Survey study, 2022
What are the biggest research gaps in women's health, especially for menstrual conditions?
Research is lacking in many important areas, especially communication between women and doctors about health, and support for menstrual conditions like PMDD and heavy periods. There is more research on menopause but not on how to help women manage other conditions.
What they did
Searched and reviewed published research to map the nature and volume of evidence on women's health. Topics included doctor communication, specialist access, endometriosis, menopause, and menstrual conditions like PMDD, heavy periods, fibroids, and adenomyosis.
What they found
Very little primary research exists on communication between women and healthcare professionals. Large gaps exist in research about managing endometriosis, PMDD, heavy menstrual bleeding, fibroids, adenomyosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Substantial evidence exists on menopause. No active research funding was found for many priority areas including cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, and long COVID in women.
What it means for you
Many conditions affecting women are understudied, especially PMDD and practical ways to help women manage menstrual problems. Doctors and women need better research-backed support. The research community should prioritize funding for these overlooked areas.
About the study
- Original title
- A rapid evidence map of womens health
- Authors
- Edwards D, Csontos J, Gillen E et al.
- Journal
- medRxiv
- Year
- 2022
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 23
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1101/2022.11.09.22282129
Topics
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