Have a Women’s Health Issue? Here’s How to Get the Advice You Need

Whether it’s endometriosis or menopause, all too often women don’t talk about their health problems. Worse, when they do they can feel dismissed or ignored, even by health professionals. 

This can result in women struggling with difficult symptoms with no relief and delayed diagnoses (like for endometriosis, which is around five years after first seeing a doctor).

We speak to Dr Sarah White, CEO of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health on how we can learn to speak up for ourselves and get the right medical advice and support.

Many women have trouble talking about “women’s health” issues – with friends, with doctors. Why is that?

Many people find discussing "women's health issues" hard because there is societal stigma around topics like periods, sex and menopause. Cultural norms often discourage open conversations about sexual and reproductive health.

Fear of judgment and embarrassment can make it difficult to talk about these issues, even with healthcare providers.

What are some of the impacts of this stigma around women’s health?

The stigma surrounding women's health can have significant impacts. It can delay diagnosis and treatment, contribute to mental stress, and prevent women from seeking necessary care, which can lead to a deterioration in health outcomes.

This stigma means that either women don't discuss their issues with their friends and family, leading them to feel quite isolated or, if women do discuss their issues with their friends or family, they experience a lack of understanding and support.

One under-recognised consequence of this stigma is that girls and women are completely unprepared if something does go wrong with their periods, for example, or they start to experience menopause symptoms. Open discussions about women's health will help girls and women be prepared and know where to go when they get symptoms that interfere with their quality of life.

You’ve recently had a session called Courageous Conversations on talking to your doctor about women's health issues. Can you please share some of the key tips with us?

We aim to empower women to discuss topics like about menopause, hormones, heavy periods, PCOS, and more with their doctors.

Here are some key tips from our session:

• Make a list of symptoms, questions and concerns before your appointment. This helps ensure that you cover all necessary topics during your limited time with the doctor.
• Be open about lifestyle habits and symptoms. This allows healthcare providers to offer the most accurate advice and treatment options.
• If you feel your concerns are not being taken seriously, ask specific questions like "What might this be?" or "What should I do if symptoms worsen?" This encourages doctors to consider all possibilities.

What can women do when they are not sure their health concerns are worth addressing, or if they don’t know how to bring them up?

Women should trust their instincts and seek professional advice if something feels off. No concern is too small if it affects your wellbeing.

Documenting symptoms and changes can help articulate concerns effectively during medical appointments.

What should a woman do if she feels like her doctor or healthcare provider is dismissing her concerns?

If a woman feels dismissed, she should consider seeking a second opinion as it's important to find a healthcare provider who listens and respects her concerns. Asking for a referral to a specialist can also be beneficial.

All of this can be difficult in rural and regional areas, so look for telehealth options, too. I recommend always emphasising the impact that the issue is having on quality of life, so don't just say, "My periods are painful." Say, "My periods are so painful, I cannot do this or do that." (Whatever 'this' or 'that' might be.) And ask the doctor to include this impact and document their view that there is nothing wrong in their file notes, which can help if you need to go back because the pain is still an issue.

Do you think society and the medical profession is making changes to improve the stigma and lack of research around women’s health?

Yes, I think there is progress being made. Society and the medical profession – and researchers and funding bodies – are recognising the need to address stigma and the lack of research around women's health. There is a growing recognition of the need for gender-responsive healthcare and more research into conditions that predominantly affect women.

Why is it important for women to speak up about their health concerns?

It's vital for women to feel empowered to speak up about their health concerns. Open dialogue can help break down stigma and lead to better health outcomes, and seeking understanding and support – for yourself or for others – is a sign of strength, not weakness.