Underpresentation in research
For decades, medical research has often treated the male body as the default.
Women were frequently excluded from clinical trials ad scientific studies due to concerns about risk or “complexity”. The long-term consequence has been a significant gap in knowledge about how diseases present, progress, and respond to treatment in women.
Facts
Tampons were not tested with real human blood until 2023.
Women were not included in clinical records until 1993.
Even now, most clinical trials only enrol about a quarter of women relative to men.
Implications
Underrepresentation in research means that many medical guidelines are built on data that does not fully reflect women’s biology or lived experiences. Symptoms that are common in women may be overlooked because they differ from historically studied patterns.
For example, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, chronic pain disorders, and menopause-related health issues have all been affected by limited female-specific research. When evidence is incomplete, healthcare providers may rely on assumptions or outdated frameworks - increasing the risk that women’s symptoms are minimised or misunderstood.
Addressing underrepresentation is essential for a safer, more effective healthcare. Inclusive research practices, including:
balanced participant recruitment
sex-specific data analysis
greater funding for women’s health
help ensure that medical advances benefit everyone. By recognising the historical imbalance in research, we can move toward a future where medical evidence reflects the diversity of the people it is meant to serve.
