To Be a Woman

The Story

Researchers are trying to answer big health questions for women.

On what?

Autoimmune diseases and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Of the up to 50 million Americans living with an autoimmune disease like lupus, about 80% are women. As many as 5 million American women live with PCOS, but it often goes undiagnosed. This week, researchers published studies on the issues. Here’s what they found on…

Autoimmune diseases…There’s an RNA molecule called Xist (pronounced like “exist” and has no known ties to Elon Musk). Xist’s job is to shut down one of the two X chromosomes that women typically have so their body doesn’t make toxic levels of proteins. Now, a new study suggests that Xist can confuse cells in the process, causing the body to produce an overactive immune response. Men with XY chromosomes don’t necessarily have this problem. Researchers say Xist may help explain why women are more likely to get an autoimmune disease than men and that it could help lead to new treatment options. Still, more studies are needed since men can end up with the same autoimmune diseases.

PCOS…It’s a hormonal imbalance that can lead to infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, and excess body hair. There isn’t much known on how it can affect brain health. Now, new research suggests there could be an association between PCOS and cognitive decline in women. At the end of the 30-year study, participants with PCOS reportedly scored about 11% lower on the attention test compared to others who didn't have the condition. The decline for women began around the midlife mark (typically between the 40s to 60s). Still, the researchers say more studies are needed since there’s just a correlation now, not causation.

theSkimm

For years, women have been overlooked by medical research, underrepresented in medical trials,and had their doctors dismiss their concerns — an issue that is especially true for women of color.Now, new research could validate these women’s experiences and develop new pathways for treatment.