Your Sex Makes All The Difference When It Comes to Health

With health, it's important to realize that sex matters. Women's and men's bodies are so different, and scientists and medical professionals are beginning to realize how much sex makes a difference.

Early in 2014, the FDA announced they were cutting the recommended dose of Ambien, the most popular sleep medicine in the United States, by half for women, according to 60 Minutes. It was discovered that when taking Ambien, women and men reacted to the drug very differently. A greater amount of the drug was left in women's bodies the next morning, which lead to a larger risk of impaired driving. Today, Ambien is the only prescription drug in the United States where the prescription dose for men and women differs.

This finding has a huge impact on health. For years, doctors and the medical industry have been treating men and women the same way for many conditions. But they are now understanding that sex makes a huge difference, and that women and men should be treated differently in many circumstances.

Click here to watch the original segment on 60 Minutes.

Add a Comment1 Comments

Empowered

Pat Elliott Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

Hi Michelle and thanks for your insight and comments.

One's gender does indeed make a huge difference in how an individual responds to medication. Clinical trial research for new drugs needs to not only include more women as trial subjects but to also do more to test the differences that one's weight makes in drug absorption and metabolism. The more personalized the data can become the better it will be for all of us.

Best regards,

Pat

October 22, 2014 - 5:06pm