How do periods factor into the “which gender has harder lives” debate

For a long time, I dismissed period pain as exaggerated.

Recently, though, I came across John Guillebaud, a professor of reproductive health at University College London, who noted that severe menstrual cramping can feel as painful as having a mild heart attack. Apparently, 20% of periods are on this level.

During perimenopause, these pains are said to become more intense and erratic for years on end.

I don't understand how symptoms as painful as mild heart attacks could be happening on a monthly basis to 20% of women but I've just never noticed.

How should I interpret this research? It could potentially change my mind on which gender has it harder (I've always believed it was men). Of course, I'm open to counterarguments.

Edit:

Certain policies, like DEI, disadvantage men with the assumption that women have it harder. I'm trying to better understand the potential merit behind such arguments.

I think it's more productive to focus on policy problems rather than having a debate on "who has it harder." It's just that the latter comes into play when evaluating policies that are very consequential to men, particularly those that seek to "create a level playing field."