There’s a phrase I’ve heard too many times from women after a GP appointment: “They said it was just stress.”
It doesn’t matter if the complaint was crippling cramps, fatigue that made it impossible to get out of bed, or chest pain that felt frightening, the story is often the same. Women’s pain is minimised, explained away, or left for “watchful waiting.”
When I sat down with Fiona on The Visionary With Hala Ali Podcast, we dug into this uncomfortable truth: gender bias in medicine is still alive and well. And the cost is women living with undiagnosed conditions, sometimes for years.
Why Women Are Still Being Overlooked
Research shows that women are more likely than men to have their symptoms dismissed or misattributed to psychological causes. Instead of proper investigations, many walk away with painkillers, antidepressants, or the suggestion to “manage stress.”
This isn’t about bad doctors, it’s about a system built on data that didn’t include women for decades. Most clinical trials were conducted on men, leaving huge gaps in how conditions present in women. That oversight continues to shape how care is delivered today.
A Personal Reflection
I’ve seen it in conversations with friends, colleagues, and even family members. A woman goes to the doctor for years with the same complaint. She’s told it’s nothing serious. But later, it turns out to be endometriosis, a heart condition, or something else that should never have been overlooked.
The emotional toll is just as heavy as the physical one. Being told over and over again that your pain isn’t real makes you doubt yourself and that’s a wound that takes far longer to heal.
Why This Matters
Gender bias in healthcare isn’t just an academic issue. It shows up in everyday lives:
- Women waiting an average of eight years for an endometriosis diagnosis.
- Women having heart attacks misdiagnosed as indigestion or anxiety.
- Women struggling with debilitating symptoms, yet being told they’re “too young” for menopause.
This is not about blame. It’s about awareness, education, and pushing for a healthcare culture that believes women the first time.
A Call for Change
If women’s voices had been valued equally in research and practice all along, how many lives would look different today?
The good news is the tide is starting to turn. More studies are being designed with women in mind. More women are speaking out about their experiences. And more doctors are beginning to recognise the blind spots in traditional medical training.
But there’s still a long way to go.
If you’ve ever walked out of an appointment feeling unheard, know that you are not alone and your pain deserves to be taken seriously.
Fiona’s story sheds light on the hidden bias many of us have felt but struggled to name. Listen to the full episode of The Visionary Podcast.
-Written by host Hala Ali
The Visionary with Hala Ali Podcast 