We're Fucked All Over

It's FRIDAY! I'm a FEMINIST! So we're back again with ? FEMINISM FRIDAY ? !

This week, I wanna talk about yet another 'gap' between the sexes and that's the gender health gap. We're not only fucked about at work and at home.. we also get fucked about at the doctors too. Yay! ??

If you're wondering what I mean, you're probably male. But I'll lay it out for everyone here...

???? Women are less likely to be taken seriously at the doctors. Actual physical and mental conditions are brushed off as side effects of contraception, the menopause, or 'hormonal' issues. Sometimes, we're even told it's a mental health condition and we're not really in physical distress. Literally gaslighted by the medical profession. Awesome! ??

???? It can take up to EIGHT YEARS to be diagnosed with endometriosis. That's the one where uterine lining grows elsewhere in your body and causes EXTREME pain every time you have a period. But sure, women will be fine waiting eight years for some proper treatment.

???? Let's add a bit more fuel to this bonfire ... women are not treated equally when it comes to pain relief. Black women especially suffer the most from pain bias. And women in general are routinely given a lower dosage of pain relief than a man after undergoing the same medical procedure.

???? There's also less medical research done into the effects of medications and treatments on women. In fact, until the 1990s, we weren't really included in any clinical trials. No, I'm not kidding. It turns out that 80% of pain medications have only been tested on men. Cause our periods would 'disrupt' the results. WTF ??

???? Let's compound the issue further by not bothering to teach medical students about this knowledge bias. Nah, we'll just pretend it's all hunky dory cause after all, it's just the little ladies who are suffering.

?? And finally, let's look at the impact that all this medical gender bias has on women. That's right, because we're left in pain for longer, mistreated, misdiagnosed and generally ignored by the medical industry... we're impacted in the workplace.

Because trying to go to work when you're in chronic pain is fucking hard. Trying to excel at work when you're in chronic pain is nigh on impossible. Living with these conditions for extended periods of time leads to higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression. Which again impacts our ability to perform.

I'll stick a really interesting article in the comments but I'm sure the ladies aren't gonna disappoint with stories about this one today ??