For generations, much of the foundational knowledge in modern medicine has been built on research conducted primarily on men. However, women’s bodies are profoundly different from men’s at the hormonal, cellular, and organ system levels. Because women have historically been underrepresented in clinical studies, major gaps remain in our understanding of how diseases develop, how symptoms appear, and how treatments affect female patients.
Heart disease is a powerful example of this disparity. Early research focused almost entirely on male patients, leading doctors to be trained to recognize the symptoms typically experienced by men during heart attacks. It took years for the medical community to fully understand that women often have very different warning signs.
In fact, women were largely excluded from early clinical trials in the United States until policy changes in the 1990s required their inclusion, according to Leslee J. Shaw, PhD, an internationally renowned researcher and Director of the Blavatnik Family Women’s Health Research Institute.
“These gaps in knowledge are still affecting care today. Even though women in the United States visit doctors more often than men and live longer, they experience higher rates of chronic illness and poorer overall health,” says Dr. Shaw, who is also Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, and Medicine (Cardiology), and Vice Chair for Research in the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
But a major shift is underway.
At the Carolyn Rowan Center for Women’s Health and Wellness, advancing women’s health is grounded in a deep commitment to evidence-based medicine and innovative scientific discovery. By supporting groundbreaking research and helping close longstanding gaps in medical knowledge, the Rowan Women’s Health Center is contributing to the rewriting of “HERstory” — ensuring women are no longer overlooked in health care and creating a future where they can truly thrive.
Writing a New Chapter
Researchers at the Blavatnik Family Women’s Health Research Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine, led by Dr. Shaw, are creating “HERstory”—an initiative to reframe history and build a deeper understanding of women’s health. They are studying the unique biological differences and life experiences that shape women’s bodies over time. This includes a dedicated focus on conditions that disproportionately affect women, such as autoimmune disorders, diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, and depression. Importantly, it means ensuring women are included in all aspects of clinical research.
“Even though women in the United States visit doctors more often than men and live longer, they experience higher rates of chronic illness and poorer overall health,” says Leslee J. Shaw, PhD.
A New Way to Evaluate Women’s Health Risks
Doctors are rethinking how to evaluate health risks for female patients. This new approach combines evaluating traditional biomarkers—such as blood pressure and glucose control—with hormonal health transitions unique to women, including pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.
By examining patterns across a woman’s reproductive and overall health history—what researchers call “HERstory”—they hope to uncover early warning signs of chronic diseases before symptoms become serious.
What Researchers Want to Understand
Mount Sinai researchers are closely tracking a range of female-specific symptoms, including:
- Menstrual and pelvic pain
- Menopausal hot flashes and night sweats
- Headaches and migraines
- Atypical chest pain
- Brain fog and cognitive changes
They will also track lifestyle factors such as sleep, exercise, and stress management. By connecting these pieces, the researchers hope to identify early signals of potential health risks and intervene sooner.
The Ultimate Goal
The ultimate goal is to help women remain healthy throughout every stage of life, according to Dr. Shaw.
“By connecting the dots across a woman’s lifespan at the Rowan Women’s Health Center, this research will improve how chronic diseases are prevented, diagnosed, and treated for generations to come,” she says.