Do Women Get Ignored by Doctors?

Yes i recently got bloodwork which showed up positive for autoimmune disorder of some kind but now i have to figure out what. I asked my primary because i am having arthritis symptoms at 34

Yes. I tell them my symptoms and all they want to say is they don’t think I have this so we aren’t testing or oh we don’t usually see this in young females( all lies). Still undiagnosed even with a positive autoimmune test. 😒🙄

I have found many doctors to be dismissive and have been given the runaround. And I really believe they are more dismissive because I’m a woman . Seriously. And friends who are healthy just don’t get it . I’ve realized after 17 years of illness that they will never understand, so I limit my discussing it with them so I can avoid the eye rolls or unsolicited advice . It took me years to stop feeling resentful of their blowing me off . My best friend has fibromyalgia so she and I talk at length . She’s the only one who understands . I’ve had to advocate for myself with my doctors . I have a few really great ones but even they occasionally try to dismiss stuff and I have to force them to continue testing. It’s really frustrating. And disrespectful. I try to just keep informed and do a lot of research and ask a ton of questions.

100%!! Not just doctors either. Even people in my personal life: teachers, coworkers, friends, family. Took 2 doctors telling me something was wrong for people to take me seriously. Even then, I’m still being told it’s anxiety, allergies, and everything else under the sun.

Yes! Like people think you’re a hypochondriac and it’s all in your head. I started seeing a female rheumatologist 6 months ago and it’s made a huge difference! Invisible disease is such a burden. People have no idea.

YES.