Why Some Women Put Off Seeing A Doctor
Most studies suggest that men are more likely to put off seeing a doctor than women. However, some studies have suggested that the opposite may be true.
While women tend to see a doctor more regularly than men, there is evidence to suggest that women should be booking more appointments as they are more likely to experience certain health problems. As a result, a lot of women are not getting health problems diagnosed and treated, causing them to become unnecessarily worse.
Is this something you are guilty of? And, if so, why have you put off seeing a doctor? Many of the motives of women are believed to be similar to men, however there are a few notable differences. This post explores some of the reasons why women don’t visit a doctor.
Lack of time
In one study, 23% of women admitted to putting off seeing a doctor simply because they do not have the time.
Women have to juggle many responsibilities including work, childcare and housework. While some women have male partners to share these responsibilities with, a lot of women are still being burdened with much of the childcare and housework. Single mothers can have it particularly tough – often having a lot less time to dedicate to themselves.
19% of women report not being able to take time off work to see a doctor, while 15% of women report that getting childcare was an obstacle. 9% of women meanwhile report transport issues being a problem.
What can women do to solve this problem? A way around this could be to take greater advantage of out of hour services and virtual services that do not require an in-person appointment. These services allow a consultation with a doctor to be more flexibly arranged around your schedule.
Of course, some appointments need to be in person and need to be done at certain times. Being able to make last minute arrangements to see a doctor requires having a good network around you and not being afraid to ask for help when you need it (such as asking someone to look after the kids or give you a lift).
Men also need to be encouraged to be more sympathetic to women’s needs. Some women feel that they can not ask an employer to take time off at the last minute or cannot ask their partner to look after the kids because their health is not seen as a priority. It’s important to remember that your health does matter and you cannot give in to other people’s selfishness.
Can’t afford it
The cost of treatment is sadly a big issue for many women. In fact, some studies suggest that it may be the biggest reason as to why women put off seeing a doctor, with a third of women postponing treatment due to the cost.
Working women in the US spend 18% more on healthcare costs than men – with many taking good advantage of health insurance schemes. This suggests that a lot of women are paying for the treatment they need. However, unemployed and uninsured women are often still postponing treatment – including not renewing prescriptions of medication, not seeking out fertility treatment and not getting screenings for conditions.
What can women do to tackle the rising cost of treatment? Firstly, if you can afford health insurance, make sure to take it out. Make sure to spend time shopping around for coverage and don’t just settle for the cheapest option – it is important that you get good use out of your coverage, and that the deductible is not too high or certain major health conditions are covered. Secondly, make sure to explore grants and government programs. This page lists several federal resources for women. There may be additional resources provided by your state.
Bad experiences with doctors/healthcare
It is believed that many women may be victims of ‘medical misogyny’. This refers to the issue of women not receiving the same quality of care as men due to one-sided medical research, lack of women’s healthcare facilities and a shortage of female doctors.
Steps are being taken to fix this problem. Countries around the world are pouring more money into women’s health and an increasing number of jobs in women’s health are opening up. However, many women are still facing issues such as an creased risk of side effects to medication – believed to be due to a lot of medication being predominantly tested on men. There are also cases of women being dismissed, misdiagnosed or abused by male doctors, which put some women off from seeking further treatment.
It is important to not be put off by bad experiences and to remember that there are many good quality health services out there. You are in your right to ask to see a particular doctor or get a second opinion. When it comes to medication, remember that there are often multiple prescription drug options and not all of them may display the same side effects.
Fear/embarrassment
Some women put off seeing a doctor because they are afraid or embarrassed to get treatment. 2.1% of the US population have a needle phobia, with most of these people being women. Many women also report feeling embarrassed about consulting a doctor for problems related to sexual health, bowel habits and bladder health (although men are thought to be a lot more shy when it comes to these problems).
Taking steps to overcome these fears is not easy, but you need to consider that not getting help could make any health problems you may have worse – making them a lot scarier. Besides, there are ways of working around these fears. There are sometimes alternatives to injections that you can take such as tablets. You can also request to have a female doctor if this makes you more comfortable (many women prefer to be seen by a female gynaecologist for example). All in all, it is important to express your fears or concerns so that they can be accommodated.
