Happy Women’s Day? Really?

Summary

The article underscores the inadequacy of medical research in women's health, particularly in understanding and treating conditions like endometriosis, which affects a significant portion of the female population.

Abstract

The medical community's approach to women's health issues, exemplified by the handling of endometriosis, is criticized in the article for its lack of definitive explanations and robust research. The author points out the frustrating use of terms like "autoimmune," "idiopathic," and "theory" in medical texts, which reflect the gaps in knowledge about conditions such as endometriosis. Despite the condition affecting one in ten women, leading to severe symptoms like nasal bleeds, the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains mired in hypotheses without substantial financial investment in research, contrasting with the attention given to studies like the Framingham Heart Study. The personal impact of this research gap is highlighted by the author's own experience of being diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis, which was delayed due to a lack of recognition and valuation of the pain associated with the disease.

Opinions

The author expresses frustration with the medical community's use of non-specific terms for conditions like endometriosis, indicating a lack of understanding.
There is a clear call for more rigorous research and funding in women's health issues, comparable to major studies in other areas of medicine.
The author suggests that societal and medical undervaluation of women's pain contributes to delayed diagnoses and inadequate treatment.
The personal account of being diagnosed at stage 4 endometriosis serves as a critique of both the medical profession and the author's own initial dismissal of her symptoms.

The medical world needs to do better in Womens’ health research

Three of the most frustrating words in medical textbooks I’ve come across are:

autoimmune

idiopathic

theory

Consider “Endometriosis,”

The screenshot was taken by the author. Not even Unsplash is aware :(

There’s no proper explanation why the endometrial tissue goes berserk and finds shelter in places like the nose and lungs! It almost feels like malignancy, only more controllable. To enlighten you, women suffering from Endometriosis can have cyclical nasal bleeds!

The pathogenesis is filled with ‘theories’.

There are a bunch of hypotheses but hardly any money spent to confirm them. No rigorous research like the Framingham Heart study when 1 in 10 females suffer from it!

We’ve always brushed aside a woman’s pain.

This hit hard when I was diagnosed at Stage 4. I was guilty of delaying my diagnosis because I didn’t give value to my pain.

Neither as a doctor nor as a woman.