Connecting women who are willing to openly talk about their symptoms can help you feel supported and validated while seeking care. (Image via Getty)
This article provides information but is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical professional before starting any physical activity or making changes to your diet, medication, or lifestyle.
Rachael, known as @rockymountainrahch on TikTok, shared a distressing encounter with an ear, nose, and throat specialist in a viral video. Despite waiting four months for a CT scan, the doctor dismissed her issue as a "hormone imbalance," ignoring the scan and misdiagnosing her birth defect.
This experience reflects a broader pattern of medical gaslighting faced by women, particularly women of color. Tennis star Serena Williams' postpartum mistreatment underscores this issue, as she had to advocate for herself to receive proper care.
Despite these challenges, women's health research receives minimal funding, with only 7% allocated in 2020 by the Canadian Institute of Health Research. Cally Wesson, CEO of BC Women’s Health Foundation, attributes this to societal biases ingrained in patriarchal systems.
To advocate for themselves, women should gather reliable information and question their doctors. Prioritizing concerns and seeking multiple opinions is crucial, given the strain on Canada's healthcare system. Establishing support networks can also help normalize health discussions and empower women.
Efforts like the Women's Health Collective Canada aim to address disparities by funding research and expanding women's health programs. BC Women's Hospital is developing a menopause-focused program to improve care and research in the field.
However, there is still progress to be made. Wesson emphasizes the need for women to prioritize their health and advocate for greater recognition of women's health research. Collaborative efforts are essential to ensure that women receive equitable and effective healthcare.
Rachael, a TikTok user known as @rockymountainrahch, shared her frustrating and misogynistic experience with an ear, nose, and throat specialist. In her viral video, she explained that after waiting four months for a CT scan review, the doctor dismissed her nose issue as "hormone issues" without even looking at the scans. Upon insisting that he review the CT scan, it was revealed that her issue was due to a birth defect.
"I felt dismissed because of my gender," Rachael said. "He just attributed my symptoms to a hormone imbalance without any tests or suggestions for managing it, and it turned out to be a birth defect."
Rachael's experience highlights a broader issue where women are often misdiagnosed or dismissed by healthcare professionals. Women, especially women of color, frequently face medical gaslighting and discrimination, leading to worse health outcomes. For instance, in 2022, tennis star Serena Williams recounted her own healthcare mistreatment after giving birth in 2017. Despite her history of blood clots and her requests for a heparin drip, medical staff ignored her, resulting in a life-threatening clot.
Despite these ongoing issues, only 7% of the Canadian Institute of Health Research funding in 2020 was dedicated to women's health research. Cally Wesson, CEO and President of BC Women’s Health Foundation, noted that women often feel overlooked by the healthcare system. She described a common experience where women are told to "go home, have a glass of wine" when their symptoms are real and deserve attention.
Wesson attributes this medical gaslighting to the broader influence of a patriarchal society that has historically favored men and affected various social systems, including healthcare.
