The differences between female and male bodies are enormous. Yet medical science has ignored this for decades. Almost all medicines, dosages, and treatment methods have been tested on men—and women pay the price for this. But how is this possible? And why are the differences between men and women so great?
The female body: different, more complex, and often ignored
Medical science has long acted as if the male body is the standard. In clinical studies, drug trials, and even in medical training, the body of the healthy, young man was taken as the starting point. The female body—with fluctuating hormones, a different metabolism, and unique biological processes—was seen as “difficult,” “complex,” or simply not taken into account.
Only in recent years has awareness grown that these differences are not only biologically logical, but also medically crucial.
How big are the differences between men and women really?
Aspect | Male body | Female body |
|---|---|---|
Hormone balance | Relatively stable testosterone level | Cyclical fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone (menstrual cycle) |
Metabolism | Faster fat burning, different processing of medication | Slower fat burning, different absorption and processing of substances |
Immune system | On average less strong, lower risk of autoimmune diseases | Stronger immune system, higher risk of autoimmune diseases |
Cardiovascular disease | Symptoms often classic (chest pain) | Symptoms often atypical (nausea, fatigue) |
Pain perception | Different sensitivity, less chronic pain reported | More chronic pain, higher sensitivity to stimuli |
Hormonal fluctuations make women unique
The menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, and even the influence of contraception cause the female body to change continuously. This also means that the response to medication can vary depending on the phase of the cycle. However, most treatments do not take this into account.
Why is medicine based on the male body?
The explanation is historical and cultural:
Until 1993, women were systematically excluded from medical studies in the US (and elsewhere). Reasons: possible pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations, ‘too complicated’.
As a result, many drugs, dosages, and therapies have only been tested on male subjects—often young, healthy men.
The consequence: women are more likely to receive incorrect dosages, miss diagnoses, or be treated incorrectly.
Even today, women are still underrepresented in clinical studies, especially women over 50, even though this group is most affected by chronic conditions.
The consequences for women's health
1. More side effects from medication
Due to their metabolism and hormone balance, women process medication differently. However, they are often given the same dosage as men, which leads to more side effects.
Example: sleeping pills, antidepressants, and painkillers have up to 70% more adverse effects in women.
2. Incorrect diagnoses
Female heart problems, autoimmune diseases, or ADHD are less often recognized because doctors are trained to recognize male symptoms.
3. Misunderstood chronic complaints
Women suffer more often from chronic pain, fatigue, and conditions such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome. However, these complaints are often trivialized or attributed to “stress” or “psychological” causes.
4. Late or incorrect treatment
Without an understanding of female biology, women receive the right care too late, with all the associated health risks.
Why are women physically different?
The differences are evolutionary and biologically logical:
Reproduction: The female body is designed to carry a pregnancy. This requires flexible hormone levels, extra fat reserves, and a strong immune system to protect mother and child.
Estrogen and progesterone: These hormones not only affect fertility, but also blood vessels, brain function, bone density, metabolism, and pain perception.
Stronger immune system: Women produce more antibodies, which protects against infections but also leads to a higher risk of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatism or lupus.
Metabolism: Women burn fat and carbohydrates differently, which affects weight, energy, and drug processing.
In short: the female body works fundamentally differently from the male body on many levels. Ignoring these differences has major medical consequences.
The shift in healthcare
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness worldwide that healthcare needs to become more female-friendly:
✔️ More women in medical studies, including different age groups.
✔️ Separate guidelines for female symptoms and treatments.
✔️ Research into the influence of hormones on medication and therapies.
✔️ Awareness among healthcare providers of the differences between men and women.
✔️ New attention to women's health issues such as menopause, menstrual complaints, and hormonal disorders.
However, we still have a long way to go. Women still experience daily that their complaints are taken less seriously, or that they are given medication that is not tailored to their bodies.
What can you do yourself as a woman?
Ask your doctor about possible differences in how medications work.
Keep a symptom or cycle diary, especially if you experience hormonal fluctuations.
Seek information from reliable sources about women's health issues.
Don't let yourself be dismissed if you feel that something is wrong. You know your body best.
Conclusion
The days when healthcare was primarily based on the male body are coming to an end. There is growing recognition of how unique, complex, and different the female body functions. This is not a burden, but a strength—provided that medical science and healthcare take it seriously.
At Meditech Europe, we believe in awareness, innovation, and supporting biological systems tailored to the unique needs of each individual — women and men alike.
Would you like to learn more about how natural products and technologies can contribute to optimal health tailored to your body? Visit the Meditech Europe website or contact us.
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