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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Learn about the gender bias around Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!

Millions of people worldwide suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), commonly referred to as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), a devastating illness. Symptoms of CFS include profound fatigue lasting at least six months, unrefreshing sleep, and a worsening of symptoms after physical and mental struggles. It may significantly hinder cognitive and physical capacities if not identified and treated early, restricting daily activities and lowering quality of life. While there is no cure for this issue, treatments can aid in reducing the effects of certain symptoms to improve the quality of life. A few approaches include medication to reduce pain and disturbances in sleep, cognitive behavioral therapy, and lifestyle modifications to prevent aggravation of symptoms. However, this illness continues to be overlooked and mainly misunderstood despite its extensive impact. The gender bias present in medical research and healthcare is a major contributing factor to this negligence. Women are diagnosed with ME/CFS at a higher rate (1.7%) than men (0.9%), with an estimated 1.3% of adults in the US affected. Historically, the condition has been neglected, making it difficult for many women to receive the care they need.

The path to diagnosis is extensive and frustrating for many women. In a Cosmopolitan article, Jen Brea, who had a late diagnosis of ME/CFS, talked about her experience. "She looked for a year to find a cause for her severe dizziness, frequent infections, and unsettling neurological symptoms, but each specialist rejected her. She was simply under stress. She wasn't drinking enough water. Nothing was wrong." Often, women suffering from CFS are told their symptoms are imaginary, or they are diagnosed with psychiatric conditions like conversion disorder, a label that has its roots in the outdated and stigmatizing concept of hysteria. Many women are ignored or overlooked as a result of this misconception, which also leads to a lack of research and treatment.

This lack of funding is part of a larger trend in medical research, where diseases that primarily affect women receive significantly less attention than those that impact men. A 2023 analysis published in Nature found that "when ranked by funding amount, research on diseases that affect mostly or exclusively women—such as migraine, endometriosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and anxiety disorders—are underfunded relative to the burden they place on the female population." Because of the disparity, millions of women suffer without receiving proper medical care, while increased priority is continuously given to illnesses that predominantly influence men.

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In conclusion, society needs to understand how serious CFS is, especially when women are particularly susceptible. We need to push for more financing for research, improved training for medical professionals, and a more compassionate perspective toward those in need. The first step in eliminating gender bias and enhancing the lives of many patients is increasing awareness. We can work toward an age when ME/CFS patients, regardless of gender, get the attention, support, and care they have the right to be stepping up and demanding change.

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