The wrong news had Elle believing at age 21 she’d never be able to have children of her own as she was told her symptoms were due to a STI at first
Identifying health issues can sometimes be a critical matter of life or death. Although anyone can face the risk of being misdiagnosed, research shows that this problem tends to affect women more significantly.
A survey by Higgs LLP has found 24% of women have experienced a misdiagnosis of a gynaecological condition, including PCOS, pregnancy, ovarian cysts, and period pain. Endometriosis emerged as the most frequently misdiagnosed condition, affecting nearly one in 10 women surveyed.
Elle Brown, who lives in the northwest of the UK, had a burst ovarian cyst misdiagnosed as an STI and infertility. She was heartbroken at the possibility of never being able to have children.
She said: “At only twenty-one, I felt immense shame, believing I had unknowingly contracted an STI. I blamed myself, convinced that my supposed carelessness had cost me my fertility.
“I had a follow-up appointment and explained to the doctor what I had been told, and he assured me that this was definitely not the case. I actually didn’t have an STI, and I certainly wasn’t infertile.
“While this news should have been a relief, it couldn’t stop the shame and fear I had already felt over the last two weeks. It became even worse when I learned that the nurse who had misdiagnosed me was not qualified to make such a diagnosis.”
She added: “She had been offering medical opinions beyond her expertise, which I felt were based on stigma rather than medical facts. I had not undergone a single STI test, but in my unwell and distressed state, I had no reason to doubt her.
“Although I submitted a complaint, I never pursued it further, feeling too ashamed. To top it all off, the male doctor said, “I’m surprised you even felt it [the cyst burst]. Most women don’t.
“After my experience, I definitely believe social stigmas deeply impact women’s experiences with healthcare professionals. The nurse’s misdiagnosis seemed to be a way to make me question my actions as a sexually active, single woman.”
Clare Langford, Medical Negligence Expert at Higgs LLP said: “The issue of misdiagnosis is not just a failing among medical professionals but a deeply concerning gendered problem that desperately requires reform. We must recognise that these misdiagnoses are a trend.
“They are not just mistakes but symptoms of a larger, systemic problem within the healthcare system where women’s symptoms are too often dismissed or misunderstood. The statistics and personal stories we have uncovered through our “Miss Diagnosed” campaign highlight the necessity for the healthcare system to implement change.
“Every patient, regardless of gender, has the right to receive accurate and compassionate care.”
