Why are women's health conditions underfunded compared to men's, according to recent reports?

Female-specific conditions receive only 5% of biopharmaceutical research funding, and only 1% of that for non-cancerous issues, due to historical neglect and perceived complexity.

How did the exclusion of women from clinical trials impact drug development?

Excluding women from trials until 1993 led to less understanding of drug effects on female bodies, resulting in higher rates of adverse drug reactions for women.

What is the average delay for an endometriosis diagnosis, and why?

Diagnosis for endometriosis is often delayed nearly a decade after symptoms first appear, due to dismissed pain and insufficient clinical familiarity and research.

Home / Health / Women's Health Crisis: Decades of Neglect Exposed

Women's Health Crisis: Decades of Neglect Exposed

4 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Female-specific conditions receive only 5% of biopharmaceutical research spending.
Women were excluded from clinical trials until 1993, leading to adverse drug reactions.
Endometriosis diagnosis is delayed nearly a decade due to dismissed symptoms.

For millions of women, the quest for health answers has led to social media, a symptom of medicine's failure to address their specific needs. Female-specific conditions account for a mere 5% of biopharmaceutical research spending, with even less directed towards non-cancerous issues like menopause and infertility. This chronic underfunding creates critical gaps in pain assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

Historically, women were excluded from clinical trials, with men's bodies considered the standard. This legacy persists, as fewer than 30% of early-stage trial participants are women, contributing to nearly double the rate of adverse drug reactions compared to men. Conditions like endometriosis often face decade-long diagnostic delays due to dismissed symptoms and low research funding.

Closing these gaps requires substantial investment in women's health research, alongside equipping patients with reliable information and training doctors for better communication. Organizations like the Gates Foundation are making significant pledges, but more is needed to ensure women receive the rigorous scientific attention their health deserves.