We often hear conversations about equality between men and women; splitting bills, house chores, childcare, and workloads. It sounds fair in theory, but here’s the truth: Men and women are not equal, nor are they the same. Biology isn’t 50/50 -women’s bodies endure a lifetime of changes, challenges, and burdens that men simply don’t experience. Let’s walk through it.
Puberty and Periods: A Monthly Battle That Lasts Decades.
For women, it all starts with puberty. Hormones flood the body, triggering mood swings, physical changes, and the start of menstruation. From that moment on, women face their periods every single month for decades. Periods aren’t just inconvenience, they can be painful, exhausting, and emotionally draining. Cramps, headaches, bloating, and mood swings are common. Some women also battle conditions like endometriosis or PCOS, which can make periods downright debilitating.
And it’s not just physical. Society often expects women to just “push through” their discomfort and carry on like nothing’s happening. That alone is a heavy burden.
Birth Control: Women ‘Take One for the Team!’
When it comes to avoiding pregnancy—a process that involves both men and women—it’s typically women who take the responsibility. Birth control pills are the go-to option, but they come with a long list of side effects: mood swings, weight gain, nausea and migraines, blood clots.
And the risks don’t stop there. Research shows that long-term use of hormonal birth control can increase the likelihood of certain cancers, including breast and cervical cancer. Yet, despite these risks, women are expected to shoulder the responsibility of preventing pregnancy.
Accidental Pregnancies and Abortions.
Even with birth control, accidents happen., and when they do, it’s the woman who faces the brunt of the consequences.
Abortion is not an easy choice. It’s physically painful, emotionally scarring, and often leaves women feeling guilt and shame. Society has stigmatized this process, ignoring the fact that many women are left with no other option.
Miscarriages: Trauma That’s Often Misunderstood.
Miscarriages are another silent battle many women face. What’s less commonly known is that miscarriages result from DNA fragmentation in sperm. But despite the biological cause, it’s the woman who bears the physical and emotional trauma. And many women go through not just one, but multiple miscarriages.
The grief and guilt can be overwhelming, leaving scars that last long after the physical pain subsides. And yet, society tends to downplay or misunderstand this devastating experience.
Infertility and IVF: A Grueling Journey.
When couples face infertility, the focus often shifts to the woman although infertility affects both men and women. Regardless, she’s the one who undergoes invasive treatments like IVF, even when the issue lies with the man. IVF is no walk in the park. Women endure daily hormone injections, endless doctor visits, and emotionally draining uncertainty. Most IVF attempts fail, leading many women to repeat the process multiple times.
The long-term risks are alarming too—IVF hormones are linked to an increased risk of cancers like ovarian cancer. Yet, women persevere through the, physical, and emotional toll to build a family.
Pregnancy: The Ultimate Sacrifice.
When a woman does get pregnant, the journey is anything but easy. Pregnancy is a complete takeover of her body, affecting every aspect of her life. There’s the morning sickness, fatigue, swollen feet, back pain. And let’s not forget complications like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and other life-threatening conditions.
Labor is another mountain to climb. Vaginal births are physically excruciating, while cesarean sections involve cutting through seven layers of tissue—a process that takes weeks or even months to recover from. And yet, the sacrifice doesn’t end there.
Postpartum: The Battle After the Battle.
After giving birth, women enter the postpartum phase—a whirlwind of hormonal changes and physical recovery. Many women face postpartum depression, leaving them feeling like failures as mothers, partners, and individuals.
Imagine feeling this way after doing the most incredible thing of bringing a new life into the world.
The Cycle Resumes.
As soon as a woman starts to recover, her period comes back. The potential for another pregnancy, miscarriage, or abortion re-enters the picture, and the cycle starts all over again.
Menopause: A Long Road of Challenges.
Just when a woman thinks she might catch a break, menopause arrives—a hormonal rollercoaster that can last 10 to 15 years.
Hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, bone loss, frozen shoulders, itchy ears, etc… make daily life incredibly challenging. For many women, the symptoms are so severe that even holding down a job becomes nearly impossible. The physical and emotional toll of menopause is often overlooked or misunderstood, but it’s a reality millions of women face.
Men’s Journey: Stability and Consistency.
Now, let’s take a look at men. Men don’t have to worry about:
• Monthly cycles
• Birth control side effects
• Pregnancy or childbirth
• Miscarriages or abortions
• IVF or invasive fertility treatments
• Postpartum recovery
• Menopause
• Cancer risk
Men’s hormones remain stable. Their bodies are consistent. Their lives are not interrupted by biological demands.
Why 50/50 Isn’t Fair.
Despite this, in some societies, women are expected also provide, split everything equally with men, work, bills, responsibilities. But how is that fair when biology itself puts women on a completely different playing field?
Nature’s Design: Complementary Roles.
Here’s the truth: nature designed men and women differently for a reason. Men are biologically wired to be stable and consistent, allowing them to go out, work hard, and provide. Women, on the other hand, are designed to handle the monumental challenges of reproduction, nurturing, and everything else nature throws at them.
This isn’t about assigning blame or saying one is better than the other. It’s about understanding that men and women were designed to complement each other, not compete.
Fairness isn’t about doing the exact same things. It’s about respecting and valuing what each of us brings to the table. Men were made to provide because women are already providing so much through their biology. It’s time we embrace this balance and stop pretending equality means sameness.