Thread by @Elsie_Odhiambo

I have so much to say about gender bias in healthcare #Endometriosis

DYK that if I collapsed and fainted in town that I will not get basic CPR from a bystander than if a man fainted. Okay - a study says it is because people are nervous about handling my chest area.

Also if I got into the ER in pain a man is likely to get attention faster than me while I'll be sedated and the pain not treated or addressed.

If I put out a request to raise funds for an illness or a condition the response rate is slower than if a man were to put out an appeal...this has been my observation.

If I go to the doctor in genuine pain I am likely to be making it up or seeking attention. My boss is going to call me back to work for 'pretending' to be sick.

As medieval as this sounds women who go to seek medical attention for pain management are either hysterical or imagining hence as a woman forced to question myself.

When you would think we live in the 21st century...that we are exposed and educated gender bias in healthcare is real.

Fertility is a female problem and because of the fact we carry the wombs it is the woman's fault...struggling to conceive - the woman is the target "try this or that or the other" But sadly, she will be alone when going to seek help. Her ovaries are fine..but!

Men are socialised to believe that there can never be anything wrong with their jewels when if comes to fertility. it is a woman's problem.

But let me come back to pain... #Endometriosis

A condition that affects millions (176million) women around the world yet there is little investment being put behind research. #Endometriosis

It is a taboo TODAY for me to talk about period pain and it is even considered brave for me and many other women talking about our journeys.

It is wrong for me to question the doctor's procedures and the effects of the hormone therapy that I have undergone for years. It is wrong for me to even suggest that I have a chronic condition #Endometriosis

Many women who’s available options for managing this condition are limited are directed to either get pregnant or rely on pain medication that is not a guarantee for cure or make the condition even worse.

The insurance companies dismiss women who’ve been diagnosed with #Endometriosis as chronic and recurring and hence no one wants to touch that case because how expensive diagnosis and management can be.

The journey is lonely and for sure another woman who doesn’t know this pain will make her feel like she has imagined the pain. No wonder the fear of stigmatization..it’s like HIV and AIDS in the 80s.

Few doctors want to handle these cases.

This thread can be long because of three reasons: 1) Endometriosis is a complex disease 2) Endometriosis is not well understood 3) the burden of the condition is not only physical but mental, financial etc not only on the patient but those around her.

We are our own champions and no matter how loud we speak (globally as well) we are not making progress as fast as we like.

BTW - NHIF covers Diabetes & Cancer

Why isn’t #Endometriosis a public health issue as 1 in 10 women continues suffering the debilitating pain of #Endometriosis

PS: That number of women is enough to form the 8th largest country in the world.

I have been asked questions about why we aren’t getting support or coverage or medical intervention like a cancer or diabetic patient and unfortunately I don’t have an answer #Endometriosis

I have tears for the women who are misunderstood in the workplace, my heart bleeds for the many marriages that are suffering but more I wail for the women who are sidelined, who’s pain is invalidated and who’s worth has diminished to nothing...PAIN IS HER NORMAL.

I’m praying for myself and millions of women who’s fertility has been impacted by the disease and the different procedures...did we ask for this or sign up somewhere...no! Is it our fault therefore for being sidelined because we seek medical intervention?

I’ve been asked why our campaigns never trend or make the news...but it’s not like we’ve not asked for help...but #Endometriosis is just not that serious...it's not enough to draw national attention...1 in 10 is already enough!

When registering the @EndoFoundKE I had to passionately make an appeal to a woman about the cause; to her there’s nothing that should warrant a Foundation to raise awareness to be registered, granted permission to do the work & influence policy makers.

What are you talking about period pain? Is the question I get asked...My friends won’t participate in the campaign and yet we claim equal support for women and men in matters health...!

Just ask yourself whether you have at any one point not taken a woman in pain seriously.

Gender bias in healthcare you ask...?

Emma Cox, the chief executive of the charity @EndometriosisUK, says that unless women with the disease are trying to conceive, they are often overlooked by doctors. “The attitude is that women are there to have babies,” she says.

Okay - now I am done. I'll be back tomorrow.