Ladies, haven't we all experienced that moment when, in the midst of a rational conversation, someone from the opposite sex suddenly says, "Are you menstruating?" Well, there are people who still think that menses make a woman moody or irritable due to hormonal changes. This outdated notion makes them believe that women are inherently more emotional or less logical during that time of the month.

Studies reveal that overall men lack the basic understanding of how periods work and their impact on women's bodies. Shockingly, many men can't even differentiate between common menstrual hygiene products like tampons, sanitary napkins or pads, and cups.

But it’s not just periods. Research consistently shows that men are more enthusiastic about having children than women. But for whatever reason, a few guys believe all females are supposed to be baby-lovers as it’s in their DNA. Come on fellas, we love babies, but we also strive for career success and a balanced life.

Also, it's unfair to solely blame them when it comes to infertility. Even though "male factor" infertility accounts for about half of all cases where couples have trouble conceiving, our reproductive healthcare system is designed to focus primarily on women’s bodies. This means that a lot of times women have to go through several diagnostic tests and treatments, while the significant role that a man’s health plays in the fertility process is overlooked.

Even today, many discussions around women's health don’t focus on what they actually want or need. For example, some states in the United States are considering laws that would classify abortion as murder, even in the case of sexual assault. According to some male politicians, a woman who receives an abortion should face criminal charges and get jail time.

As per a study by University of Chicago and University of California, researchers suggest women are excluded from clinical trials due to outdated beliefs like hormonal cycles mess test results. This exclusion in early research stages results in treatments based on male physiology causing instances of side effects for women.

“For much of the time it’s been practiced, biomedical science has been done by men, on men. It even starts in the petri dish: Most cell lines used in early tests are male, and then drugs are tested on male lab animals,” said Prof. Brian Prendergast, a Uchicago psychologist and co-author of the study.

Such measures not only raise concern about women's healthcare and rights, they also raise ethical questions. Just like the infamous pink tax, where women have to pay more for certain products because they're pink. For instance, common household items like shampoos and deodorants are cheaper for gents. Personal care items like razors are the most outrageously upcharged things for women. Imagine paying extra for shaving simply because you happen to have breasts.

A study by the US International Trade Commission revealed that women's clothing in the US is more expensive than guys' apparel. Female clothes face an average tariff of 15 percent and men's clothing is only 12 percent. This means that women's apparel tariff is an estimated $2.77 billion more compared to men's clothing. This unfair pricing adds mental health stress for women due to the already inflated prices.

Gender-specific costs create financial inequality that takes away women’s purchasing power. It’s no secret that many times females make less money than their male counterparts. In 86 nations, women encounter some sort of job restriction while a whopping 95 countries lack assurance of equal pay for equal work. In fact, some people still believe that women shouldn’t work and they don’t deserve to be given higher salaries.

On several occasions many actresses have come forward and spoken about the pay disparity in their industry. Jennifer Aniston, popular for her role in the hit TV show "Friends," revealed that she has had to advocate for fair compensation in her film projects. She said, 'We're very much a sexist society. Women are still not paid as much as men....I've been up against that in negotiations myself.'

To put it simply, when women enter a male dominated industry, they are frequently subjected to ridicule and mockery. Because apparently heavy lifting and crunching numbers are strictly for the guys. Just a reminder: lifting a box or using a calculator doesn't require a specific chromosome. As per The New York Times, the average wages in male-centric industries actually decrease over time when women are not paid their fair share.

Such ignorant and blatant comments about women emphasize the need for education, awareness, and advocacy for gender equality. They make way for harmful stereotypes and biases in various aspects of a woman's life, including their careers, health, and overall well-being. By calling out such people, we can only hope to break myths about a female’s body and mind. Have you ever faced such a situation? How did you deal with it? Let us know in the comments below. Share this article with friends and family to help them understand some basic women's issues.