eLife · 23 October 2026 · From issue 56
The new paradox of women’s health research
Strict hormone testing rules meant to help women's health research can block some studies instead.
Ursula Debarnot, Alexandre Fouré.
Rules meant to include more women in research can backfire. Some rules demand detailed hormone or reproductive testing in every study on women. This can make studies too hard or costly to run, even when that testing is not needed. The authors say testing should fit what a study needs to prove, not be a fixed rule for everyone.
The authors argue testing rules should match each study's actual goal, not a fixed checklist.
Opinion piece only, no new data or trial results.
Integrity screen: passed (3 checks) Checked 26 October 2026. Retraction record: none. DOI resolves at doi.org. Metadata record found (eLife). Read the source
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