Did you know that despite medical breakthroughs, a massive gap in women’s healthcare remains?
FemTechnology.org’s (Oriana Kraft) & HBA (Mary Stutts) latest survey reveals the startling reality: physicians are struggling to deliver equitable, personalised care because the system lacks the data and protocols necessary for women’s distinct health needs
(Read the full report here : https://femtechnology.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ThinkTank_The-Hidden-Gaps_White-Paper_Final4.pdf)
This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a systemic failure leading to uncertainty in clinical decision-making, exacerbated disparities in treatment outcomes, and placing an undue burden on providers to fill critical gaps on their own.
The numbers are alarming:
84% of women in the U.K. report feeling dismissed by their healthcare providers, and nearly half (46%) of women aged 18 to 35 in the U.S. have reported negative experiences in the past two years.
As a result, women spend 25% more time in poor health than men.
Physicians themselves are sounding the alarm:
• Over 53% cited insufficient sex and gender-specific research and treatment guidelines as a major concern in their ability to deliver clinical care.
• Nearly 47% acknowledged that systemic biases, including unconscious gender stereotypes, undermine the quality of care their patients receive.
• Inadequate knowledge of sex-specific symptoms often results in missed referrals, a critical gap flagged by 45% of physicians.
This crisis spans every medical specialty:
• Oncology:
Women face a 34% higher risk of severe side effects from cancer treatments compared to men.
Crucial discussions about fertility preservation are often inequitable (e.g., 84% of men informed vs. 40% of women), and sexual side effects of cancer treatment are significantly overlooked for female patients (e.g., only 10% of women asked compared to 90% of men in one study).
Limited research on women’s cancers hampers effective diagnosis and treatment.
• Endocrinology:
90% of respondents identified research gaps in endocrine disorders as having a moderate to significant impact on patient outcomes. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 10% of women of reproductive age, with 70% going undiagnosed. Thyroid dysfunction and osteoporosis also reveal critical gaps in sex-specific care, particularly for postmenopausal women.
• Cardiology:
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women worldwide, yet heart attacks in women often present with atypical symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath, which are frequently dismissed. Women are 1.5 to 2 times more likely than men to experience adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and are more frequently hospitalised due to drug toxicity. For instance, a cardiovascular drug approved via expedited pathways saw women account for only 32% of pre-approval trial participants, but 66% of severe arrhythmia cases post-approval.
• Neurology:
Migraines are three times more common in women than men, with hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause frequently acting as triggers. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disproportionately affects women, a high-priority area for sex-specific research. Women account for nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer’s disease patients and experience faster cognitive decline.
• Ophthalmology:
Dry eye disease (DED) is twice as common in women, particularly post-menopause. Women are also more prone to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in older adults. This systemic disregard leads to misdiagnoses, delayed treatments, and suboptimal outcomes. It’s time for a fundamental shift in healthcare.
Physicians are ready for change, and addressing these disparities is the first step towards truly personalised medicine, unlocking unprecedented breakthroughs for everyone. We must collect missing data, redefine healthcare baselines beyond ‘bikini medicine’, and incentivise systemic change.
Don’t let hidden gaps in women’s health affect you or your loved ones. Learn how to get the comprehensive, personalised care you deserve.
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