We’re going to delve deeper into the issues of medical gaslighting in women’s health, and the dismissal of menstrual health symptoms. Our aim is to raise awareness, empower you to advocate for yourself, and encourage a shift in societal attitudes toward women’s health. Here’s to breaking the cycle of gaslighting women and ensuring that every woman’s voice is heard and her concerns are taken seriously.
Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that can have far-reaching effects on a person’s well-being. It involves subtle or overt tactics aimed at making individuals doubt their own perceptions, memories, and reality.
While gaslighting can occur in various contexts, its impact on women’s health is particularly significant. Women often find themselves dismissed, invalidated, or even blamed for their health concerns, leading to a distressing cycle of self-doubt and frustration.
One pressing issue within women’s health is the dismissive attitudes and lack of validation surrounding menstrual health symptoms. Society has a tendency to trivialize women’s experiences, treating their pain and discomfort as less critical, important, and even non-existent.
This dismissal of menstrual health concerns perpetuates a culture of silence and perpetuates the stigma associated with periods. As a result, women often suffer in silence, enduring unnecessary pain and discomfort while their symptoms are minimized or dismissed outright.
Countless women have stories of visiting healthcare professionals only to be met with disbelief or condescension regarding their menstrual health symptoms. Pain that is debilitating or disruptive to daily life is often brushed off as “normal” or attributed to psychological factors or “hysteria”. The emotional toll of this dismissal can be profound, leaving women questioning their own bodies and feeling unheard in their pursuit of medical assistance.
The Impact of Gaslighting on Menstrual Health
Menstruation is a natural and essential part of a woman’s life, and the symptoms associated with it should not be ignored or downplayed. Although very common, moderate to severe PMS symptoms are not normal. Your symptoms, are your body’s way of telling you that something is off and needs to be addressed.
Severe menstrual cramps, known as dysmenorrhea, are frequently downplayed as normal discomfort, despite the fact that they can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life and be an indication of more serious concerns like endometriosis and adenomyosis — it takes on average 10 years to get an endometriosis diagnosis!
Heavy or irregular periods are often indicative of underlying conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or endometriosis, which are disregarded as inconsequential inconveniences, and often get prescribed the birth control pill — often making matters worse.
Symptoms like bloating, fatigue, mood swings, and headaches that occur in conjunction with the menstrual cycle are frequently dismissed as mere “hormonal fluctuations” or attributed to emotional instability.
Behind these dismissals lie countless personal stories of women who have been gaslit when seeking help for their menstrual health concerns or other health concerns.
Take Sarah, for example, who experienced excruciating pain during her periods and struggled to function normally, only to be told by multiple doctors that it was just a part of being a woman and that she should “suck it up.”
Then there’s Michelle, whose heavy bleeding and prolonged periods caused her to become anemic, yet she was repeatedly told by medical professionals that her bleeding was within the range of normal and no further investigation was necessary.
These stories and many more reveal the frustrating and disheartening experiences women face when seeking validation and support for their menstrual health.
Empowering women to trust their bodies and speak up for themselves is so important! Women should be encouraged to listen to their bodies, trust their instincts, and seek the care and support they need. By fostering self-advocacy and providing resources for education and empowerment, we can help women navigate the healthcare system with confidence, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns are taken seriously.
Psychological and Emotional Toll of Not Being Taken Seriously
The psychological and emotional toll of not being taken seriously in regard to menstrual health symptoms cannot be underestimated. Women who are repeatedly dismissed or gaslit may begin to question their own bodies, doubting the validity of their pain and suffering.
The frustration and helplessness of not receiving adequate care can lead to feelings of isolation and despair. Over time, the emotional burden can manifest as anxiety, depression, and diminished self-esteem. The cumulative impact of being invalidated can erode a woman’s confidence in herself and her ability to seek proper medical attention.
In some instances, healthcare providers may misinterpret other serious medical problems as solely being related to period issues. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as the assumption that any common symptoms experienced by women can be attributed to their menstrual cycle. As a result, underlying medical conditions or concerns may be overlooked or misdiagnosed.
For example, symptoms like excessive fatigue, mood swings, or abdominal pain could be mistakenly attributed solely to menstruation, when they may actually be indicators of conditions such as thyroid disorders, ulcers, adrenal fatigue, appendicitis, endometriosis, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
By acknowledging this we can grasp the urgency of addressing women’s care. It is crucial to provide women with the validation, support, and proper medical care they deserve.
Historical Context and Cultural Beliefs Surrounding Women’s Health
Let’s look at the roots, the historical context, and the cultural beliefs that have shaped our understanding of women’s bodies. Throughout history, women’s health concerns have often been disregarded or stigmatized.
Many cultural beliefs and taboos surrounding menstruation have perpetuated the notion that women’s bodies are inherently flawed, or unreliable. These deeply ingrained attitudes have created a fertile ground for gaslighting, as women’s experiences are easily dismissed as “just part of being a woman” or exaggerated.
Gender bias and stereotypes within healthcare settings also contribute to the gaslighting experienced by women. Traditional gender roles have often portrayed women as more emotional or irrational, which can lead healthcare providers to downplay or trivialize their symptoms.
Stereotypes about women being overly sensitive or exaggerating their pain further reinforce the dismissive attitudes towards menstrual health concerns — often referred to as being “hysterical”. As a result, women may face challenges in having their experiences and symptoms taken seriously, leading to delayed diagnoses and inadequate treatment.
Another significant factor is the lack of research and understanding of women’s unique health needs. Historically, medical research has focused predominantly on male bodies, and clinical trials have often excluded women. This gender bias has resulted in a limited understanding of women’s health conditions, including those related to menstrual health.
The lack of comprehensive research and knowledge gaps can lead to a lack of awareness and empathy among healthcare professionals when it comes to women’s specific health concerns, making it easier for gaslighting to occur.
It is crucial to challenge and reshape cultural beliefs, and taboos, address gender biases within healthcare, and advocate for more research and understanding of women’s unique health needs.
Promoting Open and Honest Conversations About Women’s Health
Open and honest conversations about women’s health are vital in breaking down the barriers that contribute to gaslighting. By promoting dialogue and destigmatizing conversations around menstrual health, we can create a supportive environment where women feel comfortable sharing their experiences and seeking guidance.
This includes educating everyone about menstrual health, fostering empathy, and challenging societal taboos and misconceptions.
Steps Towards Change and Advocacy
Tips for women to advocate for themselves in healthcare settings
- Educate yourself: Learn about menstrual health, body literacy, and symptoms to better understand your own body.
- Keep a record: Maintain a menstrual health journal to chart symptoms, duration, and severity to provide accurate information to healthcare providers. Apps like FEMM, Clue, Flo etc.
- Be assertive: Clearly communicate your concerns and symptoms during medical appointments, emphasizing the impact on your daily life and well-being.
- Seek a second opinion: If you feel dismissed or invalidated, don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion from another healthcare provider.
- Find support: Join online communities or support groups where you can share experiences and gain insights from others facing similar challenges — I will be creating a community on here soon! 🙂
Encouraging healthcare providers to listen and validate women’s concerns
- Practice active listening: Give women the time and space to express their concerns fully without interruption or dismissal.
- Take symptoms seriously: Acknowledge the impact of menstrual health symptoms on women’s daily lives and address them with empathy and care.
- Stay informed: Stay updated on the latest research and understanding of women’s health conditions and menstrual cycle to provide accurate information and support.
- Promote a safe environment: Foster an environment where women feel comfortable discussing their concerns openly, free from judgment or bias.
- Discuss alternative options along with hormonal birth control recommendations. Including working with functional health practitioners, holistic practitioners, women’s health educators, fertility awareness and natural family planning instructors.
Raising awareness and supporting organizations that promote menstrual health education and empowerment
- Share your story: Share your experiences in women’s health to raise awareness and validate the experiences of others.
- Educate others: Spread knowledge about menstrual health, common symptoms, and the impact of gaslighting to help dispel myths and misconceptions.
- Support organizations: Contribute to organizations and initiatives that prioritize menstrual health education, research, and advocacy.
- Use social media: Utilize social media platforms to share resources, stories, and information to reach a wider audience and initiate conversations.
By implementing these steps, we can create a cultural shift towards validating women’s experiences, empowering them to advocate for themselves, and promoting greater understanding and support for menstrual health.
Conclusion
I want you to feel empowered to trust your body and demand better care. You have the right to be heard, to have your concerns validated, and to receive appropriate care.
By advocating for ourselves, educating others, and challenging the status quo, we can initiate change and create a healthcare system that values and respects women’s health. A future where healthcare providers listen attentively, trust women’s self-reported experiences and work collaboratively towards effective treatment options. By raising awareness, supporting research, and promoting open conversations, we can contribute to this hopeful future.
Final Thoughts
I’ve heard countless stories on social media and from friends about their own dismissal stories — or how they only seem to be prescribed birth control for period issues. There are many great healthcare providers out there, who give women the time of day and look deeply into these issues and take them seriously. We are all doing our best. If you feel unsupported by your healthcare practitioner it may be best to find a new one, if you can, or seek alternative forms of care or a second opinion.
