The “gender health gap” is more than just a catchphrase. It reflects a healthcare system that often fails women, resulting in delayed diagnoses and insufficient treatments.

The term called ‘medical misogyny’ is used to show how there is a lack of research, treatment options, specialists and very long waiting lists for women. 

Statistics from Our World in data shows that Women tend to live longer than men. In 2021 the life expectancy was 73.8 years for women versus 68.4 years for men.

While women generally live longer, they spend a greater portion of their lives ill compared to men.

This inequality stems from a mix of historical biases and a lack of research in women’s health.

Here are five ways women are often treated differently in healthcare:

1. Misdiagnosis or a Delayed Diagnosis of Women

• Heart Attacks Present Differently: Did you know women are 50% more likely to receive an incorrect initial diagnosis for a heart attack? The renowned symptoms of a heart attack are largely based on male presentations. The usual symptoms of chest pain and discomfort are only based on men. Women are more likely to experience symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, back pain, or fatigue, leading to them being misdiagnosed for indigestion or anxiety. Therefore delaying treatment.  
• Autoimmune Conditions: Autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women, yet they face a long journey to diagnosis. Symptoms like chronic fatigue can be dismissed as a psychological problem.
• ADHD and Autism: Neurodevelopmental conditions are underdiagnosed in girls and women as typical presentations are largely based on male experiences, leading to late diagnoses.

2. The Dismissal of Women’s Pain 

• Endometriosis: It takes an average of 7 to 8 years for women to receive an endometriosis diagnosis, despite being in debilitating pain. Many women report being told their severe period pain is “normal” or that they’re being “over the top”
• Read Ellie’s Endometriosis story here
• The “Hysterical Woman” Stereotype: Women’s pain and symptoms have been dismissed as emotional or “all in their head.” Even though they are actually in excruciating pain. 
• Excruciating pain: With no diagnosis, excruciatingly painful periods that are normalised lead to them becoming more painful, traumatic and complex to treat. 

3. The Underrepresentation in Medical Research and Drug Trials for Women

• “The Default Male” in Research: Historically, medical research has predominantly used male subjects. This means that treatment effectiveness may not be accurate for womens usage.
• Lack of Research for Women’s Specific Conditions: Conditions that primarily affect women, like premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or perimenopause, receive significantly less research and funding compared to conditions that affect men (e.g., erectile dysfunction).

4. The Normalisation of “Women’s Issues”

• Post-Childbirth Complications: Issues like pelvic floor damage and tears after childbirth are often seen as “normal,” for women. Leaving them to suffer in silence without any rehabilitation.
• Menstrual Health and Menopause: Excruciating period pain and heavy bleeding are often brushed off as something women “just have to put up with,” rather than being investigated for any underlying conditions.

5. Miscommunications in Clinical Care

• The Healthcare system not listening : According to a study conducted by the Women’s Health Strategy for England reported that more than 4 in 5 (84%) women responding to their survey had at times felt that their healthcare professionals were not listening to them. 
• Psychological vs. Physical Diagnosis: Women are more likely to be given psychological diagnoses, for example, depression or anxiety when presenting with physical symptoms. This can delay the identification and treatment of serious medical conditions.

The gender health gap isn’t just a medical issue, it’s a societal one. When women’s symptoms are dismissed, when research is only designed for men, their lives are put at risk.

Tackling these inequalities means rewriting the script on how we research, treat, and talk about health. It means listening, believing, and prioritising women’s voices that have been silenced for too long.

The gap still exists, and it’s time to bridge it back together.