Women’s Health Has Never Been Equal to Men’s
Women’s health has never been equal to men’s. So says I—and more importantly, countless academics, politicians, and almost every woman who’s ever had to deal with a medic. This isn’t an opinion piece. It’s a snapshot of the background to healthcare as we know it.
Now, I could go off on a long rant about the inequality of society and all the baggage that comes with it. But let’s save that for a proper 1-2-1 over a coffee. I’m here to stand up and speak for the women, like me, who are living proof of these experiences.
When I chat with a group of women, I hear the same story. They’re exhausted from battling with their GP or other healthcare professionals. First, they’re just trying to be heard. Then, they’re trying to be understood. And finally—hopefully—they get treated, helped, or cured. But from what I’m hearing, something in the system just isn’t working.
Now, I’m not here to bash the medical profession. I believe most of them are doing their best within a fundamentally flawed system. And when we dig into the history, I think you’ll see why.
I was genuinely shocked to learn (only in the last few years!) that modern medicine is based almost entirely on studies carried out on men. Early physical studies focused on men—no surprise when you consider how society was structured. Men were the scientists. Women were at home raising babies. Our uterus defines our role and so, women’s health has never been equal to men’s.
Add to that: the endocrine system, which governs hormones, was only discovered at the start of the 20th century. In the grand timeline of medicine, that’s yesterday. So our understanding of hormones—and their critical role in women’s health, particularly menopause—is still relatively new.
Is it any wonder we often feel like we’re shouting into the void?
What about HRT?
Honestly, it’s a miracle HRT got as far as it has.
Back in the ’80s, HRT was made from pregnant mares’ urine. I remember being outraged by the cruelty of that practice. I said I’d never touch it, no matter how effective it was.
(Full disclosure: I’ve used modern HRT more recently—but that’s a story for another day.)
Slowly, HRT improved. By the ’90s, it was becoming more widely accepted. Then, in 2002, a study was misreported, and suddenly HRT use plummeted—along with interest in developing it further. Some of you will remember the breast cancer scare headlines at the time.
Here’s a BBC link from 2006 for perspective:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6182445.stm
Compare that to viagra
Now, compare the story of HRT to Viagra. Discovered in 1989. Approved by the FDA in 1998. It’s now available over the counter. HRT? Not even close to the same level of attention or urgency.This isn’t speculation. Men’s health has always come first. Take this example: In 1958, the U.S. launched the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Ageing—a great initiative. But for the first 20 years, they studied 13,000 men. Not one woman. It took two decades for women to be included.
As I said earlier, I’m not here to tear down doctors. I’m here to encourage you—yes, you to stay curious. Do your research. Empower yourself. Because when you know more, you can advocate for yourself—and for women everywhere.
My daughter is 40. I remember being 40. She’s miles ahead of where I was at her age—she understands her health better, knows where to look for information, and asks the right questions. I’d like to think I had a hand in that. I helped her be curious, confident, and informed.
We owe it to all the women in our lives, don’t we?
Here’s a brilliant Guardian article that gives more background:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/nov/13/the-female-problem-male-bias-in-medical-trials
Where Are We Now?
All of this just makes me even more determined to keep talking about women’s health and raising awareness about what we need—and deserve.
Our bodies are as unique as our DNA. So understanding your options—whether it’s for menopause or any other health issue—is vital.
Herbs of Grace isn’t a medical clinic. But it is rooted in the history and power of medical herbalism. And that tradition still offers us options and insight as we walk our own health journeys.
Herbalism isn’t a replacement, but it’s a valuable complement. We can draw on the knowledge of herbalists before us and the studies happening today to make more informed choices for ourselves.
So please—do it. For yourself.
Because knowledge is power. (Sounds like a slogan. I should print a T-shirt 😊)
Want to Keep the Conversation Going?
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