For decades, the world was designed to the measure of men. Women's health and safety were secondary. When half of the world's population is treated as an exception rather than the norm, the result is more than inconvenient. It can be life-threatening.
The Dangerous "Default Male" Standard
From the cars we drive to the protective gear at work, many products are designed for the average male body.
For years, crash test dummies were modeled after the male body. As a result, women face a 73% higher risk of injury in a car accident.
The situation is similar with personal protective equipment and bulletproof vests, as worn in healthcare and by police. They are often just scaled-down male versions that don't fit women properly, leaving them unprotected.
A Gap in Medical Research
Historically, women were excluded from clinical drug trials in medicine. Some guidelines explicitly recommended this exclusion as late as 1977. The result is a dangerous lack of data.
Because recommended dosages are often based on male biology, women face a significantly higher risk of side effects.
A clear example is the sleep aid Ambien. It remained effective in women's bodies much longer than in men's, leading to an increased number of traffic accidents the morning after, until the dosage was finally adjusted.
Harmful Substances in Hygiene Products
Perhaps the most neglected area is the safety of products women use daily.
Recent studies show that common feminine hygiene products like tampons and pads are a hidden source of phthalates and toxic metals.
Phthalates are suspected to be reproductive toxins. They were detected in up to 98% of tested pads. A current pilot study also found 16 different metals in various tampon brands, including lead and arsenic.
Despite these risks, historically there has been no legal requirement to test these products for chemical contaminants.
The Pain Gap
Unequal treatment affects not only products but also medical care itself.
Studies show that women's pain is systematically underestimated by medical personnel. It is often dismissed as "emotional" rather than taken seriously as physical.
In emergency rooms, women with chest pain wait 29% longer for a doctor than men with the same symptoms.
This structural bias leads to women being less likely to receive a diagnosis and less likely to receive treatment. For Black women, the situation is significantly more difficult due to the combined effects of racism and sexism in medicine.
A New Era of Women's Health
The situation is starting to change. More and more researchers and companies are focusing on the specific biological needs of women.
Modern science is now also examining supplements and products specifically designed to support female longevity and cellular health.
An example is NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide). It is gaining attention in the wellness sector because it can support NAD⁺ levels, an approach associated with healthy aging and energy metabolism. Precisely these research areas are increasingly being viewed from the perspective of female physiology.
Conclusion
Closing the women's health gap is not a "women's issue." It is an economic and scientific necessity.
When research considers biological sex as its own variable, it leads to better outcomes for everyone.
It's time to leave the "default male" behind and ensure that every product is safe and effective for the 50% of the population that has been overlooked for so long. From life-saving medications to daily hygiene.