Women are enduring painful gynecological conditions due to “medical misogyny” in the NHS, according to a damning report.
Doctors often have poor knowledge of women’s health, meaning they don’t recognize symptoms and are dismissive of patients’ pain, she says.
This is fueled by a “pervasive stigma” around reproductive health issues and a lack of education about common conditions such as endometriosis, heavy periods and adenomyosis.
As a result, victims suffer agonizing discomfort that “interferes with all aspects of their daily lives”, including their education, careers, relationships and fertility, said MPs from the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, which published the report today. .
Many are forced to “tough it out” or find money for expensive private care, he adds.
The report shows that a lack of research, treatments and specialists, along with the “deprioritization” of gynecological services, has caused these waiting lists to grow faster than any other specialty.
Meanwhile, women’s symptoms are often “normalized,” meaning it can take years to get a diagnosis and care.
Women are enduring painful gynecological conditions due to “medical misogyny” in the NHS, according to damning report (file image)
Pictured is Zainab Kaleemulla, who waited “over a decade” to be diagnosed with endometriosis after her symptoms were dismissed dozens of times by GPs.
Neglecting women’s health in the workplace is estimated to cost the UK economy £20 billion a year, with some forced to quit their jobs.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says Britain is in the midst of a “gynecological care crisis”, with more than 750,000 women on the waiting list.
MPs highlighted how women go through “heartbreaking experiences” with procedures such as the insertion of a contraceptive device or a hysteroscopy, a test to look inside a woman’s uterus.
Presenter Naga Munchetty, who previously shared her traumatic experience of having a coil fitted and spoke about the poor care she received for adenomyosis (when the lining of the uterus grows into the uterine muscular wall), gave evidence to the committee alongside the star of reality shows Vicky. Pattison, who suffers from premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which causes severe mood swings.
GP surgeries were highlighted in the report, which highlighted a “clear lack of awareness and understanding of women’s reproductive health conditions among primary health care professionals”.
MPs made recommendations to improve care, including ensuring doctors are aware of the latest diagnostic tests and treatments.
Committee chair Sarah Owen said: “Our research has shown that misogyny in medicine is leaving women in pain and their illnesses undiagnosed.” Women find their symptoms dismissed and wait years for life-changing treatment…
“Meanwhile, their conditions worsen and become more complicated to treat.”
Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, said: “It takes almost nine years on average to get a diagnosis of endometriosis in the UK – it shouldn’t be that way.” Without diagnosis there is no access to management and treatment.’
NHS England said: ‘Too often in the NHS we hear of women whose health problems have been ignored, which is why we are taking steps to improve services for women, including the implementation of women’s health centres.
“The centers are giving thousands of women more access to specialist support in the community, which not only improves women’s access and experiences of care, but also helps improve the skills of health professionals.”
A Department of Health spokesperson said: ‘It is totally unacceptable that women with reproductive conditions do not receive the care they need.
“That’s why we will reform women’s healthcare, putting women’s equality at the center of our agenda.”