Why Women Were Left Out of Scientific Studies and Why It Matters

Why Women Were Left Out of Scientific Studies and Why It Matters

When it comes to health and fitness research, women have often been left out of the equation. For decades, scientific studies primarily focused on men, with the assumption that the results could be applied universally. But as many of us now know—especially those navigating perimenopause and postmenopause—this one-size-fits-all approach has left women underserved, misunderstood, and sometimes even at risk.

If you’re a woman over 40 in Calgary looking for a personal fitness trainer who understands these gaps in research, it’s important to know why these disparities exist and how they impact your health and fitness.

Why Have Women Been Excluded?

1. Hormonal Complexity

One of the main reasons women have been left out of scientific studies is the complexity of the female hormonal cycle. The menstrual cycle, with its fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, was often considered too unpredictable for researchers to control variables effectively. Rather than account for these changes, many scientists chose to exclude women altogether.

Translation: Instead of understanding how hormonal shifts impact exercise, metabolism, and recovery, researchers simply avoided the challenge, leaving a huge gap in knowledge.

2. Fear of Liability During Pregnancy

Another reason for excluding women was the concern about potential harm to pregnant participants. After the tragic outcomes of the thalidomide crisis in the 1960s—when a drug caused severe birth defects—researchers became hesitant to include women of childbearing age in clinical trials. While this caution was necessary at the time, it led to a prolonged period where women were completely excluded from many types of research.

3. Assumption That Men Are the “Standard”

Historically, the male body was viewed as the default model for human physiology. Researchers assumed that because men and women share many biological similarities, findings from male subjects could be applied to women. However, this approach ignored critical differences in hormone levels, metabolism, and recovery processes—differences that are especially pronounced during perimenopause and postmenopause.

The Impact of This Oversight

1. Inaccurate Dosages and Treatment Plans

Because most medication trials were conducted on men, women often receive incorrect dosages or experience unexpected side effects. For example, women metabolize certain medications differently due to variations in liver enzymes, yet these factors weren’t considered in early clinical trials.

2. Limited Understanding of Exercise and Recovery

When it comes to fitness, the exclusion of women has resulted in limited information about how to optimize strength training, endurance, and recovery for the female body—especially during perimenopause and postmenopause. Women’s bodies respond differently to stress, recover at different rates, and require tailored approaches to avoid injury and maximize results.

3. Delayed Progress in Women’s Health

The lack of research on women’s health means that conditions like osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and even mental health disorders have been misunderstood or under-researched. This delay in understanding has had real consequences for women seeking effective treatments and preventative care.

Why This Matters for Women Over 40

For Calgarian women in perimenopause and postmenopause, this lack of research means that many of the fitness programs, nutrition plans, and health advice they receive may not be optimized for their bodies. As a trainer specializing in women’s health, I know that women in this phase of life need customized approaches that take into account hormonal changes, bone density, and shifting metabolic rates.

What’s Changing—and What You Can Do

Thankfully, awareness is growing, and more researchers are recognizing the importance of including women in scientific studies. Organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) now require that women be included in federally funded research, and experts like Dr. Stacy Sims are leading the charge in uncovering how women’s bodies respond differently to training, nutrition, and stress.

Check out this video featuring Dr. Stacy Sims here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1uksGzoick&ab_channel=LiveWellBeWellwithSarahAnnMacklin

As a woman navigating this phase of life, here’s what you can do:

✔️ Seek Out Trainers Who Understand Women’s Physiology: Look for trainers who specialize in working with women over 40 and understand the nuances of perimenopause and postmenopause.

✔️ Be Your Own Advocate: Ask questions, do your research, and don’t be afraid to challenge generalized advice that doesn’t feel right for your body.

✔️ Support Ongoing Research: Follow and support organizations that prioritize women’s health research. The more we advocate for inclusion, the better the information available to us.

Final Thoughts

The exclusion of women from scientific studies has had lasting effects, but change is happening. As women, we have the power to demand more personalized, evidence-based approaches to our health and fitness. If you’re in Calgary and looking for a personal trainer who understands the unique challenges of perimenopause and postmenopause, I’m here to help you navigate this journey with knowledge, strength, and confidence.

Ready to take control of your health? Let’s connect and start building a plan tailored just for you! 💪

Book your FREE consultation here – http://michellefreimark.com/contact

Thank you for taking the time to read my article on Why Women Were Left Out of Scientific Studies and Why It Matters