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medical gaslighting takes toll on women: ‘we’re talking decades of neglect or undertreatment’

a new study chronicles the experience of women who felt rejected, dismissed and disenfranchised by the very system that is supposed to help them.

by dave yasvinski

dec 20 2022

3 minute read

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experiences of women disenfranchised by medical providers

previous studies have indicated women's pain is viewed with more skepticism than men's, while understanding of many illnesses is based primarily on men's experiences. getty

for many women with serious and chronic health conditions — such as depression, endometriosis and chronic pain — one of the most difficult parts of the process can be convincing others that their experiences are real.

a new study, published in the journal health communication , was published with an aim to amplify the voices of women who felt their medical issues were not taken seriously by doctors or other health-care providers, and share their experiences. although the study only involved 36 participants, researchers said their collective experiences — which include delays in receiving diagnosis, treatment and emotional support for a range of serious health issues — reflect a painful phenomenon that women have endured for centuries.

“most women we talked to had lived with their health issues and pain for years,” said charee thompson , first author of the study and a professor of communication at the university of illinois urbana-champaign. “ … most of them were in their 20s, 30s or older, and oftentimes their mental or reproductive health issues started when they were adolescents. we’re talking decades of neglect or undertreatment.

“one thing that was surprising and frankly heartbreaking was the personal rejection and sometimes the abuse that women experienced because of their health problems.”

research has been chronicling the barriers women face to getting care. previous studies have indicated women’s pain is viewed with more skepticism than men’s, while understanding of many illnesses is based primarily on men’s experiences — who may have different symptoms than women.

the 36 subjects in the university of illinois study, who ranged in age from 21 to 70, were mostly white; six were black and the remaining three were hispanic, filipina or middle eastern. eight said they were multiracial. when these women had their medical concerns dismissed by health care providers, the study found they attributed this rejection to their race and economic or insurance status.

those with mental or reproductive health issues dating back to childhood said they were prevented from getting the help they needed by a number of factors, including parental skepticism of their symptoms, their family’s conservative values or a lack of economic resources. many recalled being scolded by clinicians over their physical or mental issues or being subjected to remarks about their body or weight. their issues were often blamed on “poor self-management and a personal failure to be doctorable — to present problems in ways that are worthy of medical care and attention.”

instead of feeling better after a medical appointment, many participants reported that their well-being was negatively affected. every participant was forced to visit multiple doctors before finding one who was willing to work with them to find a solution.

after their health issues cost them valuable years — and, in some cases, a shot at motherhood or a rewarding career — many of these women have gone on to advocate for others who are facing the same roadblocks.

“i really admired these women for their strength and resilience,” thompson said. “the automatic response should be to believe women — before landing on a diagnosis or having confirmation bias, where you make a diagnosis and there’s nothing that moves you from it.

“to really listen to women means you do more listening than talking.”

dave yasvinski is a writer with  healthing.ca

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dave yasvinski

medical gaslighting takes toll on women: ‘we’re talking decades of neglect or undertreatment’

a new study chronicles the experience of women who felt rejected, dismissed and disenfranchised by the very system that is supposed to help them.

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medical gaslighting takes toll on women: ‘we’re talking decades of neglect or undertreatment’

a new study chronicles the experience of women who felt rejected, dismissed and disenfranchised by the very system that is supposed to help them.

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