How Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) Are Affecting Women's Health, and What You Can Do About It

Did you know?

The top two leading causes of death in the U.S. are heart disease and cancer—no surprises there. But do you know the third?

Not infections. Not diabetes. Not even respiratory disease.

It’s medical error.

According to a 2016 Johns Hopkins study, iatrogenesis—harm caused by medical treatment—is responsible for more than 250,000 deaths per year in the U.S., making it the third leading cause of death. And within that? Adverse drug events—from overprescription to dangerous interactions—are a major culprit. (Source: Makary & Daniel, BMJ, 2016).

The Prescription Trap: When Help Hurts

For women navigating hormone imbalances, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic chaos, the standard playbook is often “Take this pill”—for sleep, for weight, for moods, for pain. But here’s the raw truth:

🔹 Many medications mask symptoms, not solve them.
🔹 Polypharmacy (multiple prescriptions) can lead to dangerous interactions.
🔹 Women are more likely to experience side effects than men, yet less likely to be believed when reporting them.

We go to doctors for relief, for answers. But how often do we leave with more questions, more prescriptions, and more side effects—all while still feeling like something’s off?

The Silent Struggle: Side Effects Nobody Warned You About

Adverse drug reactions aren’t always the dramatic kind you see on TV. Sometimes, they show up as:

🚩 Fatigue that no amount of sleep can fix.
🚩 Brain fog that steals your sharpness.
🚩 Weight gain despite doing everything right.
🚩 Mood swings that make you feel like a stranger in your own skin.

And the worst part? When you report these changes, the answer is often more medication—instead of looking at the root cause.

Reclaiming Your Health: Awareness = Power

This isn’t about fear-mongering—it’s about awareness. You deserve more than a prescription pad solution. You deserve:

✅ Informed choices—knowing risks before saying “yes” to a medication.
✅ A voice that’s heard—not dismissed or brushed aside.
✅ True health, not just symptom management—because feeling good shouldn’t be rare.

So today, on National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day, let this be a wake-up call: Your body. Your health. Your right to ask questions. Because a pill should never take away more than it gives.

🔥 Let’s talk: Have you ever experienced side effects or been dismissed when questioning a prescription? Drop your story below—because your experience matters.

Learn more about National ADE Awareness Day here:
National Adverse Drug Event Awareness Day – March 24, 2025