Ishita Roy

"Put Up with the Pain": UK Report Exposes Gaps in Women's Reproductive Healthcare

Misogyny is defined as feelings of hatred towards women, or the belief that men are better than women. Unfortunately, this attitude is also reflected in medicine. Women are often told to "put up" with the pain. Members of Westminster's Women and Equalities Committee in their report noted that women with gynaecological or reproductive issues are not provided the support they need. Women with conditions such as heavy periods, <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/endometriosis">endometriosis</a></span> and adenomyosis are dismissed for asking for help. Chairwoman of the committee Sarah Owen also said that women were being "fobbed off" and told that this would not have happened "if it was a man," reported BBC.

Many women also took to their social media platforms to talk about the pain they have been asked to put up with. Many of these cases are of those women who have had their <span>IUD</span>s inserted. Dr Kristina Dervaitis, a gynaecologist based in Canada writes that some women experience "an exceptionally painful IUD insertion experience, it is important for the healthcare practitioner who does the insertion to talk to the patient before insertion and to tell them the options, including sedation or anaesthesia. "The experience of the health care practitioner doing the insertion can make a big difference as to the overall discomfort of the procedure," she writes.

Another UK-based consultant gynaecologist Dr Ola Conlon writes that "it is unacceptable for anyone to feel dismissed or ensured unnecessary pain during a medical procedure." Talking about IUD insertion, she says, that many women feel pain during IUD insertion and some of the women do not even consent.

She says that while for some women it is actually "not that bad", but those who shared their "horror" stories of having IUD inserted, are also true.

<h4>What should be considered instead?</h4>

How would you know if you will experience pain during IUD insertion? Dr Conlon says that if you have never had any children or you have had a previous cesarean section, then "it will be potentially a lot more difficult to get [IUD] inside the womb." She also shares that if the womb is tilted, it makes it much more difficult for women to have the IUD inserted. These are some of the factors that the healthcare professional must consider before inserting an IUD.

However, most of the time, these situations are not considered, as also mentioned in the committee's report. In fact, the report mentions that diagnosis and treatments for women's <span>reproductive health</span> conditions can take years. The report also found a "clear lack of awareness and understanding of women's reproductive health conditions among primary healthcare practitioners". Citing stigma, and lack of education, the report called on the National Health Service (NHS) to urgently implement a training programme" to improve the experience of women and girls accessing diagnosis and treatment for gynaecological conditions.

Talking about <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/pcos">PCOS</a></span>, and weight shaming, Dr Sonam Simpatwar, a reproductive medicine specialist, based in Mumbai, says, "PCOS already carries mental and emotional burdens, and weight shaming only exacerbates feelings of isolation." Thus a <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/the-right-approach-to-manage-endometriosis-article-151046267" data-type="tilCustomLink">supportive doctor-patient relationship </a>can transform the approach to managing PCOS, endometriosis or any other reproductive health-related issues in women.

Even <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/explained-the-history-of-birth-control-pills-and-other-alternative-article-151035196" data-type="tilCustomLink">historically </a>too, women have been neglected. In the past too, whether it is birth control or IUD, women were put through experiments without their consent. Oftentimes, these experiments led to lethal results or caused women to carry their lives with chronic health conditions. This is because there is a continued notion that women can tolerate pain. In fact, James Marion Sims, who is considered the "father of modern gynaecology", conducted his research on enslaved Black women without anaesthesia.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

put-up-with-the-pain-uk-report-exposes-gaps-in-womens-reproductive-healthcare

reproductive health

womens health

endometriosis

womens health UK

painful periods

sexual health

PCOS

pregnancy

women health

manosphere-is-a-public-health-concern-lancet-report-says-online-misogyny-fuels-violence-against-women

Manosphere Is A Public Health Concern: Lancet Report Says Online Misogyny Harms Men's Mental Health

hot-flashes-to-night-sweats-leading-us-ob-gyn-group-updates-menopause-treatment-guidance-after-12-years

Hot Flashes To Night Sweats: Leading US OB-GYN Group Updates Menopause Treatment Guidance After 12 Years

loud-snoring-is-not-always-harmless-sleep-apnoea-can-become-a-stroke-risk-concern

Loud Snoring Is Not Always Harmless: Sleep Apnoea can Become a Stroke-Risk Concern

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

Misogyny is defined as feelings of hatred towards women, or the belief that men are better than women. Unfortunately, this attitude is also reflected in medicine. Women are often told to "put up" with the pain. Members of Westminster's Women and Equalities Committee in their report noted that women with gynaecological or reproductive issues are not provided the support they need. Women with conditions such as heavy periods, endometriosis and adenomyosis are dismissed for asking for help. Chairwoman of the committee Sarah Owen also said that women were being "fobbed off" and told that this would not have happened "if it was a man," reported BBC.The Narratives Of PainMany women also took to their social media platforms to talk about the pain they have been asked to put up with. Many of these cases are of those women who have had their IUDs inserted. Dr Kristina Dervaitis, a gynaecologist based in Canada writes that some women experience "an exceptionally painful IUD insertion experience, it is important for the healthcare practitioner who does the insertion to talk to the patient before insertion and to tell them the options, including sedation or anaesthesia. "The experience of the health care practitioner doing the insertion can make a big difference as to the overall discomfort of the procedure," she writes.Another UK-based consultant gynaecologist Dr Ola Conlon writes that "it is unacceptable for anyone to feel dismissed or ensured unnecessary pain during a medical procedure." Talking about IUD insertion, she says, that many women feel pain during IUD insertion and some of the women do not even consent.She says that while for some women it is actually "not that bad", but those who shared their "horror" stories of having IUD inserted, are also true.What should be considered instead?How would you know if you will experience pain during IUD insertion? Dr Conlon says that if you have never had any children or you have had a previous cesarean section, then "it will be potentially a lot more difficult to get [IUD] inside the womb." She also shares that if the womb is tilted, it makes it much more difficult for women to have the IUD inserted. These are some of the factors that the healthcare professional must consider before inserting an IUD.However, most of the time, these situations are not considered, as also mentioned in the committee's report. In fact, the report mentions that diagnosis and treatments for women's reproductive health conditions can take years. The report also found a "clear lack of awareness and understanding of women's reproductive health conditions among primary healthcare practitioners". Citing stigma, and lack of education, the report called on the National Health Service (NHS) to urgently implement a training programme" to improve the experience of women and girls accessing diagnosis and treatment for gynaecological conditions.Talking about PCOS, and weight shaming, Dr Sonam Simpatwar, a reproductive medicine specialist, based in Mumbai, says, "PCOS already carries mental and emotional burdens, and weight shaming only exacerbates feelings of isolation." Thus a supportive doctor-patient relationship can transform the approach to managing PCOS, endometriosis or any other reproductive health-related issues in women.The past reflects the presentEven historically too, women have been neglected. In the past too, whether it is birth control or IUD, women were put through experiments without their consent. Oftentimes, these experiments led to lethal results or caused women to carry their lives with chronic health conditions. This is because there is a continued notion that women can tolerate pain. In fact, James Marion Sims, who is considered the "father of modern gynaecology", conducted his research on enslaved Black women without anaesthesia.

'Put Up with the Pain': UK Report Exposes Gaps in Women's Reproductive Healthcare

"put up with the pain": uk report exposes gaps in women's reproductive healthcare

About Us

Contact Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Company

Health and Me is a premium website with content written and curated to function as a handbook for all Health concerns.

'Put Up with the Pain': UK Report Exposes Gaps in Women's Reproductive Healthcare

AI-Created Virus Injected Into A Human For The First Time To Fight Antibiotic Resistance

Nearly 1 in 7 American Children Had an ADHD Diagnosis in 2025: US CDC

World's First Patient Receives Pioneering Stem Cell Treatment For Parkinson's In Japan

Health Conditions A-Z

Manosphere Is A Public Health Concern: Lancet Report Says Online Misogyny Harms Men's Mental Health

Hot Flashes To Night Sweats: Leading US OB-GYN Group Updates Menopause Treatment Guidance After 12 Years

Loud Snoring Is Not Always Harmless: Sleep Apnoea can Become a Stroke-Risk Concern