Have you been feeling ignored by your doctor? It’s not your imagination — women experience medical gaslighting at higher rates than men. Your very real symptoms and concerns might be dismissed as stress, menopause, or “just hormones.” Research has long shown that women often need to advocate for themselves in the healthcare system, which, sadly, doesn’t always put them first. Nearly 75% of females say they have felt medically gaslit by a healthcare provider and are twice as likely as men to feel only somewhat confident in their quality of care. So, what can you do? Experts say here are some surefire ways to advocate for yourself in healthcare settings:
- 1. Recognize that it’s not all in your head. Once inside a provider’s office, women report that their symptoms are dismissed, told they are normal, or are “part of aging.”
- 2. Create a respectful partnership. It helps to remember that doctors are people too. Start by being patient, respectful and clear, and expect the same. Set boundaries and expectations up front around how your doctor prefers that you reach out for questions and emergencies.
- 3. Do your own research. While you should definitely do your own research, when you bring it to a doctor’s appointment, frame it as curiosity rather than confrontation. No doctor wants to hear what Google thinks it knows that they don’t.
- 4. Prepare for appointments. Go with specific questions written out for your doctor, since it’s normal to freeze up or forget what you wanted to ask. Try to make your details as clear and accurate as possible. For example, rather than talking about stomach pain, if you could guide your doctor more specifically, say, to the left upper quadrant of your abdominal area, that might provide your doctor with more useful information.
- 5. Ask the right question of the right person. Your doctor may not know about scheduling or coverage. Keep your time with your doctor focused on symptoms, treatments, medications, side effects, devices and practical tips to lessen discomfort.
- 6. Speak up if you feel you’re being ignored. It’s important to get past what might be ingrained or unconscious biases that are blocking you from getting the care, treatment and attention you deserve.
