Report highlights ‘medical misogyny’ causing women to endure pain

A 32-year-old woman awaiting surgery for a “horrific” gynaecological condition has stated that women facing painful health problems are instructed to “put up and shut up.” Gabriella Pearson, whose periods began at age 10 and were “painful from the start,” is now unable to work and cannot conceive children naturally. She explained that she had learned to “just get on with it because that’s what you’re told your whole life – especially as a woman.” Her comments to the BBC coincided with warnings from Members of Parliament that “misogyny in medicine” is “leaving women in pain and their conditions undiagnosed.” The Women and Equalities Committee in Westminster concluded that women suffering from conditions such as heavy periods, endometriosis, and adenomyosis are being dismissed when they seek medical assistance. Committee Chairwoman Sarah Owen asserted that women are being “fobbed off” and that “it would not happen if it was a man.” She advocated for increased investment and support for women’s reproductive health conditions. The government acknowledged the situation as “unacceptable” and committed to an “overhaul women’s healthcare.” The committee’s report indicated that diagnosing and treating these common issues can span years, causing women and girls such severe pain that it disrupts all facets of their daily existence. The report stems from an inquiry during which committee members interviewed women about their experiences, including BBC presenter Naga Munchetty and TV personality Vicky Pattison. Misogyny is defined as feelings of hatred towards women, or the belief that men are much better than women. Owen, a Labour MP, conveyed to Naga Munchetty on BBC 5 Live that it was “hard to describe” the situation as “anything else.” She elaborated that women are “told it’s normal, it’s just pain, let’s wait another few months of your cycle to see if it gets any better.” She clarified that this was not a critique of male doctors, but rather a “systemic misogyny that we need to address.” Owen disclosed her own diagnosis of adenomyosis in the summer, noting that “it feels like you have to prove you’re not being a wimp.” She emphasized, “Actually, women are incredibly pain tolerant. One of the most painful things you can do is give birth. And yet we are being told we are complaining unnecessarily.” The committee’s report identified a “clear lack of awareness and understanding of women’s reproductive health conditions among primary healthcare practitioners.” It pointed to a prevailing stigma and insufficient education surrounding these conditions, compounded by a deficit in medical research, specialists, and available treatments. Consequently, gynaecological waiting lists have expanded more rapidly than those of any other medical specialty in recent years. The report urges the NHS to “urgently implement a training programme” to enhance the experience of women and girls seeking diagnosis and treatment for gynaecological conditions. BBC News recently reported that waiting lists for gynaecology appointments across the UK have more than doubled since 2020, with approximately 755,000 women’s health appointments currently pending. Numerous women recounted their experiences of enduring severe pain while awaiting crucial treatment, often resorting to private care. Claire, 40, paid £10,000 for a hysterectomy 12 weeks ago to alleviate her debilitating symptoms of endometriosis and adenomyosis; she would have faced a three-year wait for the same procedure on the NHS. Bethany, 27, diagnosed with endometriosis seven years ago, was informed she had to choose between having children or undergoing a womb removal. She sought a second opinion from the NHS, but by the time she received an initial procedure, she was unable to move her legs without pain. She is now pursuing treatment for ongoing issues through private health insurance. Bethany expressed, “I can’t put into words how profound the grief is for the life that I could’ve and should’ve had.” Meanwhile, Gabriella is scheduled for a hysterectomy next year due to her adenomyosis, a condition she characterizes as “horrific.” She added, “We normalise high amounts of pain, heavy menstrual bleeding and all the bowel symptoms that you get with conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – and it’s just really sad.” Sarah Owen stated that women are “waiting years for life-changing treatment and in too many cases are being put through trauma-inducing procedures.” She warned, “All the while, their conditions worsen and become more complicated to treat.” She noted that up to one in three women experience heavy menstrual bleeding, while one in 10 suffer from conditions such as endometriosis or adenomyosis. An analysis by the Office for National Statistics estimates that 2% of women aged 15-49 have an endometriosis diagnosis, though it indicated that many more are affected but remain undiagnosed. Owen remarked, “It cannot be right that despite the prevalence of these conditions, that such a lack of understanding and awareness persists.” She also advocated for women with suspected or diagnosed reproductive health conditions to be offered specialized mental health support. Dr. Henrietta Hughes, England’s patient safety commissioner, welcomed the report, suggesting the NHS needed to take “a long hard look” at how patients are involved in their care. Dr. Hughes affirmed, “We need to treat patients as partners, make sure that they are well-informed, listened to and that they have a good experience of care.” A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care in England declared it “totally unacceptable that women with reproductive conditions are not getting the care they need and that their voices are not being heard.” They reiterated, “That is why we will overhaul women’s healthcare, placing women’s equality at the heart of our agenda, and ensure women’s health is never again neglected.” They further mentioned an additional £26bn investment into the NHS, with which the government aims to get the service “back on its feet so it delivers for all patients.” Health ministers in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have indicated that strategies are in place to address extended waiting times for treatment. A spokesperson for the Welsh government confirmed that women’s health has been designated “a key priority.”