Addressing Medical Misogyny in Women's Health: A Wake-Up Call for the NHS and Government

A new report from the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) has spotlighted a critical issue that continues to affect millions of women in the UK: medical misogyny. The report reveals that women with painful reproductive health conditions, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), often experience their symptoms being "normalised" or dismissed by healthcare professionals. This issue, along with significant delays in diagnosis and treatment, has caused unnecessary suffering for many women and girls.

What is Medical Misogyny?

Medical misogyny refers to the systemic dismissal and underestimation of women’s health concerns, particularly when it comes to reproductive health. The report highlights how many women endure excruciating symptoms of conditions like endometriosis—where the uterine lining grows outside the uterus—and adenomyosis, which causes the uterine lining to grow into the muscular wall of the uterus. Despite the prevalence of these conditions, it often takes years for women to receive a proper diagnosis, leaving them to "suck it up" and endure pain that disrupts their lives, relationships, and fertility.

The impact of medical misogyny is not only physical but mental. The lack of adequate care, awareness, and research into these conditions has led many women to seek expensive private healthcare, as the NHS system struggles to provide timely treatment options. In some cases, women are even misdiagnosed with other conditions, leading to frustration and prolonged suffering.

Personal Testimonies Highlight the Issue

Several high-profile women, including BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty and Geordie Shore alumna Vicky Pattison, have spoken out about their experiences with misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Munchetty, who suffered from adenomyosis for decades before receiving a diagnosis, shared how she was told her symptoms—severe, prolonged bleeding—were "normal" when she sought medical help as a teenager. Her condition went undiagnosed until she was 47, highlighting the severe delays that many women face in accessing appropriate care.

Pattison, who suffers from PMDD, expressed frustration at being offered antidepressants as the first line of treatment, despite her symptoms not aligning with depression. PMDD, which causes intense physical and mental health challenges in the lead-up to menstruation, is often misdiagnosed as other conditions like ADHD or depression, further compounding the issue.

Urgent Recommendations for Change

The report calls for immediate action to improve the experiences of women and girls seeking diagnosis and treatment for reproductive health conditions. Key recommendations include:

1. Improving Training for Healthcare Professionals: The NHS must ensure that medical professionals are regularly updated on the latest diagnostic and treatment options for reproductive health conditions. This includes making obstetrics and gynaecology a mandatory rotation in GP training to ensure better understanding and care for women’s health.

2. Increasing Research Funding: The government is urged to allocate more funding to research into the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of women’s reproductive health conditions. This investment is critical to reducing diagnostic delays and improving treatment outcomes.

3. Reducing Diagnosis Waiting Times: The report calls for a reduction in waiting times for conditions like endometriosis, aiming for diagnoses to be made within two years of initial consultation. Currently, the wait can stretch far longer, exacerbating symptoms and leading to unnecessary suffering.

4. Addressing Misinformation: The NHS website and app should be improved to become a trusted resource for women seeking information about reproductive health, helping to prevent misinformation that may mislead patients and delay proper care.

5. Supporting Mental Health Needs: The report recommends that women with reproductive health conditions be offered mental health support, given the emotional toll these conditions can take.

6. 
   

A Wake-Up Call

Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, Sarah Owen, emphasised that the report should serve as a "wake-up call" for the NHS and government. She stressed that, with conditions such as endometriosis affecting one in ten women, it is unacceptable that so many women continue to face delays and misdiagnoses. Addressing these issues will not only improve women’s health outcomes but also contribute to a more equitable healthcare system.

By implementing these recommendations, the government and NHS can begin to address the root causes of medical misogyny and ensure that women receive the timely, respectful care they deserve. It’s time to turn the tide on this deeply ingrained issue and make reproductive health a priority for all.