Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

1 in 4 women fear they have been misdiagnosed by doctors

More than half feel medical professionals don't listen to them properly.

1 in 4 women fear they have been misdiagnosed by doctors

Half of the world’s population comprises women, yet medical research has always been mostly conducted for males. Women have also been considered inferior to men, right from the earliest days of medicine.

Not only have doctors, scientists, and researchers mostly been men, but most of the cells, animals and humans studied in medical science have also been male, reports the Guardian.


Therefore, most of the medical advances have come from the study of male biology.

In a recent poll that included 2000 women, nearly a quarter, which is 23 percent, suspect that they received a wrong diagnosis due to a lack of female medical research, stated a report in the Mirror.

Additionally, over one in five women (22 percent) feel that their gender is to blame for the incorrect diagnoses. Also, half of the women allegedly accused medical professionals of not listening to them properly.

Furthermore, amongst the women who believe they have been misdiagnosed, nearly one in three (29 percent) still feel they have not received the correct diagnosis.

And alarmingly, for more than a quarter (26 percent) of these women, the Mirror reported that these were life-altering or life-threatening conditions.

Dr Kate Young, a public health researcher at Monash University in Australia, is reported to have told the Guardian earlier, “For much of documented history, women have been excluded from medical and science knowledge production, so essentially we’ve ended up with a healthcare system, among other things in society, that has been made by men for men.”

This concern is also echoed by best-selling author and podcaster Emma Gannon.

According to the Mirror, Emma said, “Medical research focusing mainly on men is damaging women’s health, resulting in misdiagnoses and potentially threatening lives.

“There is simply not enough data or research available still, which is causing women to not feel understood and heard in the context of their bodies.

“Most doctors really do work hard to help as much as they can, but the data and knowledge hasn't caught up yet, and this gender data gap is at the root of systemic discrimination against women.”

The Mirror reported that the digital healthcare platform Livi had commissioned the research in association with Emma to release a free eBook titled, “Miss Diagnosed: the health handbook every woman (and man) should read.”

Dr Kate strongly feels that “Medicine defines the female and male bodies as distinct but not equal; analyses of medical texts throughout history reveals the male body to be constructed as superior and the template against which bodies are judged. Any aspect of the female body that differs from the male or that cannot be given a male comparative (exemplified by the uterus) is viewed as evidence of deviation or “fault.”

Speaking about the gender gap in medical research and how the free eBook could help, Dr Bryony Henderson, the lead GP for the service is reported to have said, “Despite our differences in physiology and genetic make-up, collective research suggests there is still a wide gap in knowledge on how medical conditions affect men and women differently.

“And this lack of education can result in women receiving poorer medical advice.

“Until about 25 years ago, almost all medical research was carried out exclusively on men, and so we still have a lot of catching up to do.

“Digital healthcare has a huge role to play in closing the gender health gap, which is why we have used our knowledge to create a free eBook as a resource to help towards doing so.”

According to information mentioned in the House of Lords Library last year, feminist author Caroline Criado Perez in her book, ‘Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men’ gathered various statistics depicting how women are treated unequally. She reportedly stated that the data shows that healthcare is “systematically discriminating against women, leaving them chronically misunderstood, mistreated and misdiagnosed.”

Caroline had argued that women have been considered less important to men since ancient times. Stating that the problem is still prevalent due to the patriarchal world view in the healthcare system, she reportedly said that women are routinely underrepresented in clinical trials and that medical research proposed by women, for women, is not allotted the same funding as medical research proposed by men, for men.

Also considering why there are differences in the treatment women receive, Dr Janine Austin Clayton, director of the US Office of Research on Women’s Health, reportedly said that “we literally know less about every aspect of female biology compared to male biology.”

According to the study by Livi, it was found that the biggest health concerns for women included menopause, menstruation and mental health, with many women also being concerned about pregnancy and fertility issues.

The extent of the impact of the misdiagnosis was also revealed. So, while a third (34 percent) claim it was damaging to their relationships, 42 percent reported that their mental health was affected. Another 18 percent believed that their misdiagnosis affected their sex life and one in four women (28 percent) feel that doctors are not properly trained in all aspects of women’s health.

More For You

uk weather

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England

iStock

England faces widespread heat alerts and hosepipe bans amid rising temperatures

Highlights:

  • Amber heat health alerts in place for large parts of England
  • Hosepipe bans announced in Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex
  • Temperatures could reach 33°C over the weekend
  • Health risks rise, especially for elderly and vulnerable groups

Heat warnings in effect as UK braces for another hot weekend

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England, with temperatures expected to climb to 33°C in some areas over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated the warning at 12 pm on Friday, with it set to remain in place until 9 am on Monday.

The alerts cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, south-east, south-west, East of England, and London. Additional yellow alerts were issued for the north-east, north-west, and Yorkshire and the Humber, starting from midday Friday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Essex ladybird invasion

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear

Dee-anne Markiewicz / SWNS

Swarms of ladybirds invade Essex coastline amid soaring temperatures

Highlights:

  • Ladybird swarms reported across Essex and Suffolk coastal towns
  • Hot weather likely driving the sudden surge in population
  • Sightings include Point Clear, Shoebury, Clacton and Felixstowe
  • Similar outbreaks occurred in 1976 during another hot UK summer

Sudden surge in ladybird numbers across the southeast

Millions of ladybirds have been spotted swarming towns and villages along the Essex coast, with similar sightings stretching into Suffolk. Residents have reported unusually high numbers of the red and black-spotted insects, particularly near coastal areas, with the recent hot weather believed to be a major contributing factor.

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear, a village near St Osyth in Essex, where the insects could be seen piling on top of each other on driftwood and plants.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kapil Sharma

Kapil Sharma’s Canada cafe shot at days after opening

Instagram/ginnichatrath

Kapil Sharma’s Canadian café targeted in shooting, Khalistani terrorist cites mockery of Nihang Sikhs as motive

Highlights:

  • Shots were fired at Kap’s Café in Surrey, Canada, owned by comedian Kapil Sharma, just days after its opening.
  • Khalistani extremist Harjit Singh Laddi, linked to banned group BKI, claimed responsibility.
  • The motive cited was an old comedy segment from The Kapil Sharma Show that allegedly mocked Nihang Sikhs.
  • No injuries were reported; Canadian authorities are investigating the incident.

Comedian Kapil Sharma’s recently launched Kap’s Café in Surrey, British Columbia, was the target of a shooting in the early hours of 10 July. Though no one was harmed, the property sustained significant damage. A known Khalistani extremist, Harjit Singh Laddi, has claimed responsibility for the attack, citing perceived religious disrespect on The Kapil Sharma Show.

 Kap\u2019s Cafe in Surrey  Kap’s Cafe in Surrey was struck by gunfire late at night with staff still insideInstagram/thekapscafe_

Keep ReadingShow less
Police probe hate crime over migrant effigies bonfire in Northern Ireland

Models depicting migrants wearing life jackets in a small boat alongside two banners reading 'Stop the boats' and 'Veterans before refugees' are displayed on top a bonfire in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, on July 9, 2025. (Photo by PETER MURPHY/AFP via Getty Images)

Police probe hate crime over migrant effigies bonfire in Northern Ireland

POLICE in Northern Ireland have launched a hate crime investigation after a bonfire topped with effigies of migrants in a boat was set alight in the village of Moygashel, County Tyrone.

The incident, which took place on Thursday (10) night, has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, church officials, and human rights groups.

Keep ReadingShow less
Navratri festival in Wembley

A similar event held at the same site last year resulted in a planning enforcement notice being issued due to complaints of noise and disturbance.

Getty Images

Navratri festival in Wembley faces objections

A PROPOSED 10-day Hindu festival in Wembley, north London, has drawn objections over concerns about noise and disruption in the area.

Asian Events Media (AEM) has applied to Brent Council to host the Navratri celebration at Alperton Studios from September 22 to October 1, according to The London Standard.

Keep ReadingShow less