According to the researchers, women’s topics are still taboo at the doctor.Image ANP / Sabine Joosten
Ignorance about conditions that specifically affect women costs society billions of euros. Leading gynecologists write this in a new report.
Astrid Vollebregt, gynecologist at the Spaarne Gasthuis, who led the research together with Judith Huirne (professor of gynecology Amsterdam UMC), speaks of ‘forgotten and neglected’ conditions. In addition to pelvic problems and menstrual pain, she also talks about urine loss or menopausal complaints, for example. “These are complaints that all women encounter. It may not kill them, but it does have an incredible impact on the quality of life.”
According to the researchers, the topics are still taboo. They attribute this to a lack of knowledge, both among women and healthcare providers. “For example, women go to the doctor because of abdominal pain, but it is not recognized that it is a woman-specific condition. As a result, women do not receive the right help.”
Men-oriented care
The report is part of the project ‘Social acceptance of female-specific conditions’, an initiative of, among others, the Dutch Association for Obstetrics and Gynecology. Vollebregt, Huirne and other gynecologists knew that healthcare is often aimed at men, which means that female-specific conditions are overlooked. “But we were shocked by the magnitude of the social costs.”
According to the research, gynecological complaints prevent women from properly performing their school or work activities. That hinders their career. In addition, many women work in healthcare or education, where there are many shortages. Society would therefore benefit from more attention to so-called female-specific conditions, according to Vollebregt. “A lot of money goes to malignancies and that is right. But these conditions are also disruptive. For both women and society.”
Billions in costs
According to the researchers, the Netherlands incurs billions in healthcare costs and absenteeism costs every year. These costs could be prevented if healthcare providers and women had more knowledge. We also need to get rid of the taboo. Vollebregt: “It is not easy to say that you called in sick because of urine loss or menstrual pain.”
Gynaecologists, doctors and patient organizations, among others, are united in calling for structural financing and the development of a national health plan for women’s care. Ernst Kuipers, Minister of Health, received the report. “It is important that we also draw up a social agenda to put this topic on the map. Politics plays a major role in this,” says gynecologist Judith Huirne, who has been advocating for more research into female-specific conditions for fifteen years. “It is a serious problem that requires a serious solution.”
Also read
2023-12-12 19:23:09
#Ignorance #forgotten #conditions #menstrual #pain #costs #Netherlands #billions
