Have you ever told a doctor you felt unwell, only to be dismissed, later discovering you were right all along? This scenario, unfortunately, happens far too often to women, especially women of colour. When they report their symptoms, they’re usually met with a dismissive wave or a condescending nod. It is medical gaslighting, a profoundly misogynistic practice rooted in the equally misogynistic belief that women exaggerate their pain and suffering or are simply dramatic.
One classic example is the stereotype that men have heart attacks while women just have stress. The American drama series Grey’s Anatomy brilliantly depicts this bias. In the series, Dr. Miranda Bailey, the fictional chief of surgery, experiences a heart attack. At the hospital, the doctor in charge of her care dismisses further tests. The doctor puts down her symptoms to increased stress. Despite Bailey’s explanation that women and men have different heart attack symptoms, the doctors still refuse to believe her.
And as it turns out, she was indeed having a heart attack. Had it been a man with the same symptoms, there’s no doubt he would have been admitted for observation without a second thought.
Sure, medical gaslighting definitely doesn’t happen every time a woman needs care, but it does occur quite a few times. And (not) surprisingly enough, each instance of medical gaslighting seems to come from a male healthcare provider.
Longer waits and slower diagnosis.
A study in Academic Emergency Medicine finds that women with stomach pains wait 33% longer in the ER than men with the same symptoms. Another report from JAMA Surgery shows women wait 12 minutes longer, on average, for evaluation and treatment. And it’s not just about waiting times either. Gender disparities are also causing longer diagnostic delays for conditions like brain tumours, rare diseases, strokes, and cancers.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers found that women, particularly women of colour, who complain of chest pain wait about 11 minutes longer to see a doctor or nurse compared to men with similar symptoms. They’re also less likely to be admitted to the hospital, receive thorough evaluations, or undergo tests like an electrocardiogram (EKG) to detect heart issues.
It brings to mind when Grammy-nominated Singer Halsey candidly shared the ordeal of enduring eight years of medical gaslighting to obtain four diagnoses. Halsey took to Instagram to reveal the frustrations, stating, “I went to doctors for 8 years, trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I was called crazy, anxious, and lazy, among other things. I changed my entire lifestyle.“
It’s unbelievable that it took eight years for someone like Halsey to get the proper diagnosis, considering their wealth, fame, and privilege as a celebrity. Just think about how much harder it must be for an average woman.
Being weight shamed
Weight bias, whether conscious or unconscious, promotes gaslighting. Many health professionals automatically assume that overweight, obese, or slightly above BMI scale patients are lazy, lack self-control, and are therefore not worth the time for proper diagnosis. As a result, patients delay follow-up appointments or cancel appointments because they fear weight stigma.
Both men and women deal with weight discrimination, but women tend to face more of it. In the ’90s, studies found that because of weight stigma from healthcare providers, women skipped mammograms and Pap smears, missing out on early cancer detection. In 2018, a study discovered that women continue to avoid treatment due to their weight.
Dr. Scott Kahan, director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness in Washington, D.C., mentioned that when asked why they delay care, around 75% of women admit feeling embarrassed about their weight. About a third of them express not wanting to be lectured about it. Approximately 5% of women with average weight and around 35% of women with obesity delay seeking medical attention. It indicates that some women with obesity are not receiving the necessary care they require.
Medical gaslighting: Hormones are a convenient excuse
How frequently does a woman visit a doctor only to be told her illness is hormone-related? Unfortunately, this scenario occurs far too often, especially for women experiencing menopause. Whenever a woman voices her health issues, it is either blamed on her hormones or dismissed as mere imagination.
The October 2022 SHE Media Medical Gaslighting survey reveals that 72% of respondents experienced medical gaslighting. Signs include stereotyping, feeling misunderstood, being dismissed, and being blamed by doctors. Additionally, 71% of people surveyed heard from medical practitioners that they made up or imagined their symptoms.
Exclusively linking women’s healthcare issues to hormone fluctuations is not only misguided but also perpetuates outdated stereotypes. When all focus goes on hormones, other effective symptom management approaches are often neglected. It is particularly evident in cases like endometriosis, where doctors may dismiss severe period pain as normal. This dismissal contributes to the alarming statistic that women wait an average of 10 years to receive an endometriosis diagnosis because doctors fail to recognise the condition or provide appropriate treatment.
It’s like there are different rules for men and women when it comes to how we see hormone-related symptoms. When a man feels off, we think there might be something serious going on with his health. But when a woman shows similar symptoms, we tend to blame it on her hormones, like she’s just having a mood swing or is close to her periods or throwing a tantrum.
The closing thoughts on medical gaslighting
Medical gaslighting is like a never-ending game where women are constantly dismissed and delayed in getting the care they need. Also, because of weight bias, female patients fear being shamed instead of treated. These outdated stereotypes are causing actual harm and leading to missed diagnoses, especially for conditions like heart attack and endometriosis.
People go on and on about hormones and women. Sure, some women might experience hormonal imbalances leading to certain health issues or surprise weight gain. But let’s not blame every little ailment on hormones. It’s too easy to point fingers at hormones and call it a day. The healthcare system can do better than that.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content, which we define broadly to include media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and gender-queer individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
