Labor and Delivery Forum - Discrimination Against Female Patients

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Do you feel that you have been discriminated against by a doctor because you are a woman?

Yes
No

22% [ 5 ]

77% [ 17 ]

Total Votes : 22

Q: Discrimination Against Female Patients

asked by: Chinarose on March 12th, 2004

New User

Discrimination against female patients
posted: 03-12-04 5:31am

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i believe that women are discriminated against in the medical world. Not by all doctors but I believe they are the majority. They don't take womens concerns seriously and often think that our problems are emotional instead of real. Quick to say you are depressed or treat you as if you are a hypocondriac. For ten years I was having problems with my heart. They started when I was 14y.Old and got worse. I began looking for help at age 18. Palpatations, rapid heart rate(160 bpm) out of the blue and when i'm sedentary, numbness and tingling mainly in my left arm and sometimes pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath. I discussed this problem with 5 private practice doctors (all men but even one woman doctor) and 2 e.R. Doctors during a 10 year period. Only the e.R. Doctors did an ekg. But all of them said it was panic attacks and put me on zanax! And a variety of anti-depressants. 10 years later I go to work for a cardiologist office and after awhile (still having problems) I spoke to a nurse about it and she took my blood pressure. It was fine. She suggested that I see one of our 13 doctors. So I did. They ran tests including an echocardiogram which concluded that I had a mitral valve and tricuspid valve prolapses. Not deadly but life disrupting symptoms. The doctor knew it was a prolapse just by listening to my heart and hearing my symptoms. The echo just confirmed his opinion. Later I found out that it is hereditary and that both my mom and my grandmother have it. (my mom has one and my grandmother has two like me.)it is also common in women. Like 1 in 10 women have it. But not all have symptoms. Tell me why wouldn't these other doctors have done further testing and be so quick to put me on zanax and anti-depressants. Which I did not need. Other experiences have happened as well that have led me to believe that the doctor I saw did not take me seriously and also that when I ask questions they don't seem to really want to answer them. As if I don't need to understand or won't understand what they are going to tell me. I took a class in college called fitness for life. It stated just what I had suspected.Statics show that women are sometimes discrimated against because of the male perception of women. I will find the book and quote it to you later in another post to update this one. Well I think we women should try to do something about this. I'm not sure what at this time. But I will think about it. Please share any opinions, experiences, or suggestions with me. Thanks. :d

Replies(7)

latoya_bryer

replied on March 15th, 2004

Experienced User

True

Yes I do believe some doctors do treat women as though they never know what is wrong with themselves but I just have on question. Did you post it on labor and delivery because you figured only women would read it or just by accident?

2ferano

replied on March 15th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

She posted it in a lot of different places....Probably to get the most response.

sandyallen

replied on March 15th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Change!

If you feel discriminated against with your Dr. Then just get another Dr. A lot of doctors now adays are afraid to do anything because of all the lawsuits and the system does not help either you just have to keep trying until you find the right one and don't wait until it is too late!
Always,
sandy

ajay70

replied on November 19th, 2004

New User

Discriminating of Females By Doctors

First things first there are many doctors who work hard at thier jobs and do care. But as with everything there is always the exceptions. One I am sorry that it took ten years for you to get a doctor who toke you seriuosly about your heart condition. As far as my own personal experiences I have had one was while I was in the military I was assaulted. I didn't even know right away something had happened exactly but things didn't seem right. When I went to the doctor and I asked him to test me for any type of drugs because I should not have anything in my system not even tylenol he completely ingnored my request and told me I should get help with drinking problems and that I wasn't drugged. I also reported to him that I had been assaulted and he didn't even report it. I don't know if it was because he was a guy, didn't care, didn't believe me or whatever. This isn't to say all military doctors are bad either. But for anyone that reads this, no matter what the situation whether it is for a headache or assault or any other condition if you don't feel comfortable with your doctor get a new one or atleast another opinion from a different one. And if you feel you have been discriminated against file a grievence. If it doesn't solve your sitituation it will probably help the next person who comes along.

melissa22

replied on June 20th, 2005

New User

I Do Agree

I can agree with a lot that you have stated. I fell at work from an over head conveyer six foot up. I fell onto a metal grated walk way, landing on both knee's. Was made to walk over half a mile to the office. Was sent to the hospital. (company hospital) got stitches and was told to come back in a few days. So long story short I saw 12 different doctors all men 18 visits to the company hospital. 20 about 18 different male physical therapist. Was made to do therapy on an injured knee. I worked every day chucking mail bags. 2lbs. To 100lbs bags. 60 bags a minute not an easy job. I weighed 140 at 5'3 and could bench 90lbs a hundred times. I was thick but definitely in shape. So the 12th doctor, was angry to see me once again. Threw his hands up and told me I was only faking an injury to get attention. He finally told me after I argued with him for an hour, that he would give me a referral to see a specialist, just to shut me up. So I went to the specialist and was in the waiting room picked up a women's health magazine. Found out that active people tend to have knee problems. Now this disease i'm talking about is often found in athletes. Saw the specialist and guess what. Dr. Lintner took two x-rays. Came back in the room and told me you have chondromalacia. The same disease I read about in the women's health magazine. Had two surgeries to correct the damage and haven't had too many problems sense then. If it wasn't for Dr. Lintner at ortho-indy i'm sure I would be dealing with knee problems still to this day. Needless to say all the male doctors thought I was a whiny female who couldn't take the job. Yeah jokes on them. I got hurt was dismissed and sued that stupid company. I didn't get as much as I could have but enough. Yeah there are a lot of men who put women into some sort of stereo type. Out of about 40 men only one believed and would listen to my complaints. One out of 40. Thats a shame. He sat down asked me how active I was. Told him swimming for 8 years biking every chance I got and poof he said let me take two xrays and I think I know whats wrong. I told him I found out reading this magazine but I was going to wait to see what he thought. Just wanted to test him you know. He was not offened at all. When I told him what I had been through with all the other doctors. He told me thats why there are so many lawsuits against doctors. You get one who thinks he knows it all and the rest just follow. Thank god one good doctor gave me the time of day. Thanks lintner......

DaliciaLynn

replied on August 1st, 2005

Extremely eHealthy

Ive already been through 3 obgyn's

i had morning sickness on another level than normal, it's called hyperemesis gravidarium. Basically, I was puking all day everyday and had to go to the er twice to get an i.V and get rehydrated.

One of my old obgyn's said it wasn't realistic.

caca!

Symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarium
severe nausea
persistent excessive vomiting (more than 3 or 4 times a day)
dehydration.
A decrease in urination due to dehydration.
Maternal weight loss or failure to gain weight.
Rapid heartbeat.
Headaches and confusion.
Skin may become pale-looking and dry.

If you feel that you have the symptoms above, please talk to your doctor about it. There are steps doctors can take, including anti emetic drugs, which can help you make it through your pregnancy to term. This is not a condition that you should "grin and bear it" through

i finally got a doctor that is awesome, he prescribed me with "benadryl" it's an allergy medication but it works wonders! I've only thrown up once since i've been on it which it's been a month.

:d

nbpt

replied on November 27th, 2008

New User

not true

Currently healthcare in the United States is run by women for women, it is called the feminiziation of healthcare. Please ladies stop your complaining. You have a right to choose a female doctor if you please men don't, male nurses are banned form working in L&D, and obstetrics. That screams discrimination to me however under current laws, male nurses are still not allowed to be employeed in those areas, conversely women are allowed to work wherever that please! Doesn't sound right does it, hopefully that will change. Doctors have to take a very conservative approach because of liability issues in today world, you have to be an active participant in your own healthcare. So with that being said take charge of you self and stop the whining, for once be decisive make a decision and stop blaming others for your misfortune. The winds of change ore blowing, affrimative action is dead women are guaranteed equal opportunity however not equal outcome.

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