Despite making up more than half of the U.S. population, women’s health is still often treated as a niche field in medicine. More than 10 percent of women experience difficulty achieving or maintaining pregnancy, and nearly all live long enough to reach menopause. Yet many are left without clear answers or effective treatment for abnormal periods, infertility, recurrent miscarriage and the wide range of symptoms common in perimenopause and menopause. 

Women also frequently face gaps in care beyond reproductive health. Conditions that are more common in women, such as autoimmune diseases, thyroid disorders, anxiety and depression, are often dismissed, misdiagnosed or inadequately treated. Similar bias exists in conditions like heart disease, which is often perceived as a male illness despite being more common in women and their number one cause of death. Delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis contribute to poorer outcomes for female patients.

Longstanding Gaps in Care

These disparities have existed since the early development of modern medicine. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, medicine became more formally established through advances in anatomy, germ theory and microscopy. Obstetrics and gynecology emerged as a medical specialty in the 18th century. Prior to that, childbirth and most women’s health care were managed by midwives.

In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree. However, women remained largely underrepresented in medicine for more than a century. By the early 1970s, about 10 percent of new physicians were women, increasing to more than 20 percent by the end of the decade.

In recent years, small shifts have begun making major impacts for both female and male patients. 2019 marked the first time that women made up more than half of physicians that completed training. This is important for all patients because numerous studies show that patients of female physicians are consistently healthier and live longer than those of male physicians. 

Advances in women’s health care have also gained national attention. In late 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration removed the black box warning from vaginal estrogen products, which are now recognized as safe and effective treatments for postmenopausal women. Research has shown these therapies reduce the risk of serious urinary tract infections in older women, including some that can become life-threatening. This landmark reversal was spearheaded by several female physicians that work in women’s health.

Looking Toward the Future

Women also use healthcare services more frequently than men and are often the healthcare decision-makers within their households. We are just now entering a time in history where more women than men are not only receiving healthcare services, but are also starting to lead healthcare delivery. 

While health care in the United States remains imperfect, we are living through an incredible era in medicine. Perhaps in the next few generations, our daughters and granddaughters will finally and consistently have answers, compassion and healing when they visit their physicians.

Dr. Danielle J. Miller is a family physician who opened Luz Medicine—located at 29 Cloister Ave., in Ephrata—in 2020 to bring “light” to patient care. The practice focuses on listening, comprehensive evaluation, and guiding patients toward health and wellness. Luz Medicine offers women’s health services, including perimenopause and menopause care, menstrual irregularities, infertility, miscarriage and pregnancy support. For more information, visit LuzMedicine.com.