Ignoring Female Problems

by HollySwanson on November 04, 2009

If I can get on a soapbox for a minute, I’m really bothered by how women’s health problems seem to be swept under the rug. I’ve had symptoms of both endometriosis and PCOS since I was 13 but no one ever really addressed it aside from putting me on the pill. I know plenty of other women, too, who have problems with severe pain and irregular cycles but are offered no real options for treatment. I recently Googled “breast pain” when I have problems on the Yaz and found an article by breast-care specialist Dixie Mills, M.D., that acknowledged that “breast pain has not been that well studied, partly because even to this day most scientists are men and don’t have a problem with breast pain.” I agree with her, but it really burns me up.

When I told my doctor that I want a laparoscopy for my endo, her response was “Why? Oh, because of the pain.” As if debilitating cramps isn’t a good enough reason to be treated. Even if it’s common, endometriosis causes a lot of physical problems that disrupt daily lives. I can’t help but think that if men had a medical problem that caused similar problems, it would have a cure or at least effective treatment by now.

I also can’t help but wonder that if I was treated for endo years ago, I might not be having the fertility problems I have now. The same goes for PCOS, which not only doesn’t have an effective treatment, it doesn’t even have a definite diagnosis. I’ve seen at least seven different doctors during the past fifteen years about my period-related problems but was never offered anything more than the pill, which doesn’t treat the problem at all, it only lessens the symptoms. It’s like taking Tylenol for a brain tumor. It might make you feel better for a while, but it doesn’t address the problem.

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