“Medical misogyny” leaves many women in pain, MPs’ inquiry finds

­­Doctors are too often dismissive of women’s symptoms when they present for treatment for reproductive health conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and heavy menstrual bleeding, a parliamentary inquiry has concluded.1

Some clinicians have an “ingrained belief” that women, particularly those from an ethnic minority group, are exaggerating their symptoms, meaning conditions are left undiagnosed, said the inquiry by the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee. “Such medical misogyny and racism is unacceptable,” the inquiry report said.

The committee, which heard evidence from a range of witnesses, including medical organisations, ministers, and charities, identified a “clear lack of awareness and understanding of women’s reproductive health conditions” among GPs, particularly in younger women and girls.

The Labour MP Sarah Owen, the committee’s chair, said, “Women are finding their symptoms …