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Other than reproductive and sexual treatments, women's unique medical needs are often ignored by health care providers, a groundbreaking study from York University indicates.

"The key point is all health services have to be thought of as women's services," said the study's lead author Tamara Daly, an assistant professor in the university's school of Health Policy and Management.

"Women's health shouldn't be equated with (only) reproduction and sexual health."

Women do not access health care services the same way men do. Women often experience different symptoms and require different treatments than men and lack supports to care for them when they are sick at home, the study said.

Health care providers overlook the needs of women when they are being treated for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, intensive care services and emergency care, Daly said.

"Quite frankly, I don't think hospitals even think on those terms. That's why we say there has to be a cultural shift," she said.

"I think they assume if they are serving whoever comes through the door, they are doing their job but it has to go beyond that."

Gerard Power, spokesperson for Humber River Regional Hospital, said treatment provided for any patient is given based on that individual's needs.

But Humber River has several programs geared towards women, including breast cancer screening and bone density screening, he said.

Meanwhile, the hospital hosts an annual one-day symposium focused on women's health issues such as pelvic pain and sleep disorders. The guest speaker at this year's event will be TV and radio personality Dini Petty.

The university report, called Contradictions: Health Equity and Women's Health Services in Toronto, investigates systemic barriers women face accessing health care.

"It is one of the few studies that tries to focus at the system level. It is a very important way of looking at the issue. How do we fund things and how do we measure (the success of the programs and treatment being delivered)?" Daly said.

"It is asking (providers and politicians) to step back and take a better look. If we don't make hospitals consider all health services as women's services, we have a problem because women can't access the services we need."

The study, which Carleton University in Ottawa also participated in, documents women's health services in Toronto from 1990 to 2007.

The study found almost all services are provided without women's requirements in mind.

"The result (for women patients)? Most of that is left for us to guess at," Daly said.

According to the study, even when there are attempts made to address women's medical needs, they fall short.

Preventive medical services that are geared specifically for women, such as a cardiac program the researchers looked at, often target wealthier women who can afford to pay a premium.

Or women's programs are often cancelled due to lack of funding," Daly said.

"Even when organizations have taken the initiative to develop women's heath programs and a better vision for the future of women's health, our research shows that there may be problems with program implementation," she said.