Breaking the Silence: Women's Health Month and the Impact of Sexism
May is Women's Health Month and is a crucial time to highlight the impact of sexism on women's well being. Sexism which involves prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination of women based on their gender affects various aspects of women's lives such as financial stress, limited resources to health care, and societal pressures on appearance and body image. Researches shows that women who experience sexism are more likely to suffer from Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, facing barriers to accessing quality healthcare and higher rates of preventable diseases. By raising awareness and advocating for gender equality in healthcare we can address and combating the systematic barriers that prevent women from receiving the care they deserves, creating a healthier and equitable world for all women.
This Women's Health Month lets not only focus on the physical health but also the barriers that often prevent women from getting them the quality health care and work on building a world where sexism would be a past tense!
Feel free to answer the question below-:
Q. What are some experiences you had faced navigating the healthcare system as a woman and how do you feel these experiences have been influenced by societal attitudes towards women?
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sources-:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/effects-of-gender-discriminationhttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/gender-bias-in-healthcarehttps://www.draliabadi.com/womens-health-blog/gender-bias-in-healthcare/ https://www.jstor.org/stable/3346531https://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2019/opinion/everyday-sexism-and-womens-mental-health
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@MindfulJourney22
Hi, Journey,
What are some experiences you had faced navigating the healthcare system as a woman and how do you feel these experiences have been influenced by societal attitudes towards women? I've been taken to the hospital so many times due to excruciating cramps. And do you know what they do for me in various hospitals? They stick me on a gurney and leave me in a hallway. They do absolutely nothing.
@MindfulJourney22 thanks for this important post ❤❤ spreading awareness will help alot, so thanks ❤
trigger warning - disabilities
healthcare I've actually been very blessed with, my doctors and nurses do a great job of looking after me well ❤ the only issue I would like to maybe be different is, I'm half paralysed and rely on my carers to help with everyday tasks, two of them is dressing and showering, I have both female and make carers. It's embarrassing as it is, but with men it's very very embarrassing, I'm in no position to complain or change this situation. But my carers are really gentle kind people, who always try to make me at ease, I'm very lucky to have them
I know how that feels. I had a colonoscopy done this past Monday, and my doctor was a male. I was very nervous at first, but I tried to tell myself that my doctor is a professional in his field, and I am just another one of his many female patients going through the same procedure. I think I felt more nervous because this doctor/surgeon is someone I see whenever I work (I work in the Operating Room, so when I have shifts, I might see him once a week). The only thing I can suggest is that, as patients, it may help to think that the professional care we're receiving from male nurses/doctors, that we are the one in many other females that have been in their care. To them, we are just a patient, not exactly seen as female or male. To them, we are just a person who is in need of healthcare treatment. That we should trust their professionalism that we will be treated fairly.
@Tinywhisper11
@Jaeteuk thanks jae ❤ I hope everything went well with your colonoscopy ❤❤ how is work going? It's been a while since we chatted. I have faith in all my carers, and they do whatever they can to make me comfortable, I'm very lucky and very grateful, but the embarrassing feeling is always there. Gives you a giant tiny hug ❤
My Colonoscopy went well. My doctor gave me a thumbs up after my procedure. I was quite nervous as I sat in the waiting area, even more nervous after getting changed and have the IV ready. I was dropped off by my parents, arriving an hour earlier as needed. So, sitting in the waiting area by myself, being my first time, it was really getting on my nerves. But, I somehow felt more reassured after seeing my doctor in the room, as he explained what he will be doing. I seemed to be awake during the procedure, as I watched the video screen of what my colon looks like. One of the scope nurses also told me that she requested from the doctor to use a Paediatric scope on me because I'm small. She says it will be less uncomfortable. I still kind felt him push the scope and move it, as he had his left hand on my body as he used the controls, so I could feel the pressure. But I trust him, so I think after the sedation went into the IV, I felt more relaxed.
My work is still the same, I only have one week of work this month. So, I'm home trying to work on my own business. Need to make use of time. For some reason though, it seems that I don't have as many shifts this summer compared to the past few years. Which means I get a bit of a break. I used to work non-stop from June to end of September, with only 3 days off. This year though, I seem to have a few weeks off. Which is nice, I can do my own things, or even arrange to meet other people.
Thank you for the hugs. Much needed. 💖
@Tinywhisper11
@Jaeteuk well having more time of work is not a bad thing ❤ I know you work very hard, and with the job you do, well your an earth angel ❤❤ starting your own buisness, that sounds exciting, good luck with that. Would love to hear how you get on ❤I'm glad it went well ❤ you were very brave ❤❤hugs you tightly ❤
Honestly, I like this year's summer schedule. With more time off, I can actually arrange to do other things. I sometimes feel that my colleagues who take vacation time in the summer are all selfish people. They only care about themselves taking time off in the summer, whether they end up staying at home or going away for trips. With 5 of them, taking turns consecutively, weeks after weeks. Leaving me working all through the summer. Monday to Friday, I'm often too tired to do anything over the weekends, but stay home and rest. Just like how in December, when they take turns taking December off, spending time with family for Christmas and New Year's Eve, I'm working in place of their absence. Yes, I don't have my own family, just parents and brother, but that doesn't mean I want time off to spend with them like they do. So this year, with another staff of the same status as I, my Manager gave me a list of blocks of work for the rest of the year. I purposely chose blocks off. One in August, the same week of my dad's birthday, and the week that overlaps Christmas. Knowing there's another person who can work if I don't. I can finally have some time off.
I'm excited in relaunching our business too! Hope it succeeds.
@Tinywhisper11
@Jaeteuk that's great news. I'm glad you get time off ❤ and yeah that's not fair, should probably be rules where everyone gets a chance to have same amount of time of in the summer and xmas. They should make it fair
They feel it's okay, because technically, my purpose of work is to cover their vacation. But it would be nice if they were more mindful and considerate of me, to allow some time off during those times too.
@Tinywhisper11
@Tinywhisper11. Do they know how you feel about this at the home?
@adventurousBranch3786 yeah I think so! I'm sure the fear shows on my face, and at the start for well over a year I would cry having to shower😥 but I am very lucky to be where I am 🙂❤
@Tinywhisper11 I’m sorry to hear that you have to go through this (even thought it’s a good place). I used to worked in a hospital. Sometimes female patients would request a female nurse for certain things. We would do that where I worked but I’m not sure how it is in other places.
@MindfulJourney22 Thank you for sharing this important post, it's crucial to raise awareness about the impact of sexism on women's health and overall well-being.
Working in Healthcare myself, I haven't really seen much differences when it comes to patients, female or male, or the type of treatment they need seems to be well-balanced.
The only thing I'll say is, (not sure if this is considered as discrimination though), when I went to the Emergency this February, one of the doctors came to me, saying that when he saw my name (Chinese last name), he was looking for a short Asian woman in the waiting area. He seemed surprised when he saw me, as I was still in work scrubs, and I'm not considered short, although I'm only 5'3". (I'm one of the tallest in both sides of the family, compared to my fellow female cousins).
@MindfulJourney22
