Breaking the Cycle of Medical Gaslighting: Recognizing Women's Pain

This op-ed in Bloomberg by Bhuma Shrivastava highlights the persistent issue of medical gaslighting, where women's illnesses and symptoms are often dismissed as psychological rather than physical. This leads to their pain being normalized or ignored, with serious consequences.

Historically, the term "hysteria" derived from the Greek word for uterus, and this has influenced how women's health issues are perceived. Studies show that women experiencing chest pain wait longer than men for evaluation, and their heart attacks and strokes are frequently misdiagnosed. Middle-aged women with heart disease symptoms are often diagnosed with mental health conditions instead.

Dr. Stephanie McNally emphasizes the need for physicians to take women's complaints seriously and avoid attributing symptoms solely to hormonal changes. In developing countries, the situation is exacerbated by entrenched gender inequality, resulting in mistreatment and neglect in medical settings.

Anushay Hossain's experience of being ignored during labor pain inspired her book, "The Pain Gap," advocating for women to assert their needs in healthcare. The article calls for more research focused on women, noting that clinical trials often excluded women until the 1990s, and their unique physiological responses to drugs need further study.

The op-ed concludes by urging better education in medical schools to eliminate biases and promote empathy and understanding in treating women's health issues. Women need to advocate for themselves, and doctors must listen and investigate their symptoms thoroughly. Read more here.