Diagnosis Female : How Medical Bias Endangers Women's Health

Being a woman in the health care system is inherently hazardous to your health. Women often experience bias, misdiagnosis, and sheer ignorance of their symptoms and health issues. This work reveals the bias that can kill women and how to recognize and prevent it from having health consequences. Tips and tools guide women to the best care.

Why do so many women have trouble getting effective and compassionate medical treatment? Diagnosis Female examines this widespread problem, with a focus on misdiagnosis and gender bias. The book zeroes in on specialties where women are more likely to encounter particularly troubling roadblocks: cardiology, neurology, chronic diseases and obstetrics/gynecology. All too often, when doctors can’t figure out what is going on, women receive a diagnosis from the “all in her head” column -- this pattern is even worse for women of color, who face significant challenges in medical settings. Throughout the work, Emily Dwass profiles women whose stories illustrate how the medical community often dismisses their claims, disregards their symptoms, or simply doesn’t know that male symptoms and female symptoms can vary from issues to issue. Time and again, women state that their voices did not matter, or worse, their concerns were greeted with skepticism or simply ignored when they sought help. The results can be devastating and long-lasting. Examining the bias inherent in the system, Dwass offers measures women can take to protect their health and receive better care. She offers advice, too, for the medical community in addressing the problem, so that outcomes can improve all around. If you’re a woman, and you seek medical care, this book is a must-read. Your health depends upon it.