Only 5% of global healthcare research and development funding is allocated to women’s health1. This has led to a distinct gap in the understanding and treatment of women’s health conditions. Investment in this area is crucial to improve the lives of women worldwide.
The Importance of Women’s Health Research
Historically, the longstanding bias towards males in medical research has left women underrepresented in healthcare. Many diagnostic tools, treatment protocols, and medicines were developed using data primarily from male participants.
As women and men may experience disease differently, this bias means that the tools used to diagnose and treat illnesses are often less effective for women. Without research to explore these differences, women will continue to experience worse outcomes. For example, research has found that women are 50 to 75% more likely to have adverse drug reactions2.
Disorders that predominantly or exclusively affect women have also received less attention and funding than their impact warrants. Conditions such as endometriosis, vulvodynia, and menopause can significantly affect quality of life, employment, mental wellbeing, and long-term health.
Furthering our understanding of women’s health will enable healthcare professionals to develop more accurate diagnostics, better treatments, and more effective prevention strategies.
Better Science Benefits Everyone
Women’s health research is often framed as a women’s issue, but its benefits extend far beyond half the population. Inclusive research produces more robust scientific evidence and improves understanding of how treatments work across diverse populations.
Studying sex-based differences in drug responses can help researchers identify safer dosages, predict side effects more accurately, and develop more effective therapies. This leads to better healthcare for all patients, regardless of sex.
The Future of Women’s Health Research
Women’s health research has made major advances in the last decade, such as improvements in maternal health and treatment of uterine cancer. However, there are still significant gaps in both understanding and treatment of women’s health conditions, overall.
Vulvodynia, pain in the vulva with no known cause, affects 18% of women in the UK at some point in their lives3. Despite its prevalence, the condition is not well understood and is under-researched.
Women living with the condition often wait years for diagnosis, and once diagnosed, there is no approved treatment for vulvodynia in the UK. The treatments that may be offered include topical medications, oral pain relievers, physical therapy, and psychological support. However, some find that the treatments on offer for vulvodynia do not provide relief or negatively impact their sex life, for example, numbing cream.
MAC Clinical Research wants to change this.
Get Involved in UK Vulvodynia Research
MAC Clinical Research is currently seeking volunteers with a diagnosis or symptoms of vulvodynia who would like to take part in a new clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an investigational medication for the treatment of vulvodynia.
You will receive up to £1730 for your time and commitment if you are eligible and complete the trial, plus travel expenses or transport will be provided for any clinic visits.
For more information and to register your interest, please visit our vulvodynia research webpage.
References
1 National Library of Medicine – Intersectoral action to transform health equity for women and girls globally
2 UNSW Sydney – Women are 50–75% more likely to have adverse drug reactions. A new mouse study explains why
3 NIHR – The silent and widely impacting cost of Vulvodynia: lessons learned and future recommendations
