11/14/2025
Almost every woman has probably experienced being told “oh, that’s normal” or “you’re fine” by a doctor when we voice our concerns about our own body/health. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been gaslit, or persuaded otherwise, here are some actual facts that show the extent of the mismanagement of women’s health.
1. Women were excluded from trials until 1993. Most drug research was based on men, leaving major gaps in understanding female hormones.
2. Women are 50–75% more likely to have adverse reactions because dosing was designed around a male body.
3. PMS & PMDD were often dismissed, and any hormone-related mood disorders were written off as “emotional issues” for decades.
4. Hormonal pain is often ignored. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women but takes 7–10 years to diagnose; cycle-related pain was considered “normal.”
5. Research follows the male 24-hour rhythm, with most studies ignoring women’s 28-day hormonal cycle, leading to inaccurate guidance.
6. Perimenopause is still severely under-researched. Despite major hormonal shifts over 5–10 years, medical literature is limited.
7. Menopause therapy is restricted by outdated data. The 2002 WHI study overstated estrogen risks, and the FDA removed the black-box warning in 2024–2025.
8. Women’s cortisol responses differ- stronger stress responses are often misdiagnosed as anxiety instead of hormonal imbalance.
9. Thyroid disorders are commonly overlooked, this is up to 8× more common in women, yet symptoms are often dismissed as “normal.”
10. PCOS is widespread but underfunded: even though it affects 10–15% of women, it still lacks adequate research and root-cause treatments.
At 7 Sages Acupuncture and Herbs, we work hard to ensure that all our patients’ concerns are heard and addressed- no matter how small they may seem. We will always take the time to listen and understand your experience, and work collaboratively to identify the root cause of your health issues.
