Gender inequality is something that affects many areas of life. But what about gaining access to the right medical treatment? Do women have it harder than men?
A number of surveys and studies would suggest so. Some critics have referred to this as ‘medical misogyny’. But just what are some examples? And what can be done to combat this? This post takes a deeper look.
What is medical misogyny?
Medical misogyny is a term used to refer to the gender bias in healthcare. Plenty of research has found that women find it more difficult to access the right healthcare they need than men. This is due to the industry being traditionally molded around the needs of men.
What are some examples? Firstly, when it comes to medical research, the majority of participants are men. This leads to medical findings being based on trials on men, rather than men and women. There are fundamental differences between the biology of a man and the biology of a woman, and a lot of medicines and procedures that were originally tested solely on men may not be taking this into account. This is possibly why women are 50 to 75% more likely than men to experience side effects from medication.
Men may also receive quicker or more thorough care when it comes to diagnosing and treating certain medical conditions. A study at University College London found that women with dementia generally received worse treatment than men. This Netherland Heart Journal research meanwhile discusses the failure to diagnose women for heart disease because of the false belief that they are ‘protected’ against it (when in reality 35% women die as a result of heart disease). Women also tend to be diagnosed later and less frequently for developmental disabilities like AD/HD and autism, which may be due to lack of understanding of differing symptoms.
It is also worth noting that male doctors continue to outnumber female doctors in many fields. The field with the greatest discrepancy is cardiology, in which 82% of doctors are men. Many women have reported bad experiences with male doctors, and nearly half of women said they would prefer to talk to a female doctor. While the majority of women are still likely to receive great treatment from a male doctor, there is clearly still a problem of mistrust which could be reduced if more women had access to a female doctor. This is particularly important when it comes to treating health problems that are specific to women.
What can be done to stop medical misogyny?
For gender equality to be achieved in healthcare, the system needs to start catering to the unique needs of women more. This begins by making medical research fairer – instead of just testing drugs on men or on a focus group that is predominantly male, there needs to be a test group that is equally male and female. A lot of modern medical research is done this way. However, it may be necessary to start retesting medication and procedures based on past studies that would have been more male-focused.
Governments around the world have started to put increased funding into women’s healthcare services. This could open up new jobs in women’s healthcare that will need to be filled. Areas of women’s health that are being expanded include reproductive health, aging, prevention and chronic conditions, mental wellbeing and impacts of violence against women.
It is important that more women doctors are being employed – especially in certain areas of healthcare catered to women and areas where male doctors still greatly outnumber female doctors. More women are getting into medicine, but it is important that they are being encouraged to take up the positions where they are needed.
What can you do to protect your health?
Have you experienced medical misogyny? And if so what can you do in the future to ensure that this doesn’t affect your quality of treatment?
The first important thing to do is to not put off getting treatment because of bad experiences or feelings of inequality. It is important that you still visit a doctor when you have health concerns. It is okay to request to see a female doctor if you would prefer. And don’t be afraid to try different doctors and clinics if you feel you need a second opinion.
Because women are more likely to experience side effects from medication, it is also important to look into side effects when taking new medication and to listen to your body. Make sure to see a doctor if you are noticing odd symptoms that seem to have developed since taking new medication. There may be alternative drugs that you can be prescribed that don’t display the same side effects.
Be vigilant when it comes to chasing up health concerns, and don’t be afraid to take family members with you for support if you don’t feel you are being listened to. Sometimes it’s necessary to chase up doctors to fast-track certain tests and treatments – especially if a health problem is getting worse and therefore more urgent.
Finally, consider how you may be able to play a bigger part. Could you be a participant in a medical trial? Many trials need more women participants and in some cases you can get paid generously for taking part. Of course, it is important to weigh up the risks before participating in any type of research.
Conclusion
There is evidence to suggest that there is a gender bias within healthcare. However, steps are being taken by the healthcare industry to fix this. It is important to understand the implications of medical misogyny and spot the signs that you could be a victim. If you have had a bad experience with a male doctor, don’t let this put you off getting the treatment you deserve. Similarly, look out for side effects when being prescribed medication and don’t be afraid to get second opinions on diagnoses. This can prevent you from being let down by the healthcare industry