Defining Medical Gaslighting
Medical gaslighting occurs when a healthcare provider dismisses, minimises, or attributes a patient's symptoms to psychological causes without appropriate investigation. For women, this manifests as being told period pain is normal when it's debilitating, that fatigue is anxiety when it's thyroid disease, or that pelvic pain is stress when it's endometriosis or adenomyosis.
The Endometriosis Diagnostic Delay
The average time from first symptom to endometriosis diagnosis is 7.5 years in the UK and 8–10 years in parts of Europe. Women report visiting their GP an average of 7 times before being referred to a specialist. The cumulative physical damage from years of untreated endometriosis, including scar tissue, adhesions, and fertility impact, is a direct consequence of this systemic failure.
How to Recognise When You're Being Dismissed
You are being dismissed when: your pain is attributed solely to anxiety or stress without investigation; you are prescribed antidepressants for physical symptoms without a physical examination; your concerns are minimised with "that's normal for women"; you are told to "lose weight" without your presenting complaint being addressed; or your requests for specific tests or referrals are refused without explanation.
Practical Tools for Self-Advocacy
Document everything: dates, symptoms, what was said, what was prescribed. Use a numerical pain scale and specific functional language ("I cannot work during my period," not "it's quite bad"). Ask for written referral refusals. Request a second opinion, this is your legal right in most countries. Bring this data to every appointment. An objective symptom history is much harder to dismiss than a verbal account.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is written for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.
Dr. Sophie Laurent
Psychiatrist
All TryHerCare articles are written and reviewed by qualified medical professionals. Our content is clinician-reviewed to ensure accuracy and clinical relevance.
