When ‘Just Stress’ Isn’t Enough: The Truth About Medical Misogyny
When I was having my hormone imbalance issues and being shoved from pillar to post from doctor to doctor, believe it or not, one phone call from my irate husband to my doctor’s surgery changed everything! I wouldn’t mind but I was a grown professional woman, managing multi-million pound transformation programmes but couldn’t get my doctor to take me seriously.
Have you ever felt like your health concerns weren’t taken seriously? Maybe you’ve been told, “It’s just stress” or “Everyone gets cramps—stop exaggerating.” Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. There’s a name for this frustrating phenomenon: medical misogyny.
A recent report by the Women and Equalities Committee has shed light on something many of us already knew in our bones (and our wombs): the healthcare system hasn’t been kind to women. From endless waits to dismissive doctors, women are enduring unnecessary suffering due to a system that simply isn’t designed with us in mind.
What’s Going On?
Let’s break it down. Conditions like endometriosis, heavy periods, and adenomyosis are not only common but life-altering. Yet, they’re often brushed aside as “normal” parts of being a woman. The reality? They’re anything but normal. Endometriosis, for instance, can be as painful as a heart attack (yes, really), and yet it takes an average of eight years to get a diagnosis. Eight years!
Why? Partly because of outdated attitudes. Medical misogyny—basically the idea that women’s pain and experiences are less important—has been quietly running the show for far too long. Combine that with a lack of research into women-specific health issues and the stigma surrounding “female problems,” and you’ve got a perfect storm of neglect.
Real Women, Real Stories
I used to bleed so heavily during my periods that my husband and I had to get up in the middle of the night to change the sheets. It got worse as I approached the menopause and I must have been the only woman on earth who could not wait to go through the menopause so that I would stop having periods. I was perpetually anaemic despite taking iron tablets by the boatload. Yet, I was languishing on a waiting list for months. I had to go private for my sanity.
It’s outrageous, isn’t it? I know mine was not an isolated incident—it was part of a bigger pattern that we need to call out.
Why Should We Care?
If you think this doesn’t affect you, think again. Medical misogyny doesn’t just show up in gynaecology. Women are less likely to be diagnosed correctly for heart attacks, more likely to have their symptoms dismissed as anxiety, and often excluded from clinical trials for new medications. It’s a systemic issue that touches every part of healthcare.
So, What Needs to Change?
Here’s the good news: things can change. The government has promised to “overhaul women’s healthcare,” and the Women and Equalities Committee is pushing for better training for GPs, more research funding, and faster access to specialists. It’s a start, but there’s a long road ahead.
What can we do in the meantime? Speak up! If you feel dismissed, demand a second opinion. Share your stories—there’s power in numbers. And if you can, support organisations advocating for women’s health. Change starts with awareness, and by raising our voices, we can push for the healthcare we deserve.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
This isn’t just a women’s issue; it’s a human rights issue. Our pain is real, our voices matter, and it’s time the medical world caught up. If this resonates with you—or if you’ve got your own story to share—I’d love to hear from you. Let’s make some noise and ensure women’s health finally gets the attention it deserves.
P.S If you are a working mother, struggling to be taken seriously in any area of your life, you don’t have to suffer alone. Reach out here for a chat.