Women and Parkinson’s Disease
The experience of having Parkinson's disease (PD) as a woman is different than that of a man, perhaps due to biology, healthcare access, and differences in treatment based on gender. Women tend to be diagnosed younger so may be of childbearing age with PD, and experience menopause complicating diagnosis and treatment.
These resources share the current theories about differences between men and women with PD, stories of women with PD, and how to get the care you need.
Overviews
Differences of Parkinson’s Disease in Women
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, May 7, 2024
This blog post addresses gender differences in the risk of developing PD. For example, while caffeine consumption appears to decrease the risk of PD for men, in postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy, it seems to increase risk. And differences is motor and non-motor symptoms are explored. For instances, women may have more pronounced tremor, facial masking, and restless leg syndrome but slower disease progression.
Parkinson's Disease in Women
By Jill Seladi-Shulman, PhD. Published by Healthline, August 30, 2021
This article addresses differences between men and women diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, including age of onset, how symptoms present, differences in motor symptoms, treatment challenges in women, the effect of estrogen, cognition, expressing and intrepreting emotion, sleep differences, and coping with PD. Twenty five sources used in writing the article are listed.
Women & Parkinson's
Published by Parkinson's Foundation
This resource page from the Parkinson’s Foundation offers a collection of articles and tools focused on how Parkinson’s disease affects women. It includes a two-page PDF, Women and Parkinson’s Disease, that reports on studies showing women diagnosed with PD often report different symptoms, experience more side effects and fluctuations throughout the day, and receive lower quality healthcare than men. Some differences may be biological, such as how women’s bodies respond to Parkinson’s or its treatments, while others may relate to disparities in care or access.
Women and Parkinson's
Published by Davis Phinney Foundation
The Davis Phinney Foundation gathered all their resources about women and PD on a single page, including a webinar on the topic, an article about the benefit of women's PD support groups, a story about pregnancy and PD, and young-onset PD women's council on relationships and intimacy with PD, with links to more videos, blog posts, and workshops.
Women and Parkinson's Disease
By Parkinson's Foundation, January 22, 2021
In this 80-minute webinar, movement disorders specialist Jennifer Durphy, MD, provides a brief history of the involvement of women in clinical trials, and how recently it was recognized that treatment of men and women should be different. Then, getting into the similarities and differences between men and women with Parkinson's disease.
YOPD Women Webinar Series
By Davis Phinney Foundation
This series of talks with doctors, specialists, and YOPD Women Council leaders focuses on the different challenges YOPD women face related to contraception, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, hormones, body image, aging, and more.
Sexuality
Sex and the PD Woman
By Sharon Krischer. Published by Twitchy Woman, March 15, 2017
In February 2017, psychologist and certified sex therapist Beth Leedham, PhD, spoke to Sharon's women’s support group about sex. A women-only environment allowed for an honest discussion about issues relating to Parkinson’s and our sexual behavior. Sharon shared highlights of Dr. Leedham's talk in this posting of the Twitchy Woman blog.
Short Personal Stories
Stories in Parkinson's Life
Published by Parkinson's Life (now Parkinson's Europe)
This online magazine regularly features stories of women with PD. Some recent examples include the January 2020 story by Mannon Day, "Incompetence, Racism and Prejudice Delayed My Diagnosis." And the November 2019 story by advocate Heather Kennedy, "We Need to be Having More Conversations About Menopause." Also in November 2019, Ellie Finch Hulme, who blogs in the UK as PD Mama, wrote about "Being Pregnant was Scary" due to the lack of information and support.
Women and Parkinson's
Published by Parkinson's Life (now Parkinson's Europe), November 21, 2019
The Parkinson’s Life podcast brings together three Parkinson’s campaigners to discuss the different challenges facing women with the condition. From waiting for years to be diagnosed to the prevailing image of people with Parkinson’s as “old, grey, dusty men”, their heartfelt conversation sheds light on how a gender gap in knowledge and research affects women’s everyday lives.
Books
Parkinson's Diva: A Woman's Guide to Parkinson's Disease
By Maria DeLeon, MD. Published by The Word Verve Inc., June 29, 2015
A personal and professional accounting of a young Parkinson’s doctor’s experience with the disease in all realms of her life . . . from doctor, caregiver, and ultimately as a young Parkinson’s patient herself. Dr. De León covers important basics of PD and research-based data and shares the personal concerns and gender-specific battles that young women who live with the disease must face. She encourages readers to be empowered through education, self-awareness, and faith.
Parkinson’s? You’re kidding me, right?: One woman’s unshakeable belief in overcoming a shaky diagnosis!
By Sheryl Jedlinski. Published by Konoso LLC, January 4, 2018
Journalist Sheryl Jedlinski tells the story of her 20-year journey with Parkinson’s disease. She shares knowledge, coping strategies, and experiences to address adjustments that must be made to enjoy a full, productive life with PD. Told through entertaining stories, this clever, creative read teaches the practical aspects of living with Parkinson’s or a life changing event of any kind.
The Ribbon of Road Ahead: One Woman's Remarkable Journey with Parkinson's Disease
By Carol Clupny. Published by Ultreia Books, March 15, 2019
Carol Clupny's personal narrative of her travels since being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease is both entertaining and enlightening. Part travel journal, part education, the two elements combine for a wonderful message to us all to keep seeking new horizons and redefined adventures.
Expert-Level Resources
Management of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders in women of childbearing age: Part 1 and Management of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders in women of childbearing age: Part 2
By R. García-Ramos, et.al, Neurología (English Edition), Volume 36, Issue 2, March 2021, Pages 149-157 and Pages 159-167
These articles review the challenges of managing Parkinson’s in women of childbearing age, particularly during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The first part outlines clinical characteristics, reproductive health risks, and guidelines for minimizing fetal exposure, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary care plan. The second part provides pregnancy management guidance, encourages cautious use of medication, and highlights the need for genetic counseling and awareness of pregnancy-triggered movement disorders. These two articles are available in Spanish.
Parkinson's Disease in Women and Men: What's the Difference?
By Silvia Cerri, Liudmila Mus, and Fabio Blandini. Journal of Parkinson's Disease, 2019; 9(3): 501–515.
This review summarizes research on sex-based differences in Parkinson’s disease, including risk, symptom patterns, treatment response, and disease progression. It highlights the need for tailored interventions to address the distinct needs of men and women.
Last updated July 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.