Female Doctors Demand Gender-Sensitive Medicine as New Standard in Healthcare

The Hartmannbund Network of Female Physicians is pushing for gender-sensitive health research and care to become a mandatory standard. Spokespersons argue that current medical practices often overlook key differences between men and women, leading to unequal treatment outcomes.

Since 2010, awareness of gender-specific medicine in Germany has grown. Diagnoses of endometriosis, for example, doubled between 2005 and 2025, affecting over 500,000 women. Reports like the Barmer Arztreport 2026 and Ärztezeitung have also highlighted disparities, such as women facing higher heart attack risks than previously recognised.

Dr. Wenke Wichmann, a spokesperson for the network, stresses the need to include biological differences, social factors, and gender-specific risks in medical studies, guidelines, and healthcare systems. She points out that even in cardiology, where gender-specific data is more developed, critical gaps remain.

Historically, many medications were tested mostly on men. This has led to variations in how women metabolise drugs, often resulting in more frequent adverse reactions. Dr. Iris Illing, another spokesperson, explains that equal treatment does not always mean fair or effective care for women.

Dr. Dr. Galina Fischer adds that women's health should not focus solely on reproductive organs. She argues for a broader approach that examines all organ systems to ensure comprehensive care.

The network's call for binding standards aims to address long-standing gaps in medical research and practice. If adopted, these changes would require systematic integration of gender-specific factors into studies, guidelines, and healthcare policies. The goal is to reduce disparities and improve treatment outcomes for women across all areas of medicine.