There has been quite a lot of discussion currently regarding the increasingly recognised problem of medical research (very 'unscientifically') being predicated primarily on male bodies. This is quite a complex issue but as an example the 'problem' of female hormonal variations was considered by many past researchers as a problematic skewing factor in trials ...
Here are two links (which i hope are acceptable on this forum as both are very interesting - although unsure if the Australian Radio National podcast is available everywhere. The Marie Claire article is however excellent and will raise many eyebrows here I think - and is well worth reading (I wouldn't usually recommend magazine cf. medical journal articles - but this is very interesting:
Thank you for sharing the Marie Claire article in particular it is interesting, angry - making and accessible.
There is definitely age discrimination at work. I have noticed a huge falling off of medical interest since I passed child bearing age. Too often dismissed as neurotic or depressed with very real symptoms PMR being a case in point. There is definitely institutionalised sexism and ageism deeply embedded in our medical system.
Haven't accessed your other link in case it makes a noise. O H sleeping beside me. He may have a medical advantage over me but it is me that makes him go to the doctor at all and me researching his symptoms.
You are very welcome SheffieldJane and yes I also agree strongly about both the ageism & sexism - which needs to be constantly challenged. Just being taken 'seriously' can be a real challenge when attempting to negotiate medical systems - and with intersecting forms of often implicit (if unconscious) 'discrimination' we must make a point of standing up and advocating for ourselves to get the very best treatment we can.
Thank you for sharing these two links. I could certainly identify with the Marie Clare link as I'm sure many others too on this site can when we have experienced the rolling of the eyes and general dismissive attitude when explaining some of our symptoms. I wasn't able to fully download the second link- just sound no picture but that might be my iPad at the moment, which is playing up. Will have another go later.
Oh yes, I can relate to this. I was offered antidepressants to cure an overactive thyroid, thyroid eye disease and PMR. Why? Because I was female, post menopause, recently retired and kids leaving home.
OH resists going to the doc to the point of stupidity, perhaps that is why when they are forced to go they are listened to. Maybe we should start our visits by saying my husband says.......
Both articles very interesting, thanks. Particularly the reference to auto-immune system illnesses. Plus of course, most of us females have had the metaphorical pat on the head in days gone by!
Thanks again DL - and yes it seems the diseases women disproportionately suffer from are often the LEAST well researched & understood - but I am not surprised as these kinds of inequities between the sexes still - even in the 21st Century - highlight how far we have yet to go in all areas of life.
Roche made an approach for 10 patients with GCA to participate in how people with GCA lived and coped with high, long-term doses of pred. . This was prior to the Giacta trial and they needed patient input before the trial could take place.
Round that table from Roche side, were three women and the rest men.
On our side were 7 woman and 3 men. Geographically, they covered the UK except for NI.
The 10 people consisted of 8 women and 2 men. after all the statistics (such as they were then) showed a big incidence in women and a very low incidence in men and none of those men were single and running a household whereas the women were and in some cases carers and other holding down jobs and helping to look after grandchildren.
They made an error and approached the right woman first.
There were three more patients supplied by another woman, 3 women and 1 man.
i cannot thank you enough for these two links. very informative and helpful. At the age of eighty...i have learned a lot just on my own without the facts to back me up. ( or I should say mice ). But I have three daughters, who do not always take me seriously about this issue. Now....it is not just coming from me.
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Tapering Prednisone
Sleep Apnoea (the results are in)
Physician's Associates
