Please note that I am not advising you to avoid or ignore doctors. I can’t speak for everyone, but my own experience of doctors in the UK was a complete waste of time. Prior to my thyroid diagnosis, I had many years of problems and changed locations and doctors, but not a single one of them ever suggested checking my thyroid levels. I complained about depression, insomnia and weight gain, all of which should have suggested a thyroid issue, which is common in women after their thirties.
I found out I had low thyroid function when someone who had read my complaints on an online discussion forum suggested I have my thyroid checked, as I was showing symptoms of hypothyroidism. The same thing happened with other issues, such as histamine. Doctors have absolutely no clue about histamine, food intolerances or IBS. Yes, doctors can confirm facts with blood test results, but blood tests are highly unreliable at detecting allergies unless they are serious, like anaphylaxis. Skin tests usually have to be paid for at a private doctor’s as they are not usually accessible in the UK. Of course, medication can help, but you have to do proper research before taking it to consider whether the side effects outweigh the benefits. Doctors are corrupted by the pharmaceutical industry, which is why they eagerly prescribe medication for everything instead of educating patients about alternative, and often better, ways.
Doctors also fail to understand women’s health issues such as hormones, PMS or PMDD, and their correlation to the entire endocrine and hormonal system. Many doctors think PMDD is a normal part of ‘getting old’. Do you have a hormone imbalance? You’re just getting old. Do you have depression or fatigue? You’re getting old – here are some contraceptive pills loaded with extra hormones or antidepressants. Rather than investigating the root cause or offering advice on lifestyle changes or self-care, they just prescribe medication. I once visited a male doctor in his thirties who was surprised that I still had a regular period. We know that some women are fertile even in their 50s these days.

In a consumer-driven society and medical system, there is often an expectation of quick fixes, leading to the overprescription of medication. Doctors relying on pharmaceutical solutions instead of prioritising lifestyle changes or exploring alternative treatments.

So either he attended an ancient medical school or he didn’t pay much attention to women’s reproductive health.
The government seems to undervalue women’s health as well, as there is little scientific research into women’s health. Hormone replacement therapy and blood testing for hormones isn’t accessible to patients, so they have to visit private doctors.
Many women then find support online from each other and learn about the latest medical science statistics and holistic reading recommendations, which, when combined with visiting doctors, is a good way to manage our health without relying on them alone. Just be mindful that our bodies are unique, with different complex genes, and what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another.

What was your experience of seeking help from doctors for women’s health issues in your country?