Women are enduring painful gynecological conditions due to ‘medical malpractice’. NHSHe got a sad report.
Doctors often don’t know enough about women’s health, which means they fail to recognize symptoms and can’t relieve patients’ pain, he says.
This is due to the ‘widespread stigma’ surrounding reproductive health issues and a lack of education about the common conditions of endometriosis, heavy periods and adenomyosis.
As a result, victims suffer from painful discomfort that interferes with their studies, work, relationships and ‘everyday life’. FertilityMPs from the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, which published its report today, said.
Many are forced to ‘scrabble’ or find the money for expensive personal care, he added.
The report found that research, medical and specialist shortages, coupled with ‘prioritisation’ of obstetrics and gynecology services, caused these waiting lists to grow faster than any other specialist.
Meanwhile, women’s symptoms are often ‘normal’, meaning it can take years to get diagnosed and treated.
Women are enduring painful gynecological conditions due to NHS ‘medical overcrowding’, damning report finds (stock image)
Zainab Kalimula, pictured, waited ‘over a decade’ to be diagnosed with endometriosis after GPs repeatedly dismissed her symptoms.
Ignoring women’s health in the workplace is estimated to cost the UK economy £20 billion a year, with some being forced to quit their jobs.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says Britain is in the midst of a ‘gynecology crisis’, with more than 750,000 women on waiting lists.
The MPs highlighted how women face ‘distressing experiences’ such as having a contraceptive coil or a hysteroscopy – a test to look inside a woman’s womb.
Presenter Naga Munchetty, who has previously shared her harrowing experience with spiral implants and the poor care she received for adenomyosis (when the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle wall of the uterus), gave evidence to the committee alongside reality TV star Vicky. Pattison, who has prematurity disorder that causes extreme mood swings.
GP surgeries were singled out in the report, which highlighted a ‘clear lack of awareness and understanding of women’s reproductive health among primary care professionals’.
The MPs also made recommendations to improve care, including ensuring doctors are aware of the latest diagnostic tests and treatments.
Sarah Owen, chair of the committee, said: ‘Our inquiry is that sexism in medicine has left women suffering and their conditions undiagnosed. Women are waiting years for symptom-free, life-changing treatment…
All the while, their illness is getting worse and more complicated to treat.’
Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, said: ‘It takes on average nine years to be diagnosed with endometriosis in the UK – it shouldn’t. Management and treatment are impossible without diagnosis.’
NHS England said: “We often hear from women in the NHS about their health risks being taken away, which is why we are taking action to improve services for women, including the development of women’s health centres.
‘The centers are giving thousands more women access to specialist support in the community, improving access and women’s experience of care and helping to increase the number of healthcare professionals.’
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “It is absolutely unacceptable that women with fertility problems are not getting the care they need.
‘That’s why we’re reforming women’s health care, putting women’s equality at the core of our agenda.’
