Ultrasound in Women's Health: Mechanisms, Applications, and Emerging Opportunities

Abstract

Women's health remains inadequately served due to the historical predominance of males as the biological reference in medical research, leading to persistent sex-based gaps in the understanding, diagnosis, and management of disease. As healthcare moves toward decentralization, e.g., through the collection of person-generated health data, point-of-care diagnostics, and wearable devices, there is a critical need for tools tailored to women's unique conditions and presentations. Ultrasound technologies, recognized for their versatility and safety, have evolved from imaging to multifunctional platforms, with growing roles in diagnosis and therapy. Diagnostic ultrasound non-invasively assesses anatomical features and functional information, and therapeutic ultrasound can perform targeted interventions, including neuromodulation, immunomodulation, thermal ablation, and drug delivery. By exploring the fundamental physical principles of ultrasound, including acoustic streaming, cavitation, and thermal interactions, and linking these mechanisms to cellular and tissue responses, this review highlights the capability of ultrasound to address female-specific health disparities, especially in conditions that are undertreated or differentially expressed in women. Advancements in ultrasound technologies could significantly enhance clinical outcomes and improve the quality of life for women affected by conditions currently underserved by traditional medical interventions.