Swedish Healthcare's Male Norms Leave Women's Health Needs Neglected

Swedish healthcare systems continue to struggle with adequately addressing women's health, as many medical practices remain based on male health norms, leading to widespread misunderstanding and minimization of women's health issues. From adolescence through menopause and beyond, women face numerous challenges without sufficient medical support, according to an article published on January 11, 2026.

Conditions such as endometriosis are often misdiagnosed, resulting in an average diagnosis delay of seven years, causing prolonged suffering. Menstrual pain, hormonal disorders including PMS, PMDS, and hormonal migraines, as well as thyroid disorders— which affect women up to ten times more than men — frequently go overlooked or are mistaken for stress-related problems. Despite contraceptives being widely prescribed, follow-ups regarding side effects seldom occur, leaving women to manage adverse effects on their own.

During menopause, symptoms like hot flashes and cognitive difficulties are often wrongly labeled as mental health concerns, leading to inappropriate antidepressant prescriptions rather than effective hormonal treatments. Post-menopause, women face increased risks of osteoporosis, but preventive screening and care remain insufficient, with many women only diagnosed after severe complications such as fractures.

The situation is notably problematic in Region Gävleborg, where the gynecological clinic fails to meet healthcare guarantees. Women there endure long wait times despite legal rights to prompt care and are often left to navigate the healthcare system alone.

Experts emphasize the urgent need for reform in Sweden’s approach to women’s health, including specialized clinics, comprehensive training on women's hormonal biology for healthcare professionals, systematic osteoporosis screening, and stricter adherence to care agreements. Addressing these systemic issues is framed not only as a matter of women's equity but as essential for societal health and fairness.