Ignored Health Symptoms Women Should Not Overlook
For many years, women have often been overlooked or advised to “breathe through it” when facing significant health issues.
Research indicates that 56% of women feel their pain has been dismissed by medical professionals. From hurried doctor visits to workplace attitudes, the phrase “It’s just stress” has become a common explanation, leaving women to endure untreated pain and question the reality of their symptoms.
Dr. Sunny Nayee from Medicann highlights that this trend of medical gaslighting is not only emotionally harmful but also delays crucial diagnoses.
He identifies seven frequently dismissed symptoms and explains why they are more than just stress-related.
Persistent Fatigue
While many attribute exhaustion to stress or burnout, ongoing fatigue may indicate underlying conditions such as thyroid issues, hormonal imbalances, low vitamin D, or chronic pain affecting sleep. Women often manage sleep-related pain with caffeine instead of seeking medical advice.
Severe Menstrual Pain
Although painful periods are often normalized, symptoms like fainting, severe cramps, vomiting, or leg pain may signal conditions such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and adenomyosis. Such pain should be investigated medically rather than being dismissed as stress-related.
Sudden Migraines
Women experience migraines three times more frequently than men, yet they are often mistaken for stress headaches. Migraine triggers include:
- Perimenopause
- Sleep disruption
- Hormonal changes
- Inflammation
- Sensory sensitivity
Many women report improved migraine management through better sleep and reduced inflammation with medical cannabis treatment plans.
Unexplained Anxiety or Panic Symptoms
Women are often told they’re “just overwhelmed” when experiencing:
- Pain surges
- Racing heart
- Hot flushes
- Irritability or restlessness
These symptoms can indicate:
- Chronic pain affecting the nervous system
- Inflammation disrupting neurotransmitters
- Perimenopause
- Hormonal changes
Pain During Intercourse (Dyspareunia)
Pain during sex is often attributed to anxiety or stress but can indicate conditions like endometriosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, postpartum trauma, or hormonal vaginal dryness. It should be recognized as a legitimate medical issue.
Chronic Bloating
While stress can cause bloating, persistent abdominal swelling, especially after meals, may suggest gut inflammation, food intolerance, PCOS, or IBS due to hormonal factors. Women are often advised to reduce stress, but ongoing bloating requires medical evaluation.
Ongoing Pelvic or Lower Back Pain
Pelvic pain is often linked to stress, but it can signal:
- Nerve irritation
- Muscle dysfunction
- Endometriosis or adenomyosis
- Chronic pelvic inflammatory conditions
- Post-surgical or postpartum changes
Many women endure untreated pelvic pain for years due to uncertainty about its seriousness.
Reasons Behind Medical Dismissal of Women’s Symptoms
Women are conditioned to tolerate pain. From a young age, they learn to view fatigue, menstrual pain, and discomfort as normal, leading to delayed treatment.
Research on women’s health is underfunded. Historically, male bodies have been the default in medical studies, leaving gaps in understanding female-specific conditions.
The legacy of “hysteria” persists. Women reporting pain are more likely to be perceived as emotional, whereas men with similar symptoms receive thorough investigations.
5 Strategies If Your Symptoms Are Being Dismissed
Track Your Symptoms: Document when symptoms occur, their duration, and your honest feelings. Clear patterns make it harder to dismiss them as stress-related.
Explain the Impact: Detail how symptoms affect your daily life, such as work, exercise, or sleep, rather than simply stating “it hurts.”
Request Specific Tests: If symptoms persist or worsen, discuss with your doctor the need for scans, blood tests, or referrals.
Seek a Second Opinion: If you feel unheard, consult another healthcare professional. A fresh perspective may lead to different outcomes or quicker treatment.
Consider Medical Cannabis: For chronic pain unresponsive to other treatments, medical cannabis may be an option under specialist supervision to alleviate pain and improve sleep. This should be pursued legally through regulated medical channels.
