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This is a speculative editorial cover for Nature Outlook, based on the article “How pain is misunderstood and ignored in women.” It explores how sex hormones play a significant role in pain perception and modulation — but their effects are often overlooked in studies. In real life, this means women often don’t get enough help or information about the pain they’re experiencing.
I’ve also struggled with painful periods for many years. Luckily, I found some help outside the local medical system by learning about women’s physiology, sex hormones, and how to support them through diet and lifestyle. It’s not an easy journey. But I’ve experienced significant relief! 
Talking about the illustration process — I merged the woman into the background to reflect invisibility, and used red as a symbolic accent in the flowers. I didn’t want to depict pain in a scary or brutal way — instead, I looked for a way to connect it to growth and inner strength, as I’ve tried to do in my personal life.
I really hope that women won’t have to hunt for basic information about their own health — and that future scientific research will include us equally, especially when it comes to hormones.
This project was created working with an award winning illustrator and mentor Ollie Hirst through the 2025 mentorship scheme from The Association of Illustrators.