Women’s Health

Women* — including cis women, trans women, and all people who identify as women — have not always been equally represented in medical research and healthcare. Much has improved, but important gaps still remain.

Misdiagnoses and overlooked symptoms: Women* with heart attacks are less likely to receive the correct diagnosis because their symptoms (such as nausea, shortness of breath, or back pain) differ from those of men. Diagnostic standards, however, are still based on the male body.

Research gaps still exist: Women* are now routinely included in clinical trials — an important change from the past. However, some areas still lack enough research on sex-related differences, including how medicines work, which side effects occur, and whether the best dosage differs.

Endometriosis, PCOS, menopause — too little research: Many gynecological conditions remain undetected for years because they are under-researched and too often dismissed. Women* need healthcare that takes their needs seriously.

Racism in Medicine

Medicine should be equal for everyone — but it isn’t. Black women*, migrant women*, and People of Color often face structural disadvantages in the healthcare system.

Lack of research on non-white bodies: Many medical studies are based almost exclusively on white participants. This means that diagnostics, medications, and treatment guidelines are not adapted to diverse populations.

Less pain treatment: Studies show that Black patients are less likely to receive pain medication than white patients, because doctors often underestimate their pain.

Higher risk of complications in maternal care: Black women face a significantly higher risk of complications during childbirth — not because of biological differences, but due to poorer medical care and systemic bias.

Skin diseases and diagnostics: Many skin conditions are illustrated in textbooks almost exclusively on white skin, which leads to late or incorrect diagnoses in Black people and PoC.

Our demand: More research with diverse study participants, mandatory training for healthcare professionals on anti-racist and diversity-sensitive care, and greater visibility of non-white conditions in textbooks and medical databases.

Ableism in Medicine

Ableism describes the disadvantaging of people on the basis of disability, chronic illness, or physical and psychological difference. In medicine too, ableist and patriarchal assumptions shape which bodies count as “normal” and whose experiences are taken seriously. Disabled women* in particular experience discrimination at the intersection of ableism and sexism. (Beitrag der Interessensvertretung Frauen* mit Behinderungen – FmB)

Symptoms that are not taken seriously: complaints are dismissed or attributed to the disability rather than investigated in their own right.

Decision-making capacity called into question: disabled women* are often not trusted to decide about their own health and treatment.

Restricted sexual and reproductive self-determination: their sexual and reproductive autonomy is limited and their needs are barely considered in care.

What we therefore call for: a medicine that recognises different bodies and lived realities, that listens to disabled women*, and that centres their self-determination, bodily autonomy and equal participation. Feminist anti-ableism means making these power relations visible and dismantling them.

Gender Medicine

We advocate for medical research and practice that take gender differences seriously and are based on current scientific knowledge.

Better medical education: doctors must learn to recognize and treat gender-specific differences.

Drug testing for all: medications must be researched and tested so that they work equally well for women as for men.

Healthcare for queer people: Trans* and non-binary individuals need healthcare that respects their bodies and their needs.

Women in Sports

Sports and physical activity are essential for health — yet women and queer people face unique challenges in sports.

Sports medicine for women: Women have different muscle metabolism, different injury risks, and hormonal fluctuations that affect their performance. Despite this, there is very little research.

Breaking myths: “Women shouldn’t lift heavy weights,” “Sports harm fertility” — myths like these persist. We provide accurate information about what is truly healthy.

Equality in sports: Women* are underrepresented in professional sports, receive less funding and lower pay, and continue to fight for recognition. We advocate for fair conditions and greater visibility.