Women and girls endure years of suffering because their reproductive conditions are neglected due to “medical misogyny”, a damning parliamentary report finds.
Women and Equalities Commission report reveals gynecological conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis are treated with inadequate care due to ‘pervasive stigma’, lack of education from professionals health and “medical misogyny”.
The Commons select committee, which set out to examine the experiences of care that women with reproductive problems receive in England, found that symptoms are often ‘normalised’ and it can take years for women to get diagnosis and treatment.
Substandard gynecological care cited in the report also includes routine IUD fittings, cervical exams and hysteroscopies.
The report says women are left with pain and discomfort that “interferes with all aspects of their daily lives,” including their education, careers, relationships and fertility, while their condition deteriorates.
He also found that there was a ““clear lack of awareness and understanding of women’s reproductive health issues among primary health care practitioners” and concluded that gynecological care is not treated as a priority.
The pervasive stigma associated with gynecological and urogynecological health, lack of education and “medical misogyny” have contributed to poor awareness of these conditions.
The committee heard testimony from broadcasters Naga Munchetty and Vicky Pattison, who detailed the poor care they received while being treated for adenomyosis and premenstrual dysphoric disorder respectively.
The report calls on the government to allocate more funds to research into women’s reproductive health conditions, and for the government’s women’s health center model to receive long-term, earmarked funding.
Endometriosis affects one in 10 women in the UK and is caused by tissue similar to the lining of the womb growing elsewhere in the body, often leading to chronic pelvic pain and painful periods. Adenomyosis causes the lining of the uterus to grow into its muscular wall, which again causes painful symptoms.
Sarah Owen, Labor MP for Luton North and chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, said the report was a “wake-up call” for the Government and the Government. NHSadding: “Our investigation showed that misogyny in medicine leaves women in pain and their pathologies undiagnosed.
“Women see their symptoms disappear, wait years for life-changing treatment and, in too many cases, are subjected to traumatic procedures. During this time, their condition worsens and becomes more complicated to treat.
Zainab Kaleemullah, a 35-year-old civil servant, was diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis in 2022, despite experiencing the painful symptoms such as heavy periods, nausea and chronic anemia associated with these diseases for a decade.
Before the official diagnosis, Kaleemullah found his symptoms had been ignored by medical professionals.
“I was constantly going to the GP, being misdiagnosed with depression and irritable bowel syndrome, somehow made to feel like it was all in my head and it was all up to me. is normal for women,” she said.
“It made me feel incredibly isolated – I had to constantly go to my GP, tell them about my symptoms and they would just turn me down and not take me seriously.”
Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, said her charity welcomed the report and its recommendations.
She added: “These (recommendations), together with the passion for this issue expressed in the committee’s report, should give hope to those affected by endometriosis and menstrual health issues that their voices will be heard.
“Endometriosis UK looks forward to working with governments and health services across the UK to turn the report’s recommendations into reality. »
Janet Lindsay, chief executive of Wellbeing of Women, said: “Millions of women and girls suffer from heavy bleeding and severe period pain which disrupts their lives, forcing them to miss school, work or their family responsibilities.
“Instead of receiving the treatment and support they desperately need, they are often dismissed and told it’s “just a period.” This is unacceptable.
“We also want better menstrual health education in schools, so women know when and how to seek help, as well as increased funding for gynecological research. We need to do more to ensure that women and girls no longer have to worry about their periods.
An NHS England spokesperson said: “Too often in the NHS we hear about women whose health problems have been ignored. That’s why we’re taking steps to improve services for women, including deploying women’s health centers across the country.
“The centers enable thousands more women to access specialist support in the community, which not only improves women’s access and experience of care, but also helps to upskill healthcare professionals with a full range of staff working in one location.
“The NHS is also developing a Women’s Health Champions Network, made up of senior leaders from each local care system, to advance women’s health. »