Felt dismissed or struggling for health answers? Read this

If you’ve ever walked out of a health appointment feeling unheard, you’re not alone. A staggering 93% of women in our recent survey reported feeling dismissed when seeking answers for persistent health issues.

In this blog, we cover:

• The most common symptoms women struggle with
• Why are women's health concerns dismissed?
• What can you do to get a diagnosis faster?
• Don't shh me

 

The most common symptoms women struggle with

 

For many, these symptoms aren’t just minor inconveniences. They impact daily life, work, and relationships.

Our research highlights the top five symptoms experienced by respondents:

1. Chronic fatigue or low energy – 71%
2. Brain fog or trouble concentrating – 55%
3. Digestive problems (bloating, IBS, nausea, etc.) – 54%
4. Anxiety, depression, or mood changes – 50%
5. Chronic pain or body aches – 49%

Despite their severity, these symptoms are often brushed aside, leading to years of unnecessary suffering.

The hidden health conditions often overlooked

Many respondents later received diagnoses for serious conditions that were initially missed.

The top four reported health conditions or troublesome symptoms were:

1. Thyroid issues (underactive, overactive, etc.) – 52.11%
2. Chronic fatigue or exhaustion – 48.12%
3. Autoimmune conditions (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MS) – 36.59%
4. Weight changes – 26.94%

Autoimmune and thyroid conditions, in particular, are frequently missed in early stages, leaving people without proper treatment for years.

Why are women's health concerns dismissed?

 

A combination of factors, including stretched services and misdiagnosis, contributes to feelings of being dismissed. Here are some of the top reasons for dismissals in women's healthcare.

1. Overlapping symptoms 

Many conditions share similar symptoms, making it harder to pinpoint a diagnosis. 

For example:

• Thyroid disorders and Hashimoto’s disease cause fatigue, brain fog, weight changes, and mood swings (often misattributed to stress or lifestyle).
• Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can give rise to symptoms like digestive issues which may be put down to IBS and not properly investigated.
• Anxiety and depression may stem from hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, or chronic illnesses but are often dismissed as mental health conditions.

2. Gender bias and gaps in research

Women's symptoms can be downplayed due to gender bias, gaps in medical research, and assumptions about hormones.

• Pain and fatigue are more likely to be attributed to psychological causes, such as stress or anxiety, rather than fully investigated.
• Autoimmune diseases and thyroid disorders, which disproportionately affect women, often go undiagnosed for years.
• Medical research has historically focused on men, leaving women underrepresented in clinical studies. As a result, conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and autoimmune diseases remain poorly understood. 
• Men and women can present differently for some conditions. A classic example of this is a heart attack – and we may only know the male signs to look out for. 

This, combined with shorter appointment times and a tendency to attribute symptoms to hormonal fluctuations, delays diagnosis and treatment. Addressing these disparities requires better research representation, increased awareness, and a shift in how women’s health is approached in clinical settings.

 

 

3. Limited testing and delayed referrals

Early diagnostic tests could speed up the process, but many women don’t receive comprehensive testing straight away.

Conditions like thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, and hormonal imbalances require specific blood tests, yet these aren’t always offered early in the diagnostic process.

What can you do to get a diagnosis faster?

 

While some parts of healthcare may go slower than we'd like, there are proactive steps you can take to gain more control over your health.

1. Track your symptoms

Keeping a detailed record of your symptoms can help doctors identify patterns and reach a diagnosis faster. This is especially important if you're seeing different specialists who may not have access to your full notes or history.

Use a journal or health-tracking app to note:

• When your symptoms started
• How frequently do they occur
• Any triggers (e.g., stress, food, hormonal changes)
• Patterns over time

2. Get the right blood tests

A home blood test can be an efficient way to check key health markers without waiting for a referral. You can then share your blood test results with your GP which can sometimes help speed up the process in reaching a diagnosis.

Tests to consider include:

• Thyroid function tests (T3, T4, TSH) for suspected thyroid conditions
• Hormone tests to investigate imbalances linked to fatigue, weight changes, and mood swings
• Vitamin and nutrient tests to check for deficiencies contributing to symptoms

 

3. Advocate for yourself

If you feel like your concerns aren’t being taken seriously, don't be afraid to push for answers:

• Bring your symptom tracker and test results to appointments.
• Request a second opinion if you’re not getting the support you need.
• Seek out a specialist. Some conditions require expertise beyond general practice.
• You may find it helpful to bring someone along for support, especially if you're not feeling confident

4. Consider private testing and specialist care

While NHS care is invaluable, private testing can sometimes speed up the process. Home blood tests enable you to check key health markers quickly, meaning you can bring valuable data to your doctor and potentially fast-track a diagnosis.

You can also access a wider range of biomarkers than those generally offered by GPs, identifying early indicators even if they don’t yet meet standard criteria for concern.

Don't shh me

 

If you're struggling to get a diagnosis, know that you’re not alone — and you’re not imagining your symptoms. Chronic fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, anxiety, and chronic pain are real concerns that deserve attention.

Taking control of your health through symptom tracking, getting the right tests, and advocating for yourself can make all the difference.

To support women in taking charge of their health, we’ve launched our Don't shh me campaign to raise awareness about the dismissal of women’s health concerns. Get involved and learn more about the campaign and available resources.

 

 

---

References

• Chrousos, G. P. (2009). "Stress and disorders of the stress system." Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 5(7), 374-381.
• Vgontzas, A. N., & Chrousos, G. P. (2002). "Sleep, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and cytokines: multiple interactions and disturbances in sleep disorders." Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America, 31(1), 15-36.
• Medici, M., et al. (2011). "Thyroid function within the normal range and the risk of depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 96(4), E614-E622.
• Bercik, P., et al. (2012). "The intestinal microbiota affect central levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and behavior in mice." Gastroenterology, 141(2), 599-609.
• Damasio, A. R. (1994). Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain. New York: Putnam.