Through my own health journey and the experiences of those close to me, I have noticed a severe lack of concern and attention for women in healthcare settings.
The term “Whiny Woman” has been coined to describe a woman who continuously seeks medical attention. Their labs and bloodwork might come back normal, but if they refute this, claiming they still do not feel like themselves or are still sick, they are called a Whiny Woman. This is often by male doctors, and it is done behind the patient’s back. However, even female doctors participate in this name-calling.
I could name countless doctor’s appointments where I felt as if I had to argue with my provider about the symptoms I was feeling. It is almost as if they have selective hearing and have predetermined my diagnosis. Over the last couple years, I have had my thyroid levels tested numerous times, just to find out they were completely normal. However, in my appointments, my doctor still suggests that my thyroid is the cause of my issues. If I bring up the lab work that he himself completed, he either calls for me to be retested, or links my symptoms to anxiety instead. It took me two full years to be considered for a heart echo, which my doctor looked at for five minutes before telling me it was “the stress of being a young woman” that was causing my debilitating symptoms. Each appointment, I pay a $200 minimum to hear the same answers about an issue that affects me every day.
Others close to me have also been considered Whiny Women in much more daunting circumstances. Someone in my family has been fighting healthcare workers for years to take her seriously. Her lab work showed some concerns, but doctors neglected this and blamed it on other factors, such as menopause and weight. However, as she fought to have more tests done, doctors found cysts inside her that were causing these issues.
Not only is viewing and referring to women in this way judgmental and rude, but it also leaves room for doctor neglect that could lead to serious health issues, as seen with the experience of my family member. Some practices even consider this name-calling “medical gaslighting”, where they convince the patient that nothing is wrong with them.
This stems from a deep-rooted system of sexism within society, and specifically within healthcare. We need to stop overlooking women in this setting and consider all that they could be going through to provide a holistic approach. If a lab comes back showing nothing wrong, it may be the wrong test. Doctors should be open minded and diligent in helping their patients, not eager to get them out the door. This sounds like a simple fix; however, the issue will never be solved if society does not begin to view women as equals and listen to their struggles.
News Editor
Kara Hopkins
