Women’s Healthcare: Why Do Women Use More Medical Care Than Men?

The idea that women’s health concerns are routinely dismissed or taken less seriously by medical professionals is a pervasive one, particularly highlighted around International Women’s Day. Recent data from the Netherlands’ Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) underscores that women utilize healthcare services more frequently than men – 9 percent more visits to general practitioners and increased consultations with specialists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. This isn’t simply a matter of women living longer, and therefore experiencing more age-related health issues; the CBS data shows higher rates of health complaints across all age groups.

Disparities in Reported Conditions

The differences in healthcare utilization are reflected in the types of conditions reported. Women are four times more likely than men to experience involuntary urine loss, and twice as likely to suffer from migraines, bowel disorders, and joint complaints. Conversely, men have double the risk of heart attacks. These statistics, whereas highlighting distinct health challenges, have fueled a debate about whether systemic biases within the healthcare system contribute to unequal care. A professor of obstetrics and gynecology, speaking to NOS Radio 1 Journaal, suggested that “women’s complaints are often taken less seriously” as a contributing factor to increased healthcare seeking.

However, this assertion raises questions, particularly given that a significant proportion of both general practitioners and medical specialists are now women. Why would female doctors be more likely to dismiss concerns raised by female patients? And why would women continue to seek care if they anticipated their concerns would be minimized?

Research Funding and Gender Bias

The discussion quickly turned to the issue of research funding. A gynecologist from the University of Amsterdam, interviewed by NPO radio program EenVandaag, pointed to a severe lack of investment in research focused on conditions specific to women. Specifically, she noted that only 1 percent of the medical research budget is allocated to endometriosis, a painful condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it. This disparity was characterized as “serious discrimination” against women and their health needs.

While funding for some areas of women’s health is substantial – 11 percent of all cancer research funding goes towards breast cancer, representing $2.6 billion globally between 2016 and 2020 – other areas remain critically underfunded. A study published in The Lancet in 2023 revealed that prostate cancer research receives roughly half the funding of breast cancer research, despite similar annual incidence rates. The Netherlands invests 158 million euros annually in a national breast cancer screening program, but no comparable program exists for prostate cancer.

Debunking Myths About Medical Testing

A claim circulating, highlighted by the Nijmegen gynecologist and previously reported in Libelle magazine, suggests that new medications are initially tested only on men, potentially disadvantaging women due to physiological differences. However, What we have is largely a misconception. While it’s true that the initial safety testing phases of drug development often involve a higher proportion of men, this is due to practical considerations related to risk management.

New drugs are first tested on animals, typically mice. If those results are promising, human trials begin with small groups of young, healthy individuals – and often, these individuals are men. This is because these early phases are designed to identify potentially serious side effects, including those that could lead to psychosis or suicidal thoughts. Using a healthy cohort minimizes the risk of confounding factors and allows researchers to clearly attribute any adverse events to the drug itself. It’s not about prioritizing men’s health; it’s about responsible research methodology.

Once a drug is deemed safe, subsequent trials to assess its efficacy typically involve an equal number of male and female patients. A drug cannot be prescribed for women unless it has been tested on female patients, and any differences in effectiveness between sexes must be clearly stated on the drug’s packaging insert.

Gender Bias in Research Design

That said, gender bias can still creep into research design. A 2021 review of studies on migraine medication, published in PLOS One, found that 85 percent of participants were women. Only two out of 25 studies analyzed specifically examined differences in drug effectiveness between men and women. This skewed representation means that the efficacy of these medications is primarily understood in relation to the female body.

The Importance of Trust and Continued Vigilance

These inaccuracies and half-truths surrounding medical research and healthcare are damaging to women’s trust in the system. It’s concerning that even medical professionals contribute to the spread of misinformation. Addressing this requires a multi-faceted approach: increased funding for research into women’s health conditions, greater awareness of potential gender biases in research design, and a commitment to ensuring that all patients – regardless of gender – perceive heard and respected by their healthcare providers.

Moving forward, continued scrutiny of research methodologies and funding allocations is essential. Healthcare institutions should prioritize training programs that address implicit bias and promote gender-sensitive care. And, crucially, open communication between patients and providers is paramount. Women should feel empowered to advocate for their health needs and seek second opinions when necessary.

What to expect in the coming months: Several organizations are currently advocating for increased transparency in medical research funding and the implementation of standardized protocols for including gender-specific analysis in clinical trials. The results of these efforts, and their impact on women’s health outcomes, will be closely monitored.