Women with reproductive health conditions like endometriosis and adenomyosis are often told to “put up” with their pain, a situation described as a deep-rooted issue of “misogyny in medicine.” As millions of women continue to suffer in silence, many face a long, arduous journey to diagnosis and treatment, with some being dismissed by healthcare providers. Despite the prevalence of these conditions, women are often left to endure debilitating symptoms without the proper support or care.
The Struggles of Women Facing Gynaecological Health Issues
Gabriella Pearson, a 32-year-old woman awaiting surgery for a severe gynaecological condition, shared her painful experience with the BBC. Her periods began at age 10, and from the start, they were painful. Today, Gabriella is unable to work due to the severity of her condition and has been told she will never have children naturally.
Gabriella’s experience is unfortunately not unique. Many women with conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are told their pain is normal, that it’s something they should simply endure, or that it will improve with time. But this dismissal of women’s pain is part of a larger, systemic issue within the medical field that leaves women in agony and undiagnosed for years.
Misogyny in Medicine: A Systemic Issue
According to MPs on Westminster’s Women and Equalities Committee, medical professionals are often quick to dismiss women’s symptoms and concerns, leaving them undiagnosed or under-treated. Committee chairwoman Sarah Owen emphasized that “misogyny in medicine” leads to women being “fobbed off” when they seek help for reproductive health problems. She stressed that this would never happen to men and called for urgent action to address this issue.
Owen, who was diagnosed with adenomyosis herself, explained that women are often told to prove they are not “complaining unnecessarily” even when they are suffering intense pain. As she pointed out, women are incredibly pain-tolerant, as demonstrated by childbirth, yet they are still told that their symptoms are trivial or imaginary.
A Growing Crisis: Long Waiting Times and Medical Delays
The report from the Women and Equalities Committee highlighted the lack of awareness and understanding of women’s reproductive health conditions among primary care doctors. Due to this ignorance, women are often left waiting years for an accurate diagnosis. The committee found that gynaecological waiting lists have grown faster than any other medical specialty in recent years, and women have to wait for years before receiving life-changing treatments.
Many women, such as Claire, 40, who had to pay £10,000 for a hysterectomy to relieve her symptoms, have been forced to seek private treatment due to long NHS waiting times. Claire’s experience is not an isolated case, with many women sharing similar stories of pain and frustration as they navigate a healthcare system that fails to address their needs in a timely manner.
Women’s Health: A Call for Change
The report made a strong call for the NHS to implement an urgent training program to improve healthcare professionals’ understanding of women’s reproductive health. It also urged the government to prioritize investment in medical research, specialist training, and treatment options for gynaecological conditions.
With approximately one in three women living with heavy menstrual bleeding and one in 10 suffering from conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis, the report argues that the medical system must do better. Women should not have to endure years of pain or face the emotional and physical toll of conditions that are under-recognized and under-treated.
The Need for Mental Health Support
Along with calls for better physical healthcare, the report also advocates for mental health support for women diagnosed with reproductive health conditions. Women experiencing chronic pain or infertility often experience profound grief, anxiety, and depression. The committee recommended that women with suspected or diagnosed conditions should be offered access to mental health services tailored to their needs.
Conclusion: Time for Healthcare Reform
The government has acknowledged that the current state of women’s healthcare is “unacceptable” and pledged to overhaul the system. An additional £26bn is being invested in the NHS to improve patient care and reduce waiting times, with a focus on ensuring women’s health is prioritized.
As Sarah Owen said, women should not be expected to “just get on with it” when they are in pain. It’s time to end the systemic misogyny in medicine and ensure that women’s voices are heard, their pain is taken seriously, and their health needs are met with respect and urgency.
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