In the early 20th century, labor movements and demands for better working conditions, voting rights, and equal opportunities rose, highlighting the progress in women's empowerment. Women were now raising their voices against gender disparities, it was all to make a better, a more inclusive society! Thus the day of March 8 came to be known as International Women's Day, wherein each year we celebrate women's achievements. But, has the society really become inclusive? Something as basic as medical needs are still driven by men, based on men, and women are high underrepresented. Their bodies are considered atypical, while men's bodies are the norm, since 1946, notes the Pew Research Center. This is why most of the modern medicine do not take how the medicine reacts on women's body in account.

As per the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), despite the policy and social changes in 1990s which helped turn the tide, women are still underrepresented in research. In fact, a 2019 study published in Author Manuscript, titled Inclusion of female does not increase variability in rodent research studies highlight that even to this date, many medical researcher avoid conducting studies on female mice. The reason being greater costs associated with purchasing and housing both sexes and concerns that the fluctuating hormones and reproductive systems of female mice may confound the study results. However, isn't what they are supposed to find? Don't women's cycles, their hormone and how the body and its hormones react to a medicine deserve to be studied for better administration of medicines.

AAMC also highlights the historical biases, which have been designed to shield unborn children from exposure of drugs and treatments and ongoing challenges to recruiting and retaining women in clinical trials and medical research limit the understanding of women, their experiences, conditions, and more. There is already so many biases surrounding women, more, if you are a woman of color.

A 2022 study published in Nature, Let's Talk About (Biological) Sex, also highlights that women's hormones play a role in physiological, metabolic, hormonal and even cellular differences. All such factors can influence how disease present and effectiveness of the medicine. The biases run deep, despite the proven fact that heart diseases are the leading cause of death in the US for both men and women, the medical field only recognized that women experience a different symptom of the disease than men when the American Heart Association published its Guide to Preventative Cardiology for Woman in 1999.

Martha Gulati, MD, and a cardiologist at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, and director of prevention and associate director of Barbara Streisand Women's Heart Center and president of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology says, "Women shouldn’t be [put] in a ‘special populations’ category. It’s important to study women to find out how to care for [51%] of the population. We are the majority of the population. So, although women are special, we are not a ‘special population'."

Case Studies From When Women Were Ignored From Science

Before the 1970s, women were already underrepresented in medical research. Progress suffered another setback in 1977 when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented a policy barring women of reproductive potential from Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials—unless they had a life-threatening condition—according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women’s Health. This decision stemmed from the thalidomide tragedy of the previous decade, in which thousands of pregnant women in Europe and Australia took the drug for morning sickness, only to later discover it caused severe birth defects and even infant deaths. Although thalidomide was never approved in the U.S., the FDA’s policy response was sweeping, broadly interpreted to exclude nearly all premenopausal women from clinical trials, even those on birth control, with sterile partners, or abstaining from sex.

The 2016 study published in Pharmacy Practice mentions some of the trials where women have been highly underrepresented. Furthermore, there are many studies that one can look at and read for themselves. Some of these case studies are mentioned below:

1962: In response to the thalidomide tragedy—which caused over 10,000 infant deaths and birth defects in Europe and Australia—the U.S. strengthens the FDA’s authority.

1977: The FDA issues guidelines barring women of reproductive potential from early-phase clinical trials, except in cases of life-threatening conditions. This policy is broadly applied, effectively excluding most women of childbearing age from medical research.

1986: An NIH advisory committee recommends including women in medical research studies.

1990: The NIH establishes the Office of Research on Women’s Health to advance women’s health research and increase female representation in clinical trials—as both participants and investigators.

1991: Bernadine Healy, MD, becomes the first female director of the NIH.

1993: The FDA reverses its 1977 policy, now requiring the inclusion of women in clinical research unless exclusion is justified (e.g., for diseases affecting only men). That same year, Congress passes a law mandating the inclusion of women in NIH-funded clinical trials.

1994: The FDA establishes the Office of Women’s Health to promote women’s participation in clinical trials and improve women’s healthcare.

2001: The Institute of Medicine publishes a report highlighting the biological impact of sex differences and the need to study them in clinical research.

2022: A Harvard Medical School study finds that, as of 2019, women remain significantly underrepresented in clinical trials for major diseases.

Condiments often get a bad rap in the world of healthy eating, but experts suggest it's time to reconsider that stance. While many people feel their meals are incomplete without the familiar kick of ketchup, mayo, mustard, soy sauce, ranch, or hot sauce, not all of these additions are detrimental to health. In fact, some might even enhance the nutritional profile of your meals.

"I would way rather folks add a condiment that really brightens their day and makes their food enjoyable than for them to swear off that food entirely," registered dietitian Abbey Sharp told USA Today. "If ranch is the only way that you’re going to eat vegetables, by all means, you should be adding ranch."

While many assume that condiments only add empty calories or sodium, some health professionals believe that the right choices can contribute positively to your diet. The trick lies in selecting those with fewer additives and better nutritional value.

Choosing the lowest-calorie condiment may seem wise, but calories aren't the only factor to consider. Some condiments, though low in calories, are packed with artificial additives, sodium, and sugar—ingredients that can elevate the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. On the other hand, healthier condiments often contain little added sugar and are rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

Abbey Sharp warns against blindly choosing products labeled "fat-free" or "low-fat," as these can be loaded with sugar and salt to compensate for lost flavor. Instead, she recommends looking for items with shorter, simpler ingredient lists.

Homemade condiments are generally less processed and lower in calories, but plenty of store-bought options can also be healthy if you check the labels carefully. Experts have highlighted several condiments that offer both flavor and nutrition:

Pesto — Made with olive oil, Parmesan, basil, and pine nuts, pesto is not only flavorful but also a good source of zinc, supporting immunity and metabolism.

Mustard — While mustard is low in calories (about six per 10 grams), it often contains turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, it can be high in sodium, so moderation is key.

Guacamole — Rich in fiber, potassium, and healthy fats from avocados, guacamole can enhance satiety and overall nutrition. Sharp calls it her favorite condiment.

Balsamic Vinegar — Made from grapes, balsamic vinegar is packed with antioxidants that may protect cells and reduce heart disease risk.

Soy Sauce — Due to its high sodium content, consider making a homemade version using low-sodium vegetable broth, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices.

Tomato-Based Sauces — Tomatoes offer potassium, lycopene, and other nutrients. Homemade ketchup or salsa can reduce added sugar intake and avoid high-fructose corn syrup.

Hummus — A blend of chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and olive oil, hummus provides protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Hot Sauce — Often containing just peppers, salt, and vinegar, hot sauce can support gut health and digestion—though sodium remains a concern.

Tahini — Ground sesame seeds provide plant-based protein and selenium, which supports brain and immune health. Just two tablespoons supply 10% of an adult’s daily protein needs.

A knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, involves replacing damaged knee joint surfaces with metal and plastic parts to relieve pain and improve function, especially for those with severe arthritis or injury. However, there is not much information on what to do after the surgery is performed. Dr Ayesha Abdeen, chief of hip and knee replacement surgery at Boston Medical Center, recently took to social media to break down exactly what to expect—from managing pain in the first few days to getting back on your feet and returning to the activities you love.

Here's Exactly What You Can Expect?

Total knee replacement (TKR) Surgery is usually done using spinal anesthesia along with a nerve block to help reduce pain after surgery. Right after the procedure, you will likely still feel pain relief from the nerve blocks for about eight to 12 hours.

Once the spinal anesthesia wears off, which is usually within the first hour or so in the recovery room, you will be encouraged to start walking. Early movement helps speed up recovery and lowers the risk of serious blood clots that can form in your leg (deep vein thrombosis) and travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolism). You will also be given a medication to help prevent blood clots, such as aspirin or a stronger blood thinner (anticoagulant), depending on the type of clots you have.

Pain during the first few days after TKR can be strong, especially in the front and back of the knee. Pain in the back of the knee may be due to bone spurs caused by arthritis that are removed during the surgery. To help manage this, specific nerve blocks are used right before surgery. After surgery, a “multi-modal” approach to pain relief is used.

This means you’ll get a combination of medications like acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory drugs and low-dose opioids. These medications often begin before surgery and continue afterward. Opioids use is usually stopped after one to two weeks to reduce the risk of dizziness, breathing problems, constipation, nausea and other issues.

How Soon Can You Go Home?

What Exercises Can Help Speed Recovery?

Strengthening your quadriceps and hamstrings. Stretching these muscles improves flexibility at the knee in flexion (bending) and extension (straightening). This is key to avoiding scar tissue and stiffness. Balance and proprioception exercises (which help your body sense where your joints are) to prevent falls. Gait training to help improve the way you walk.

When Can I Return To Normal Activities?

You can start returning to sports gradually, based on your physical therapy and the type of sport. In general, most people return to sports within six to 12 weeks. Low-impact activities like walking, cycling, swimming and golf are recommended. It’s best to avoid high-impact activities like running or jumping to protect the new joint.

When Should I See A Doctor?

Pain is expected during the first few days and usually gets better after a few weeks. Ice and pain medications can help manage this. If you develop increasing calf and/or thigh pain and swelling, you should contact your doctor, as this could signal a blood clot. If you notice fluid, pus or bleeding at the incision, call your surgical team.

How Long Does A Knee Replacement Last?

Exercise is often hailed as a natural remedy for many chronic conditions—but for people living with migraine, it can be a double-edged sword. A recent survey published in the Journal of Headache and Pain found that 38% of participants reported physical activity as a trigger for migraine attacks. More than half of those said their symptoms began during exercise, while others noted that attacks started, on average, over two hours after the workout ended.

Migraine is a complex neurological disorder that affects approximately 4.9 million Australians. It is far more than just a bad headache. It is a condition that is indicated by moderate to severe headaches accompanied by symptoms like nausea, visual disturbances, and intense sensitivity to light and sound. Interestingly, while some people with migraine find exercise to be a trigger, others are encouraged to see it as part of their treatment plan. Studies suggest that regular aerobic exercise may help reduce the frequency of attacks, lessen their intensity, and improve overall quality of life.

Accredited exercise physiologist Cordes, who herself lives with chronic migraine, says she couldn’t tolerate even light exercise during the first year after her diagnosis. Speaking to ABC News, she said that it just felt like a bit of a nightmare. Today, she works with a large number of clients navigating the same challenges. Even if you feel like exercise is triggering your migraine attacks, it might not be the whole story. She explained that it could be that you’re working out in the heat, which can be a trigger, or perhaps you’re dehydrated or haven’t eaten enough, which causes blood sugar to drop. All of these factors can contribute.

For some, the impact of migraine has meant stepping away from once-beloved sports. There are many people who confirmed that severe headaches, which is a form of migraine, meant that they had to give up activities like swimming, netball, and basketball.

Personalised Plans Can Help

With so many variables at play, experts stress the importance of personalized treatment plans. For those with migraine, exercise should be approached carefully—starting slow, staying hydrated, avoiding extreme temperatures, and paying attention to the body's signals. What works for one person might not work for another, but with the right support and adjustments, many can find a way back to movement without fear of pain.