· By Amy Suzanne Upchurch, Founder + CEO of Pink Stork, Certified Health Coach, INHC
Why Has Women's Health Research Relied on Male Data, and What Does That Mean for Supplements?
For most of the twentieth century, women of reproductive age were routinely excluded from clinical research, and basic biomedical studies defaulted to male cells and animal models.1 That left a lasting gap in understanding how women's bodies respond differently to nutrients, medications, and aging itself. It also means that many supplement formulas were originally built on data that was never designed with women in mind, which is part of why women-specific formulation has become a meaningful distinction rather than a marketing label.
How women were left out of the research base
Until later decades of the twentieth century, women of reproductive capacity were considered a vulnerable population and were systematically excluded from clinical research.2 The 1993 NIH Revitalization Act began requiring the inclusion of women in federally funded clinical trials, but researchers have spent decades since playing catch-up.1 Even now, female enrollment in NIH-funded research reached only about 52 percent as recently as 2018, and separate analysis by sex within study results remains inconsistent across the broader research landscape.1
One frequently cited example of what this gap costs in practice: the sleep medication zolpidem was prescribed at the same dose to men and women for years before regulators recognized that women metabolize it more slowly, prompting a dosage change.2 Researchers point to this as a sign that other medications and supplements marketed to both sexes may still carry similar, undocumented gaps.2
Why the research world is finally shifting
In 2016, the National Institutes of Health began requiring researchers to account for sex as a biological variable in the design, analysis, and reporting of federally funded studies.3 According to the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health, an over-reliance on male animals and cells in basic research can obscure important sex-based differences in health processes and outcomes.3 A national survey of biomedical researchers found that awareness of this policy has grown substantially, though implementation still varies widely across the field.4
"What are the things that you can gain from optimizing your health?"
— Dr. Tosin Odunsi, MD, MPH, FACOG, Obstetrics and Gynecology Physician
What this means for how supplements get formulated
A supplement formula built primarily on male physiological data is not automatically wrong for women, but it also is not automatically right. That is a meaningful distinction when it comes to nutrient forms and doses, since research increasingly shows that absorption, metabolism, and nutrient needs shift across a woman's life stages in ways that a one-size-fits-all formula does not always account for.† It is also the reasoning behind formulating Total Prenatal, designed for preconception through breastfeeding, around nutrient forms studied specifically for female reproductive life stages, including methylated folate and iron bisglycinate chelate, rather than the synthetic forms found in many general multivitamins.†
- Methylated folate (5-MTHF) supports healthy fetal neural tube development and is the bioavailable form of folate the body uses directly.†
- Iron bisglycinate chelate supports healthy iron status and is formulated to be gentler on digestion than ferrous sulfate.†
- Choline supports healthy fetal brain and spinal cord development.†
The same principle applies to our beef organ supplement formulated specifically for women, which includes female-focused bovine uterus and ovary powder alongside liver, heart, and kidney, developed with input from an expert advisory panel of OB/GYNs and registered dietitians rather than adapted from a general formula.
"We started Pink Stork because we believe women deserve products built with them in mind from the very first ingredient, not as an afterthought. That conviction is rooted in our faith and confirmed by good science."
— Amy Suzanne Upchurch, Founder and CEO of Pink Stork
This research gap also connects directly to the longevity conversation happening right now. For more on how that plays out specifically around ovarian health and aging, read our guide on ovarian aging and women's longevity, and for the cellular energy side of that picture, see what cellular aging means for women in their 30s.
Frequently asked questions
When were women required to be included in clinical research?
The NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 began requiring the inclusion of women in federally funded clinical trials. Broader requirements to analyze data by sex followed in 2016 with the NIH's Sex as a Biological Variable policy.
Are women still underrepresented in research today?
Representation has improved significantly, but analysis by sex within study results remains inconsistent, and much of the foundational research used to establish standard doses and formulas predates these policy changes.
Does this affect supplements as well as medications?
Supplement research faces similar gaps. Many nutrient dosing standards were established using data that did not account for how women's needs shift across reproductive life stages.
What does "women-specific formulation" actually mean?
It means a product's ingredient forms, doses, and combinations were chosen based on research relevant to women's physiology and life stages, rather than adapted from a general or male-normed formula.†
Is Total Prenatal only relevant during pregnancy?
Total Prenatal is formulated to support preconception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Some women continue similar nutrient support beyond these stages for general nutrient density, which we cover in a separate guide.
How can I tell if a supplement was formulated with women's research in mind?
Look for transparency about the specific nutrient forms used (such as methylated folate versus folic acid), third-party testing, and formulation input from women's health professionals such as OB/GYNs and registered dietitians.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or while managing a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.
