One in three women in the U.K. feel their migraine pain “is taken less seriously by others because of their gender.”
That’s according to a report from an IPSOS survey of 1,000 adults with migraine across the United Kingdom, which was commissioned by women’s health specialist Organon and also spanned Germany and France in separate results.
The survey data found one third (33%) of women in the U.K. felt their migraine symptoms were taken less seriously by others simply because they are women.
In the workplace, one in three employed women reported that their employer “only slightly understands,” or “does not understand their experience with migraine at all.”
At home, nearly half of women (49%) said caregiving responsibilities stopped them being able to manage their migraine.
The rub for Organon is that nearly two thirds of women (63%) among the U.K. respondents are not currently receiving treatment for their migraine, even when clinically diagnosed.
Organon helps sell and promote several migraine treatments, including through a deal with Eli Lilly to help distribute its drug Emgality, approved to prevent migraine headaches and treat episodic cluster headaches in adults.
“Migraine is one of the leading causes of disability among young women (15-49), yet it remains absent from many conversations about women’s health,” said Sofia Ferreira, Organon’s Country Lead for the U.K., Ireland, Portugal and the Nordics.
“Our findings reveal a clear opportunity to improve recognition, awareness and support for the millions of women affected," she said. "Women living with migraine deserve to feel heard, believed and empowered to seek support, while benefiting from greater understanding at home, in the workplace and across society.”