The impact of long Covid on women has been particularly significant, as evidenced by a growing body of research, but no one or organization understands how many women are suffering. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, November 2023, estimated that between 7.7 million to 23 million Americans were suffering from Long COVID. While the global estimates of people suffering from Long COVID can’t be measured.
It is clear that further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms behind these differences and to develop tailored treatments for female long Covid sufferers. Scientists are only beginning to unravel the complex web of gender-specific factors that influence how the virus presents itself and how it progresses in female patients. This includes investigating differences in immune responses, maternal-fetal interactions, levels of hormones such as estrogen, and environmental factors.
What Women Should Be Reviewing?
Politics
In the United States Congress is beginning to look at ways of providing relief for people who have been affected by long Covid, but progress is slow to develop. The situation in other countries is no more helpful to women.
“We don’t know enough about how things develop, and we need to be better at that”
~Public Health Minister Jakob Forssmed, Sweden, 2022.
Symptoms
Women with long covid often have difficulty finding the right type of care and support they need to manage their symptoms. Unfortunately, too many doctors are not well informed on long covid or are dismissive of its severity, leading to frustration and feelings of helplessness for women dealing with this condition. To help get past this obstacle, it is important to be armed with knowledge about long covid and to have a good support system. It can also help to be assertive and firm when talking to doctors or healthcare providers so that they take your condition seriously and provide appropriate treatment. Women should seek out knowledgeable and understanding medical professionals who are aware of the latest research on long covid, and willing to work with them to find the best possible treatment for their symptoms. Additionally, it is important to have a support system of family and friends who can provide emotional support during this difficult time.
With the right knowledge and resources, women can find ways to manage their long covid symptoms and get on track toward better health.
Research
Research to review if you think you’re suffering from Long COVID.
- American Disability Act (ADA), American women need to remember, Long COVID is now covered by and work with their doctors and employers for the best solutions of working with Long COVID.
- Women more likely to have long COVID, and different symptom profiles. CIDRAP News June 21, 2022.
- Women “Significantly” More Likely to Develop Long COVID, Review Finds. AJMC, Jun 22, 2022.
- 63% of Long COVID Patients Are Women. WebMD, Oct. 2023.
- Most Common Long COVID Physical Symptoms in Working Age Adults Who Experienced Mild COVID-19 Infection: A Scoping Review. Dec. 2022.
Resources
If you’re looking for support groups or to gain information from, try the following.
- Covid-19 Longhauler Advocacy Project.
- Pandemic Patients.
- Long-COVID Alliance.
- Pitra Moeis, Bandung, Indonesia, longcovidlife, TikTok.
Hi. As far as long covid, I think I may have it. I’ve had it twice and had no symptoms. The reason I knew I had covid was because my husband got sick with covid symptoms so I tested. Since my last bout, I have struggled with fatigue and lack of energy. My PCP ran all the appropriate blood tests and everything was normal. She metaphorically shrugged her shoulders and said that if I do have long covid, there’s nothing that can be done about it but wait it out. Fortunately, I don’t have a job and work from home as a freelance writer so it hasn’t significantly impacted my professional life. However, it has affected my passion for hiking and energy in general. Thank you for sharing these resources.