Each year on 28 May, the world observes the International Day for Action on Women’s Health, a date established in 1987 to recognise and advocate for women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. While wellness has become a buzzword in modern health culture, the conversation around women’s health must go far deeper than supplements and spa days.
Women’s health is about access, equity, and the right to be seen, studied, and supported. And one of the clearest examples of where this has gone wrong is in the global response to COVID-19—specifically in how women were left out of conversations about the vaccine’s impact on menstrual health.
The Gender Data Gap in Medicine
Historically, medical research has underrepresented women in clinical trials, especially in studies relating to medications and vaccines. While some of this was initially due to concerns about pregnancy-related risks, the long-term effect is that much of our healthcare—dosages, diagnostic standards, treatment plans—has been based on the male body.
Women’s hormones, menstrual cycles, and life stages (such as perimenopause and menopause) are often seen as complicating variables rather than essential aspects of human biology that need to be studied and understood.
COVID-19 Vaccines and Menstrual Health: What We Now Know
The roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine highlighted this gap in a profound way. After receiving the vaccine, many women globally reported experiencing changes to their menstrual cycles—including heavier bleeding, missed periods, and spotting after menopause. These weren’t isolated cases, but rather part of a growing pattern that had been overlooked in initial clinical trials.
A study published in Science Advances in 2022 surveyed over 39,000 individuals and confirmed that menstrual disturbances post-vaccination were statistically significant and worthy of further investigation. However, many women felt dismissed or gaslit when they raised these concerns, with medical professionals and media initially brushing them off as anecdotal.
This wasn’t a case of vaccine misinformation or hesitancy—it was about a lack of research and inclusion. As Nature reported, menstruation is rarely considered a metric in vaccine trials. Yet for millions of women, it is a clear indicator of health and balance.
Women’s Health Is a Rights Issue
This lack of inclusion is symptomatic of a broader issue: women’s health is still not treated as a human rights priority. Despite living longer than men, women suffer more from chronic illnesses, are more likely to be misdiagnosed, and are less frequently prescribed effective pain relief.
Systemic gaps in access to healthcare—particularly sexual and reproductive care—still persist around the world, including in developed countries. Stigma, policy restrictions, and lack of funding continue to make it difficult for women to receive the support they need to thrive.
Destigmatising Taboo Topics
From periods and menopause to fertility and sexual wellbeing, too many aspects of women’s health remain taboo. This culture of silence leads to late diagnoses of conditions such as endometriosis or PCOS, and leaves many women feeling alone or ashamed when they experience symptoms that are not openly discussed.
Normalising these conversations is not just helpful—it’s essential. Destigmatising women’s health creates the conditions for better research, more inclusive care models, and empowered patients.
What Needs to Change
Meaningful progress requires more than individual self-care. It demands systemic change, including:
Gender-inclusive clinical trials
Menstrual health data as a standard part of vaccine and drug testing
Increased investment in women’s health research and innovation
Education that empowers girls and women to understand their bodies and advocate for themselves
Policies that protect reproductive and sexual health rights
These changes must be backed by both public health institutions and private sector innovators who are willing to centre women’s needs.
Final Thoughts
Wellness isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about having the freedom and resources to care for yourself fully. This May 28, let us remember that women’s health is not a luxury or a lifestyle—it’s a fundamental right.
By advocating for better data, more inclusive research, and open conversations, we can begin to build a world where women are no longer afterthoughts in health policy—but key stakeholders in shaping it.
References
Images: Envato
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