News
November 28, 2025
As an Olympian, mum and doctor, I know our health system fails women
I’ve had patients who’ve been told, and I’ve been told, that pain is “just part of being a woman”.
**Olympian, Doctor, and Mother Speaks Out: "Our Health System Fails Women"**
A powerful message is resonating within the medical community and beyond, delivered by an individual uniquely positioned to understand its complexities: an Olympian, a practicing doctor, and a mother. This multi-faceted perspective highlights a critical issue: the systemic failures within our healthcare system that disproportionately affect women.
The core of the problem, as she articulates, lies in the dismissal and normalization of women's pain. The heartbreaking phrase, "it's just part of being a woman," is not merely a cliché, but a lived reality for countless individuals navigating the healthcare landscape. This sentiment, she says, has been echoed both to her as a patient and witnessed by her in the experiences of her own patients.
Imagine the frustration and despair of seeking medical help, only to be met with the casual dismissal of genuine pain. This dismissive attitude can lead to delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and ultimately, a diminished quality of life for women struggling with a range of conditions. The consequences can be far-reaching, impacting not only physical health but also mental well-being, professional lives, and personal relationships.
This isn't simply about isolated incidents of insensitive doctors. It points to a deeper, more pervasive issue: a lack of understanding and prioritization of women's health concerns within the medical establishment. Research into women's health conditions often lags behind that of men, and medical training may not adequately address the unique physiological and hormonal differences that contribute to women's pain and illness.
The call to action is clear. We need to move beyond the outdated and harmful notion that pain is "just part of being a woman." This requires a multi-pronged approach, including increased funding for women's health research, improved medical education that emphasizes gender-specific care, and a cultural shift that empowers women to advocate for their own health needs and demands that their concerns be taken seriously. The voices of those who have experienced this systemic failure firsthand, like this Olympian, doctor, and mother, are crucial in driving this much-needed change. Their experiences serve as a stark reminder that we must do better to ensure that all women receive the compassionate and comprehensive healthcare they deserve.
A powerful message is resonating within the medical community and beyond, delivered by an individual uniquely positioned to understand its complexities: an Olympian, a practicing doctor, and a mother. This multi-faceted perspective highlights a critical issue: the systemic failures within our healthcare system that disproportionately affect women.
The core of the problem, as she articulates, lies in the dismissal and normalization of women's pain. The heartbreaking phrase, "it's just part of being a woman," is not merely a cliché, but a lived reality for countless individuals navigating the healthcare landscape. This sentiment, she says, has been echoed both to her as a patient and witnessed by her in the experiences of her own patients.
Imagine the frustration and despair of seeking medical help, only to be met with the casual dismissal of genuine pain. This dismissive attitude can lead to delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and ultimately, a diminished quality of life for women struggling with a range of conditions. The consequences can be far-reaching, impacting not only physical health but also mental well-being, professional lives, and personal relationships.
This isn't simply about isolated incidents of insensitive doctors. It points to a deeper, more pervasive issue: a lack of understanding and prioritization of women's health concerns within the medical establishment. Research into women's health conditions often lags behind that of men, and medical training may not adequately address the unique physiological and hormonal differences that contribute to women's pain and illness.
The call to action is clear. We need to move beyond the outdated and harmful notion that pain is "just part of being a woman." This requires a multi-pronged approach, including increased funding for women's health research, improved medical education that emphasizes gender-specific care, and a cultural shift that empowers women to advocate for their own health needs and demands that their concerns be taken seriously. The voices of those who have experienced this systemic failure firsthand, like this Olympian, doctor, and mother, are crucial in driving this much-needed change. Their experiences serve as a stark reminder that we must do better to ensure that all women receive the compassionate and comprehensive healthcare they deserve.
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