top of page

Historical Inequities: How a Patriarchal Healthcare System Has Overshadowed Women's Health

Updated: Jul 28



Princess Alice of Greece, who had to endure traumatizing treatments including a procedure on her ovaries that may have accelerated menopause.
Princess Alice of Greeceby H. Walter Barnett. Courtsy of © National Portrait Gallery, London

Hello my dear women!! It’s been a while since I last dedicated time to this space! But I have a good reason for my absence: research, studying, learning, and working with women like you, applying and sharing all this new knowledge to better serve you as your dedicated Health Coach!

If you’ve ever watched the Netflix series “The Crown,” you might remember the episode about Princess Alice of Greece, The Duke of Edinburgh’s mother. The atrocities she suffered at the hands of healthcare professionals in an attempt to heal her from mental illness inspired me to write this post.


It has come to my attention that women don’t quite understand what “patriarchal healthcare system” means. For example, in a conversation with my friends about women’s health, I mentioned this phrase and one of my friends said, “I do not agree with the extreme violent feminism.”


So, to begin with, this article is not about “extreme violent feminism” - as my friend called it. It’s about something much more significant: how the healthcare system has failed to address women’s health issues considering our unique biology.

 


Historical Inequities in Women's Healthcare


Historical inequities in women's healthcare

Women have been marginalized from clinical trials for a significant portion of history. This exclusion can be traced back to the mid-20th century, particularly after the thalidomide tragedy of birth defects in the 1960s. Consequently, in 1977, the FDA recommended excluding women of childbearing potential from Phase I and early Phase II clinical trials.

This led to a significant shortage of data on how drugs affect women differently than men. It wasn't until 1986 that the NIH (National Institute of Health) encouraged the inclusion of women in clinical research, and it took until 1993 for the United States Congress to mandate the inclusion of women and minorities in clinical research after signing the Revitalization Act of 1993.


The patriarchal nature of the healthcare system has historically prioritized men's health, often viewing women’s health primarily through the lens of reproduction. This has overshadowed other crucial aspects of women's health, including hormonal, mental, and emotional well-being.


For much of history, women's health has been primarily defined by their reproductive capabilities. Gynecology and obstetrics have been the main focus, while other aspects of women’s health have been neglected.

 

perimenopause; women's health; hormonal health

The Importance of Hormonal Health


I consider hormonal health a critical aspect of women's overall well-being. Hormones regulate various bodily functions, from metabolism to mood. However, because the healthcare system has traditionally focused on reproduction, issues related to hormonal health outside of pregnancy and childbirth have received less attention.


Mental and emotional health are also crucial components of women's health. I know this firsthand because the first strong symptoms of perimenopause that I suffered was chronic anxiety, panic attacks, and mood swings. Luckily, all the research I’ve done helped me realized it was hormonal decline so, I'm happy to tell you that today I feel fantastic and I am me again because I addressed correctly this dip in hormonal production, instead of falling into the claws of anxiety or depression meds.


It seems ridiculous now to imagine physicians once believed that women’s nerves were too highly strung for them to receive an education and that their ovaries would become inflamed if they read too much. But these outrageous myths are alive and well in a world where menstruation and menopause are still seen by many people as credible reasons why women shouldn’t hold positions of political power.

These historical myths highlight how deeply ingrained and persistent gender biases are in our healthcare system. They serve as a stark reminder of why it is crucial for women to understand and advocate for their hormonal health.


I highly recommend Dr. Cleghorn's book "Unwell Women," which I discovered while investigating for this post. I'm in the middle of it, and I can assure you it's fascinating and nourishing information every woman must know so we can all be aligned in this conversation.


Historical inequities in women's healthcare


Our Call to Action: Reclaiming Our Health

So, ladies, it's time for our "aha" moment! Understanding our hormonal health is not just a medical necessity; it’s a pathway to reclaiming our power and vitality. For too long, we’ve been navigating a healthcare system that often overlooks the intricate and beautiful complexities of our bodies. But here’s the truth: We have the power to change the narrative.


We cannot wait for the entire healthcare system to understand the importance of having a unique approach to women’s health. We must start now. Every single one of us has the power to take charge of our health. No healthcare provider can know better than us what we feel regarding the changes our bodies start to experience from puberty all the way to menopause. This is why I find it crucial that women connect with their hormonal health. Let's educate ourselves so we can teach our young girls to live a hormone-focused life and to demand and not accept less than what they deserve.


Teaching our young girls about women's health is our best legacy for the future female generation.

When we prioritize our hormonal health, we’re not just addressing isolated symptoms; we’re embracing a holistic approach to wellness that impacts every facet of our lives. Hormones influence everything from our energy levels to our emotional stability, and understanding this connection is key to living our best lives.


As your Health Coach specializing in Women’s Health, I cannot stress enough the importance of focusing on nutrition and lifestyle to support our hormonal balance. Simple changes in our diet can make a world of difference. Intermittent fasting, tailored to our unique hormonal patterns, can also be a game-changer.


Our mental and emotional well-being are deeply tied to our hormonal health. Practices like mindfulness, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are not just self-care; they are essential strategies for maintaining hormonal balance.


So, let’s take charge of our health. Let’s educate ourselves, advocate for our needs, and support one another in this journey. Remember, your health is your most valuable asset. By understanding and nurturing our hormonal health, we’re not only enhancing our own lives but paving the way for future generations to thrive in a world that truly values women's health.


You deserve to feel vibrant, balanced, and empowered every single day. Embrace this journey with me, and together, we will create a healthier, happier future.

 

PS: Promise I won’t disappear again, at least for a while! I have so much to share with you!



 

Sources:

"Medical Myths About Gender Roles Go Back to Ancient Greece. Women Are Still Paying the Price Today" By Dr. Elinor Cleghorn https://time.com/6074224/gender-medicine-history/ 


NIH Inclusion Outreach Toolkit: How to Engage, Recruit, and Retain Women in Clinical Research. https://orwh.od.nih.gov/toolkit/recruitment/history



Women, Patriarchy and Health Inequalities: The Urgent Need to Reorient Our Systems. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/9/4472


Feminism, gender medicine and beyond: a feminist analysis of "gender medicine". https://equityhealthj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12939-021-01511-5



Women’s Health Is More Than Female Anatomy And Our Reproductive System—It’s About Unraveling Centuries Of Inequities Due To Living In A Patriarchal Healthcare System. https://www.hbs.edu/healthcare/blog/post/defining-womens-health-womens-health-is-more-than-female-anatomy-and-our-reproductive-systemits-about-unraveling-centuries-of-inequities-due-to-living-in-a-patriarchal-healthcare-system

NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 Public Law 103-43 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK236531/?report=reader


A Timeline to Making Women’s Health Mainstream https://swhr.org/about/1977-1989-timeline/

Making pharmaceutical research and regulation work for women https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m3808

31 views0 comments

Comentários


bottom of page