Medical misogyny and the rise in self diagnosis

“You’re probably just stressed.”

“That’s normal for your age.”

If you’re a woman and you’ve ever sought help for chronic pain, fatigue, or emotional distress, chances are you’ve heard some version of these phrases. Despite decades of advocacy, women’s symptoms are still too often dismissed or minimized by healthcare providers, and menstrual health is no exception.

Medical misogyny is all over the news at the moment, with celebrities like Vicky Pattison talking about her struggle with getting her PMDD diagnosis, and how some women are waiting decades to receive a diagnosis. Medical gaslighting is one reason why many women are increasingly turning to self-diagnosis to get the care and answers they deserve.

Let’s talk statistics

Studies show that women wait significantly longer than men for diagnoses of chronic conditions. For example, a diagnosis of endometriosis has an average delay of around 8 years. In emergency rooms, women wait 33% longer than men to receive pain medication (Chen, 2008).

A 2024 review in BMC Medicine confirmed that gender bias remains a common issue, with women more likely to have their symptoms minimized. Women's pain is often not taken as seriously as men's, leading to under-treatment and diagnostic delays.

Medical misogyny means that serious conditions are being missed, mismanaged, or left to worsen.

The psychological toll of being dismissed

Feeling dismissed by healthcare providers isn’t just frustrating, it can have serious psychological consequences. Research shows that medical gaslighting consistently leads to emotional distress, including feelings of shame, self-doubt, anxiety, and even trauma. These experiences often lead to lowered trust in medical professionals and avoiding future appointments altogether (Khan, 2024).

Why self-diagnosis is on the rise

In the face of medical dismissal, many women have turned to self-diagnosis - not out of preference, but out of necessity. When healthcare systems fail to listen, self-diagnosis becomes a tool for survival. It provides validation, a sense of agency, and a starting point for action.

Social media has also played a role. While not a diagnostic tool, it acts as a platform for collective knowledge. The increase of people sharing their lived experiences online has allowed women to recognize patterns in their own symptoms (Haltigan, 2023).

These digital spaces aren’t replacing doctors, rather that they’re filling a void left by the medical system.

How Nettle™ can help

We created Nettle™ precisely because women deserve better care for their periods. It's the first hormone-free, drug‑free, at‑home neurotechnology device designed specifically to alleviate menstrual pain and mood symptoms - whether or not you've been diagnosed by a doctor, yourself or not at all.

We understand that for many women, getting answers can take years. That’s why Nettle™ isn’t just a tool for symptom relief, but a step toward reclaiming agency over your body and your care. Because your experience is real, and your wellbeing shouldn’t have to wait.