Gender bias in medicine leads to treatment disparities for women

A review of medical research published in PLOS One indicates that women continue to face significant disparities in healthcare settings. Analyzing 41 papers published between 2018 and 2023, researchers found that women are less likely to be offered invasive treatments and are frequently prescribed medication that does not align with established guidelines.

These findings highlight a persistent gap in medical care, despite a 1993 Congressional mandate requiring the National Institutes of Health to include women in funded studies. Experts note that sex and gender bias remains a critical issue, with many women reporting that their symptoms are dismissed as being “all in their heads” or attributed to hormonal fluctuations.

Qualitative accounts from women further illustrate these systemic issues, including reports of medical professionals suggesting that pregnancy could resolve mental health disorders or migraines, and claims that pain management protocols differ based on gender.