I don’t usually share my views on feminism or the corruption in society, but sometimes, certain experiences need to be talked about. One of the most overlooked areas of health is women’s health, particularly for young adults. There’s a massive gap in proper information, care, and respect, leaving many young women feeling unheard and dismissed. This issue often gets worse when the professional meant to support them has no real understanding of their struggles, especially when it comes to men in gynecology.

Let me tell you about a girl who went to a male gynaecologist not too long ago. She hadn’t had her period for two years—a condition called amenorrhea—and she wanted answers. This wasn’t just about her reproductive health; it was part of a much bigger battle she’d been fighting with anorexia. She was already emotional before walking into that appointment, knowing that it could bring up all the pain she’d been through. But she needed help, guidance, and someone to connect the dots between her eating disorder and her missing periods.

Instead, she got the exact opposite. The male doctor didn’t take her concerns seriously at all. He barely listened to her story, and when she explained her situation, he just shrugged and said he didn’t know why she was there. No empathy. No understanding. As if this wasn’t a huge red flag for her health, as if her two years without a period didn’t matter at all.

When she asked about the impact this might have on her fertility—a question any woman in her position would naturally ask—he laughed. He literally laughed at her. Can you imagine how that must have felt? The fear of not being able to have children, brushed off with a laugh. She wanted to cry, but she held back. She knew that if she showed any emotion, he would’ve mocked her again, calling her dramatic or emotional, feeding into every tired stereotype about women.

It didn’t end there. He called her “silly” and “stupid” for worrying about her future and her health, making her feel smaller and more insecure than she already did. And his solution? He prescribed her the contraceptive pill, which he barely explained. As if that was going to fix everything. It only made her more emotional and feel out of control with her health and body. He won. He made her feel even more broken.

And another story. There was another girl who had been battling persistent stomach troubles and ongoing constipation. For weeks at a time, she felt uncomfortable and worried, wondering if something serious was going on. Desperate for answers, she decided to seek help and made an appointment with a male doctor. All she wanted was guidance, reassurance that her body wasn’t failing her.

When she expressed her concerns, she was met with condescension. The doctor listened, but instead of showing empathy, he called her “dramatic” and “emotional” when she cried, suggesting that her problems were likely just due to her menstrual cycle. She felt her heart sink; being dismissed like that only made her feel more frustrated and alone. She had had these issues for weeks, and the thought that it was just “normal” didn’t sit right with her. She needed answers, not judgments.

To make matters worse, he didn’t even bother to run any tests. Instead, he prescribed laxatives, which did nothing to alleviate her discomfort. Months passed, and the issues persisted. It was only after experiencing constant discomfort and feeling unheard that she decided to seek help again, this time from a female doctor.

During her appointment, she bravely recounted her previous experience. The female doctor listened attentively, acknowledging her concerns without any trace of judgment. After conducting some tests, the doctor finally provided the reassurance she so desperately needed: there was nothing seriously wrong. The issue was simply a lack of fibre in her diet, something she could easily address.

It was such a relief. All she had wanted was to know whether her symptoms were serious or not. The male doctor’s refusal to take her seriously had left her feeling vulnerable and dismissed. In contrast, the female doctor’s approach empowered her and provided clarity.

This experience highlights a critical issue in women’s healthcare: the importance of being heard and respected. No one should have to feel dramatic or emotional for seeking help, especially when it comes to their health. We deserve medical professionals who take our concerns seriously, who listen, and who provide the support we need to feel confident about our bodies.

The lack of awareness and the lack of care is what really gets me. Women, especially young women, deserve better. We deserve healthcare professionals who will listen to us, who understand the complex links between mental health, eating disorders, and reproductive health. We deserve to be taken seriously, not brushed aside or laughed at for expressing genuine concerns.

This isn’t just a one-off story. It happens far too often. And surprise, that first young woman I was talking about was actually my own personal experience. There is so little information out there for young women, and what little there is often gets lost in a sea of misinformation or is only addressed in the most basic, surface-level way. Society doesn’t give us the education or resources we need to properly understand our own bodies. And when we do seek help, it’s horrifying how often we’re met with indifference or even outright dismissal.

It’s time we start talking about this. It’s time to demand better care, better resources, and most importantly, better respect for women’s health. Our bodies and our concerns aren’t to be laughed at or dismissed. We deserve real answers and real support. Always.

Disclaimer: these are purely my own experiences and opinions. I am not saying that the issue is men, but there needs to be some research and examination in the field of medicine and more support for women about their health and bodies.