In the UK, healthcare should be free and equal for all. However, there are indications that this is not always the case. In this article, we’ll be exploring if there is a gender bias in women’s health…

Great Britain is understandably proud of its unique healthcare system which, it is thought, offers equal healthcare to all. Despite this, there has been a long history of women’s medical negligence and gender bias in the healthcare system. This can be attributed to medical training being outdated. Also professionals being primarily taught to identify and treat symptoms in men. Despite the female anatomy being very different.

This has led to a number of medical negligence claims from women, due to delays or mistakes in medical diagnoses. To get a feel for bad the gender bias is in women’s health, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the most frequent claims made below.

Gender Bias in Healthcare

While all genders should be treated equally by medical and healthcare professionals, there are a few areas in which many people feel that this is not the case. We are going to examine some of these in this section:

Chronic Pain

Studies show that women are likely to be taken less seriously than men when they complain to a GP or medical professional of chronic pain. A significant number of UK women state that, when telling their doctor about their chronic pain, this is often dismissed as being ‘psychological’ or even as just a ‘normal part of being a woman’. When complaining of pain, women are much less likely to be prescribed pain medication or to be referred to a specialist.

Bleeding Disorders

A bleeding disorder such as haemophilia can become extremely serious if not treated properly and quickly. However, studies show that a significant number of women will receive a diagnosis almost seven months later than men. This is hard to believe when, in many cases, women will be much quicker to notice symptoms and therefore seek medical help for such disorders.

Mental Health Issues

Figures show that one in five women in the UK suffers from some form of mental health issue. Compared to one in eight men. Often, mental health issues in women stem from gender-based factors such as domestic violence, social status and acute illnesses.

Women are considerably more likely to be diagnosed with conditions such as depression and to be prescribed medication while. On the other hand, men will generally be taken more seriously in terms of getting to the root cause of a problem. Rather than automatically putting it down to a mental health issue.

Heart Disease

Around 77 women in the UK die from heart disease every day. Yet diagnostic criteria for heart disease are – and always have been – geared toward men. Because of this, doctors often have a lack of education when it comes to heart disease in women. This can result in misdiagnosis and delayed diagnoses. Which can sadly lead to the progression of an illness and, in some cases, the death of the patient. Often, heart disease can remain undetected for a considerable amount of time. Unfortunately healthcare practices rarely conduct standard heart disease testing on women.

What can Women do to Redress the Balance?

In 2022, gender bias is simply unacceptable in any sector of society. However, it is particularly harmful within the healthcare industry. It is, of course, vital that we are able to trust in our doctors and medical professionals whatever our race, sex, or gender.

if you do feel that you are the victim of gender bias or, that your GP or doctor is not taking you as seriously as they should, you should take the following actions:

Return to the GP and reiterate your complaint. State clearly why you are not satisfied with the original diagnosis

Ask the GP to explain their reasons for dismissing your complaint

Request to see a different doctor within the same practice or hospital

Get a second opinion from a different practice or hospital. Many people choose to seek a second diagnosis from a private healthcare practice

Make a formal complaint to the GP practice or hospital in writing

Seek legal assistance

If you feel that gender bias has seriously affected or endangered your health, you should always seek the services of a solicitor as soon as possible. A specialist medical solicitor will be able to advise you on what action if any, you might be able to take.

Gender Inequality in Women’s Health

In the United Kingdom, women make up 50.57% of the population. Plus they hold high-profile positions in all corners of society, including politics, surgery, policing and healthcare. It’s therefore astonishing that a great number of women in the UK are simply not receiving medical and healthcare equal to men.

Women are often reluctant to ‘make a fuss’ in comparison to men. However, when it comes to our health, women should never allow themselves to feel invisible or ignored. If you feel that you’re not getting the help from a medical professional that you should, it’s vital that you either keep returning or seek a second opinion to avoid an issue turning into a major medical problem.

Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical professional. Be sure to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.