about fairness — it’s also financially smart. A 2024 report from the World Economic Forum estimates that investing in women’s health yields a 9:1 return on investment [1, 2].
Delays in diagnosis and ineffective treatment don’t just harm individuals — they strain healthcare systems and weaken economies.
Shifting the Focus: From Niche to Necessary
We must stop treating women’s health as a niche concern. Conditions like cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain don’t just affect women differently — they often present with completely different symptoms. Yet most diagnostic frameworks are based on male presentations.
This lack of inclusive data leads to systemic underdiagnosis and undertreatment. It’s not just a research problem — it’s a public health issue.
Policy & Advocacy: What’s Happening in Germany & Globally?
Fortunately, efforts are being made to close the gender health gap, including:
Germany’s 2024 Women’s Health Initiative, aimed at increasing funding for endometriosis and PCOS research [Federal Ministry of Health].
The EU Gender Health Strategy, which mandates better inclusion of women in clinical research and drug trials [European Parliament].
WHO’s Global Women’s Health Campaign, advocating for more funding in cardiovascular disease, reproductive health, and autoimmune disorders [WHO Results Report 2024-2025].
These initiatives are a start - but much more is needed to make sure women’s health receives the priority it deserves.
What Can You Do?
✅ Support research into female-specific and female-dominant conditions
✅ Demand inclusive data in science, funding, and clinical trials
✅ Talk openly about menstrual, hormonal, and reproductive health
✅ Challenge the normalization of pain and poor health outcomes in women
✅ Invest in solutions — whether as a policymaker, patient, company, or donor
At theblood, we’re working to close this gap through research and innovation in women's health. From educating women to analyzing menstrual blood for data insights, we believe in rethinking the way we study, diagnose, and treat women’s bodies.
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Let’s stop treating women’s health like an afterthought.
It’s time to prioritize the 50%.
