I’m not making this up! A look at the treatment of women’s health

There are more women and girls in poverty around the world than men and boys.  That’s a fact.  A fact that leads to the inevitable outcome that women and girls are more likely to be denied adequate health care than men and boys.  You can see from this graph that these statistics aren’t limited developing countries either.  http://www.citylab.com/work/2012/11/poverty-gap-between-men-and-women-around-world/3840/ In the USA the gap is larger than the global average.  Why?  Women are more likely to be victims of violence than men, often forcing them to leave their homes, pets, possessions and life’s work behind.   55% of Australia's homeless women are homeless because of domestic violence. This makes women susceptible to further violence and financial difficulties, leaving them unable to afford adequate health care, especially in countries where basic health care isn’t free or accessible.  Maternity care, access to contraceptives and termination services are in limited supply, illegal or too expensive for many women around the globe.

But, there is one issue that affects women with health issues all over Australia and the world on a daily basis that is being ignored; it’s a problem I’ve had constantly over the last five years and it’s something we need to talk about.  It’s a common disease called ‘I’m not making this up’.  It flared for months before I was diagnosed with glandular fever and chronic B12 deficiency.  For years before I received a nervous system disorder diagnosis.  It occurs in hospital every time a doctor reads ‘fibromyalgia’ on a chart or when ‘depression’ or ‘anxiety’ are listed under known health problems.  It must come up in my blood tests every time a health professional asks if I’m seeing a psychologist instead of dealing with my physical health concerns.  It’s exhausting and it’s making the health of thousands of Australian women and girls worse.  Everytime I see a doctor I am torn between trying to appear tough and wanting them to understand the severity of my pain.  I shouldn’t have to worry about that, I should be entitled to feel and respond accordingly without needing to analyse how to best react in order to recieve adequate medical attention.  Many people and health professionals still function with the medieval assumption that some women are hypochondriacs, attention seekers or have low pain thresholds.  We need to work as a community to change the stigma which surrounds conditions and illnesses common to women.  We need to listen to women and stop making them feel guilty for admitting they’re in pain, sick or needing help.  We need to encourage each other to see medical professionals when something seems not quite right because this is the only way we can make sure we catch cancer and other illnesses in their earliest possible stages. As women and girls we need to do these things for ourselves, we need to allow ourselves to be looked after.  As men and boys we need to work on changing these stereotypes and helping the women around us feel comfortable.

I have spoken with so many women and girls who have been frustrated because their doctor carelessly misdiagnosed or dismissed their health concerns.  Although there are fair reasons for denying treatment or tests for a patient, that reason should never be because the patient is a women.  However subtle the discrimination is at times, it still exists and it needs to stop.  If you’re not happy with the way a health professional has treated you, tell them and if you’re still unhappy keep looking until you find someone who treats you and respects you.  In extreme cases, it is okay to report them without feeling like their actions reflect badly on you.  I wish I had.  There are wonderful health professionals out there who want to help.  So keep your eyes out for women who need practical support as well as emotional.  Together we can change the stigma which surrounds the treatment of women and make ‘I’m not making this up’ a disease of the past.

For those struggling with illness and feeling isolated, Facebook is full of support pages with other people going through what you are.  Having a mental or physical illness is never something to be ashamed about.  Lifeline https://www.lifeline.org.au/Get-Help and Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ are great websites to check out if you ever need help or want to participate in fundraising events.  Check out http://www.may28.org/ to learn more specifically about women’s reproductive health and rights as touched on in the opening paragraph.  If you’re struggling financially there medical services besides a basic GP visit that you can access with government support so speak to you GP about health care plans for mental and physical health.  It’s so important that you keep the chatting about these things.  Every conversation leads to awareness which leads to change.