A Long Monopoly of Misconceptions: Women's Health through the Ages
Evolution of women's medicine: from historic beliefs to contemporary AI applications in gynecology.
From ancient times to modern medicine, female health has been clouded by myths and misconceptions. In prehistoric societies, doctors weren't the ones diagnosing women's behavior and health - symbols and folklore were their instruments. One of those symbols, "hysteria," originating from the Greek hystera, meaning "womb," persisted for centuries, causing widespread prejudices about women's emotional instability.
In the medical world, the 19th century saw women excluded from clinical studies due to hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, and potential risks to the fetus. As a result, many women's symptoms, reactions to drugs, and disease progressions remained a mystery, leading to severe consequences like the dangerous thalidomide birth defects in the 1960s.
Facing the Reality: Unveiling Women's Health Issues
The past's monopoly on misconceptions is slowly vanishing, but the road to change is long. Consider, for instance, the infamous note "not recommended for pregnant women" in a drug's instructions. This formulation doesn't always mean it's contraindicated; it's more often because no data on the drug's safety exists. Dr. Vyacheslav Lokshin, a prominent reproductive medicine specialist in Kazakhstan, emphasizes that the absence of such data can be dangerous.
Progress Ahead: Advancements in Reproductive Medicine
Since the birth of the first baby through IVF in 1978, the success rate of the procedure has skyrocketed to 30% thanks to improved technologies and artificial intelligence. Moreover, scientists have learned to study gene mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, enabling early detection and diagnoses of breast cancer in women.
Turning the Tides: Prioritizing Women's Health in Medicine
While women are increasingly involved in clinical trials, more attention must be paid to their unique physiological differences. Hormone therapy during menopause is a striking example - the study of hormonal changes in women has led to the creation of drugs improving the lives of women in postmenopausal age.
Furthermore, clinical trials are now conducted in phases of a woman's menstrual cycle, ensuring that drugs affect women differently during each stage. These steps aim to prevent side effects and increase the effectiveness of therapy.
A New Dawn: The Women-Driven Revolution in Medicine
In recent years, significant breakthroughs have been achieved in understanding and addressing women's health concerns. For example, active research on endometriosis, a painful condition affecting millions, is finally leading to early detection and effective treatment methods. This progress would be impossible without women scientists like those leading research on this topic.
The Struggle Continues: Bridging the Gaps and Breaking the Barriers
The path towards acknowledging and valuing women's health is long and fraught with challenges. Systemic gender biases, underfunding, and diagnostic delays continue to plague the medical community. However, with better awareness of biological sex differences and growing advocacy for inclusive research, the shift towards prioritizing women's health is becoming a reality.
Ultimately, the mission to understand and cater to women's health goes beyond just medicine. It requires a cultural shift, a reevaluation of history, and an acknowledgement of the uniqueness of each individual. Female scientists and advocates will continue to lead the charge, paving the way for a future where women's health is no longer a myth or a mystery but a fundamental right to be cherished and protected.
- Misconceptions about women's health, such as the historical belief in "hysteria" originating from the Greek word for womb, have persisted for centuries and caused widespread prejudices.
- The absence of data on drug safety for pregnant women can be dangerous, as it often results in the general warning "not recommended for pregnant women" without specifying contraindications.
- Advancements in reproductive medicine have paved the way for breakthroughs, such as the increased success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the ability to study gene mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2 for early detection of breast cancer.
- To ensure the effectiveness and safety of therapeutic drugs, attention must be paid to women's unique physiological differences, such as studying hormonal changes during menopause and conducting clinical trials in phases of a woman's menstrual cycle.
- The future of women's health lies in ongoing research on conditions like endometriosis and the continued involvement of women scientists, advocating for the importance of understanding and addressing women's health concerns and bridging systemic gaps in the medical community.
