Why Women Were Left Out of Medical Research — And How to Advocate for Your Health

Here are the show notes for the podcast episode.

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Episode Title: Why Women Were Left Out of Medical Research — And How to Advocate for Your Health

Episode Summary

Did you know that for decades, medicine was tested almost exclusively on men? The findings were then handed down to women as if we were simply smaller versions of men. The results have been devastating. From medication dosages that leave women over-prescribed to nutrition advice that ignores our unique hormonal cycles, the "male default" in medicine has failed us.

In this eye-opening episode, Amy Mewborn pulls back the curtain on the history of medical research, revealing why women were systematically excluded from clinical trials for decades. You'll learn the shocking statistic that women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from adverse drug reactions and discover why common advice on sleep, fasting, and exercise may not be working for you.

This episode isn't just about the problem—it's about the solution. Amy provides a clear, actionable plan to help you advocate for your health. By the end, you'll be armed with the right questions to ask your doctor, a deeper understanding of your own biology, and simple, powerful adjustments you can make this week to reclaim your energy, honor your body's natural rhythms, and build a truly personalized wellness plan.

Key Topics Discussed

• The Shocking History of Medical Research: Learn about the 1977 FDA guidance that excluded women of childbearing age from clinical trials and the landmark 1993 NIH Revitalization Act that finally mandated their inclusion.
• The Cost of the "Male Default": Discover how treating women as "small men" has led to significant health risks, including a nearly doubled rate of adverse drug reactions compared to men.
• The Ambien Example: A powerful case study of how women metabolize drugs differently, leading the FDA to cut the recommended dose of Ambien for women in half—decades after it was first prescribed.
• Heart Disease in Women: Why women often present with different heart attack symptoms (like jaw pain and nausea) and how the male-centric model of crushing chest pain has led to misdiagnoses.
• Sleep and Your Circadian Rhythm: Understand why women's circadian cycles are slightly shorter than men's and how to align your routine with your biology for better sleep using simple tips like morning light exposure and a strategic caffeine cut-off.
• Fasting for Women's Bodies: Amy shares her personal story of gaining weight with intermittent fasting and explains why popular fasting protocols often backfire for women. Learn a gentler, cycle-aware approach to fasting that supports hormonal health.
• Working With Your Hormones, Not Against Them: A breakdown of how to adapt your lifestyle to the different phases of your menstrual cycle (luteal and follicular) and how to adjust for perimenopause and menopause.
• The Hopeful Future of Women's Health: Learn about recent changes, like the NIH's "Sex as a Biological Variable" policy, that are paving the way for a more inclusive and accurate future in medicine.
• How to Be Your Own Health Advocate: Arm yourself with four crucial questions to ask your doctor to ensure you receive personalized care that honors your unique female biology.

Notable Moments & Quotes

• "Women are nearly twice as likely as men to suffer adverse drug reactions. Twice as likely. Think about that for a moment."
• "It wasn’t until 2013—yes, 2013—that the FDA officially cut the recommended dose for [Ambien] for women in half. That’s decades of women being overmedicated simply because no one looked closely enough."
• "Only about eight percent of nutrition trials report sex-specific results. So when you see bold headlines like ‘Intermittent fasting works for weight loss,’ most of those studies didn’t separate the men from the women."
• Amy's personal experience: "Hubby could go to one meal a day for a week and lose 10 pounds. I could go to one meal a day for a week and gain two pounds."
• "Your biology is not a character flaw. You don’t need to push harder or shame yourself for being tired earlier. You need to align your environment with your body’s natural timing."
• "You are not moody, broken, or lazy. You are cyclical. And once you learn your rhythm, you can build your health around it in a way that feels supportive and sustainable.”

Call to Action

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a sister, friend, or any woman in your life who deserves to feel empowered in her health journey. Together, we can change the conversation and demand better care for all.

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Links & Resources

• Free Living Simpler Health Resources: https://living-simpler.com/resources
• Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymewborn
• Shop Amy's Top Wellness Picks: https://www.amazon.com/shop/amymewborn
• Shop Amy's Fave Shaklee Products: https://us.shaklee.com/en_US/amymewborn/storefront