Women spend more of their lives in poor health than men. Much of that gap opens in midlife, and the signs often start in the mid-30s.
A gap measured in years
The McKinsey Health Institute found that women spend about 25% more of their lives in poor health than men, about nine years on average. Its researchers estimate that closing the gap could add at least $1 trillion a year to the global economy by 2040.
The institute traces part of the gap to research: the U.S. National Institutes of Health spends about 11% of its budget on research specific to women's health. It traces another part to how clinics deliver care.
Midlife symptoms often go untreated
More than 450 million women worldwide have menopause or perimenopause symptoms, and about 80% of them say the symptoms interfere with their lives. Fatigue, poor sleep, brain fog, weight changes, and mood shifts are common.
More than 80% of women don't seek medical care for menopause symptoms, according to studies PwC cites in its 2026 menopause report.
It starts in the mid-30s
In 2026, Boston Consulting Group surveyed 10,608 people in 12 countries about longevity. Hormonal shifts and fertility challenges, which arrive around an average age of 36 to 38, raised women's interest in long-term health more than menopause itself did.
Women in perimenopause and menopause also spend more: a median $84 a month on longevity products and services, compared with $68 for other women and $73 for men. About half of them report satisfaction with what they buy.
What earlier care looks like
Earlier care starts with a full evaluation: labs and body composition set a baseline before symptoms build. A licensed clinician then treats what the results show and adjusts the plan as your body changes.
WellSpring follows that model. One coordinated plan covers hormones, weight, recovery, and skin, and one team tracks how they affect each other.
Sources
Information in this post is general and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own health.