As women we are often not taken seriously with our symptoms, but lumped into the "psycho-somatic" or "hysterical" or "psychologically depressed" category when we present with symptoms that may stump doctors. How often have you got to the doctor with very real symptoms only to leave with an RX for depression meds, or advice to see a shrink, or some Maalox when you were having a heart attack? Do you know that the word "hysterical" has as it's root the latin word "hyster" which mean uterus!! So how many thousands of years have women been brushed off as crazy because they possess a uterus and not taken seriously for their health concerns! The following link is to a news report that shows how medical sexism is particularly prevalent when it comes to diagnosing and treating women's heart disease. I myself was given acid reflux medicine and sent home from the hospital when I was actually having a heart attack. It took another stronger attack later that same day for the hospital to take me seriously...but even then they didn't give me the tests I needed to properly diagnose me until two days later. Watch this clip and then post your own stories here to help others circumvent medical sexism and it's dangers. We must be our own strong advocates in doctors offices and ERs everywhere! http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news%2Fhealth%2Fyour_health&id=84 16664&mid=51 I am a writer, classically-trained chef, food blogger, food photographer and stylist and heart attach/SCAD survivor. Read more about me on my blog: http://food-fix.com Rachel Willen
This Group is Open to all EmpowHER.com members
Hi Everyone
Thank you to Kitchenista for starting such an important group on such a topic! It's not something we have talked much on in Groups at all!
I think sexism in health is certainly not as rampant as it used to be but is likely still there.
If anyone has a story to share or input, we'd love to hear from you!
~Susan
In spite of my negative life experiences with the opposite sex, I do (and have always) believe there are good men in this world.
I am a hopeful personal by nature who has had a few blows and hard knocks. But, I see how important it is personally to not allow myself to be embittered.
I do appreciate your perspective and I hope I didn't come across too harsh toward you.
Magnolia
April 21, 2012 - 10:57amThanks for that perspective. I don't "understand" in the sense of having been in your shoes. However, there are men who are feminists, just as there are women who minimize women's suffering. Your journey to where you are now will no doubt be an inspiration and guiding light to many women who have gone through, or are going through, struggles like yours.
April 18, 2012 - 8:42am
Dr. Heller,
I'm a bit taken aback. When I first read this thread, I didn't realize you were a man. I thought it was a female physician who wrote the post.
To be completely honest, as much as I want to believe that you really understand what women go through, I am a bit suspicious.
To give you a little context, with the exception of one relationship, I have been in one abusive relationship after another my entire life. My first marriage was a raging, physically and emotionally abusive alcoholic.
My second marriage has been 15 years of misogynistic, passive-aggressive abuse that has been completely emotional and manipulative.
I am now getting a divorce and standing up for myself. Claiming some power and walking away from the coward. My father was abusive to me. I've been sexually harassed on EVERY SINGLE JOB I've ever had where I wasn't working for myself. EVERY. SINGLE. JOB.
My track record with men has not been healthy. So, I bring ALL of that history and experience to the table. I would like very much to believe that you really "get it" and understand what women put up with, but I am having a hard time really accepting it.
I'm 55 years old.......that's a lot of years of dealing with unhealthy men.
Magnolia
April 17, 2012 - 4:32pm
Thanks Magnolia. It is amazing that 42 years after the genesis of modern feminism, this is still an issue. And, it is so revealing that (and I understand why!) you feel the need to defend yourself as not a "feminazi" in making a simple and true statement - women don't get treated the same as men.
Here's a blog post on this topic: http://j.mp/x5WXew
Dr. Daniel Heller
PMS Comfort
Thanks for your input Magnolia.
Please feel free to post link to any articles or blogs you've written!
Susan
March 31, 2012 - 10:10am
Great topic! Yes, I've experienced it, and I write about it regularly. The main reason I decided to pursue my graduate work in healthcare consumer advocacy is because of the treatment I received when I was in perimenopause, and the treatment so many of my readers receive as well.
We are so often patronized and treated as if we are mental cases, "unstable" and just a wee bit off-kilter. It makes me nuts!
I'm not much on being a feminist Nazi, but I REALLY get sick of being dismissed because of my internal plumbing. And yes, as Dr. Heller points out, healthcare providers are people with their biases too. We can't ever forget that.
Magnolia
March 21, 2012 - 6:19amHi Dr. Heller
Thanks for your input. I have not encountered medical sexism yet but I kind of make sure that it doesn't happen. I'm assertive and fairly knowledgeable but I don't try to compete with my doctors. They know more than me but I know my body better than anyone. I interact with them (male and female) very well and to be honest, I think doctors under 50 appreciate a fairly well-informed patient who ask questions whereas older doctors can be a bit put off by it and prefer to be told "yes Doctor, no Doctor." So I think patients have a responsibility to be informed and doctors have a responsibility not to fob people off as hypochondriacs or annoyances. Also, patients need to be pretty succinct and stay on topic because unfortunately, time is so valuable.
We need to bear in mind that we are only two generations from post-partum mothers being labelled as crazy or attention seeking when they actually were suffering from severe depression (that was such a disgrace and disservice to women) and "refrigerated mothers" being blamed for autistic children. We have a long way to go but we're come far, nonetheless.
Susan
March 11, 2012 - 4:57pmKitchenista and Susan, great topic. I think there is less sexism now than there used to be. However, for a woman sitting in her doctor's office experiencing sexism, in the form of being told that her symptoms are in her imagination, or not having tests ordered that might be ordered for a man (this still happens!), there is 100% sexism and gender bias, and it makes no difference if there is 20% less sexism in medicine than there used to be.
Given my focus on PMS and PMDD, I have to say that there is tremendous sexism remaining in medicine, because many doctors still mistakenly believe - despite volumes of scientific research to the contrary - that these conditions are in women's imaginations. Really! (Here is one small example of a woman who experienced this: http://www.pmscomfort.com/pms-stories/pms-irritability-bloating-headache... )
Doctors and health care practitioners are people, and have the same prejudices and preconceptions that all people have. In an ideal world, it might not be this way, but many women will have to assert themselves much more, and be much more of an advocate for their own cause, in order to get the same level of medical care.
Dr. Daniel Heller
PMS Comfort
Hi Magnolia (and Dr. Miller)
I also grew up seeing men being bullies and belittling women and girls - or acting under the assumption that they were not as intelligent or capable as men. The opinions of women were sometimes even laughed at - simply because they came from women.
Once I matured (late 20s, sadly!), I think I became extremely dismissive of these kinds of men and had no time for them at all. I suddenly found the "good guys" to be extremely attractive and realized that the "bad boys" were a dime a dozen. But good guys are everywhere too. I think once you find them, you realize that they're plentiful! As women, we also have to let it be known that we will not put up with rubbish behavior or any kind of abuse. We teach others how to treat us, as the saying goes. Abusive men are cowards and when they meet a woman who makes it clear she doesn't take any sh*t, they won't even try. I'm obviously not blaming women for any kind of abuse they (on the contrary!) but identifying an abuser and getting out fast, is key. Sometimes it takes time to learn.
Magnolia, I'm glad you are finding your way through life and haven't lost faith. I agree with you that sexual harassment is a chronic issue in the workplace but don't be afraid to stand your ground. Good luck with your new life and stay strong.
Susan.
April 28, 2012 - 2:06pmThis Comment