The Gender Gap in Clinical Research

Clinical Research

For decades, women have been underrepresented in clinical research, leading to a medical system that often overlooks their unique physiological needs. Historically, researchers prioritized male participants, citing concerns over hormonal fluctuations and pregnancy risks. As a result, many drugs and treatments have been developed using data that does not fully account for how they affect women’s bodies. This imbalance is further reinforced by funding bias, where research on female-specific conditions receives significantly less support. The consequences are serious—misdiagnoses, ineffective treatments, and higher health risks for women. Addressing this gap is crucial to ensuring medical advancements benefit all patients, not just those whose biology has historically been the default.