Rise in recognition of women's health conditions

Understanding the issues facing women’s health

In recent years, a number of inquiries and reports have revealed significant disparities in the care received by women and men. A 2022 study examining gender inequalities in pain found that “significant gender pain inequalities exist across Europe”. According to The Vision for Women’s Health report, 8 out of 10 women feel they have not been listened to by healthcare professionals. 

These statistics highlight the persistence of the gender health gap. But why is women’s health overlooked?

Throughout much of history, medical and social developments have largely been established around the views and needs of men. Typically resources and funding for medical research are disproportionately assigned to male-centric issues: for example research into erectile dysfunction (which affects 19% of men) was approved five times more often than research into pre-menstrual syndrome (which affects 90% of women), according to 2016 data.

What has this meant in a healthcare setting?

Historically, women have been underrepresented, and even excluded, from clinical trials. Even in in-vitro and animal studies, subjects have been largely male. As a result, not only have women’s health issues been under-researched, but our understanding of how diseases may affect men and women differently is also underdeveloped. 

These shortcomings have led to significant gaps in women’s healthcare, particularly when it comes to gender-specific conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and symptoms associated with menstruation, contraceptives, and menopause. 

But things are slowly improving… 

Improving diagnostics and awareness for endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic neuroinflammatory disorder characterised by tissue similar to the lining of the womb growing outside the uterus. The condition is believed to affect around 10% of women and people with uteruses. Common symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and potential infertility.

On average, it takes 7-9 years to receive a definitive endometriosis diagnosis, during which time the condition is often poorly controlled. At the same time, awareness of endometriosis remains extremely low, both among the public and medical professionals. Recent data indicates that over half of people in the UK do not know what endometriosis is and 45% of women are unable to name any symptoms of the condition. 

Diagnosis of endometriosis almost always requires a laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) to be performed, allowing the doctor to examine the pelvic area. However, many endometriosis experts believe that imaging can be used as a reliable alternative. Recent studies have supported this theory. A 2020 study found that transvaginal elastosonography (TVESG) had a 100% success rate in detecting endometriosis lesions in a recent study of 30 patients. 

Nonetheless, funding for endometriosis research remains low, particularly compared to other conditions with a similar prevalence. Efforts to raise awareness of this condition and improve diagnosis times and treatments include Endometriosis Action Month, taking place every March. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis/awareness

PCOS is a common condition that affects around 1 in 8 women and people assigned female at birth. It is a hormonal disorder in which the ovaries produce high levels of androgens (male hormones) causing symptoms such as irregular periods, fertility issues, excessive hair growth, weight gain, and hair loss. 

Despite its high prevalence, awareness of the condition and our understanding of its causes have historically been extremely limited. According to Verity PCOS, a registered PCOS charity, 70% of those with PCOS don’t know they have it. 

However, in recent years, several initiatives have helped to raise awareness of this common condition. For example, PCOS Awareness Month, which takes place in September, is dedicated to improving education, recognition, and diagnosis of PCOS. Data shows that digital campaigns have also been successful in raising awareness, which in turn can lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of the condition. 

Destigmatisation and recognition of menopause effects

There are approximately 13 million peri or postmenopausal women in the UK, with over three-quarters reporting that they experience one or more symptoms they would describe as “very difficult”. Evidence suggests that many of those going through menopause are not receiving a satisfactory level of relief with conventional therapies, or are simply not able to access treatments at all. Moreover, many report feeling stigmatised due to their symptoms. This stigmatisation has been the subject of much debate in recent years and, thankfully, some breakthroughs have been made. 

In November 2022, NHS England launched the first NHS guidance on menopause, adjusting sickness policies to include menopause symptoms and providing flexibility and necessary adjustments for employees. In the same year, the House of Commons Committee published their Menopause in the Workplace report, with recommendations to the government on improving awareness of menopause and its impact.

Pushing for further improvements

While there have been some promising developments in recent years, there is still a long way to go to ensure all women and those assigned female at birth feel adequately supported in managing the unique health conditions and experiences that affect them. A big part of this is achieving adequate symptom control. 

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