Indian Women On Twitter Are Calling Out Gynaecologists For Diagnosing Them With “Unmarriedness” Instead Of Treating Their PCOS
Indian women share a very complicated relationship with their gynaecologists, especially unmarried women. I remember back when I was unmarried, going to a gynaecologist would make me cringe, not because he would take a look at my vajajay but more because he would ask me if I’m “active” (he meant sexually active) and if I said yes, it would be met with some judgement and it’s not like we can lie to a doctor, can we now? But that wasn’t all. I remember I would have severe menstrual cramps, to the point that it would disable me for a few days and instead of actually doing something about it, the gynaecologist would simply say that it would get better after marriage and this was back when I was barely 13 years old and had just got my periods. And for years, I continued to suffer from these period cramps and every gynaecologist would say the same thing until one doctor finally found the real reason and treated it. But this isn’t anything new for us women. Being unmarried itself seems to be a problem with Indian gynaecologists. Recently, a Twitter user pointed out how gynaecologists just diagnose unmarried women with “unmarriedness” and it’s relatable AF.
Taking to Twitter, a woman pointed out that gynaecologists look at an unmarried woman in India and simply diagnose her with “unmarriedness” as a medical condition. She went on to add that every time she tells her doctor about her PCOD and other symptoms, they simply tell her that it will all get resolved after marriage.
gynaecologists look at an unmarried woman in India and diagnose her with “unmarriedness” as a medical condition. no seriously, I tell doctors about my PCOD (and other symptoms) and they will tell “this will get solved after marriage 😊” with no hint of irony.
— aa khushi se khudkhushi karle (@sadelokeshi) June 29, 2022
I mean, sure, sex may solve a lot of our problems but one doesn’t need to be married for it. Plus c’mon, when has marriage ever resolved a real problem, let alone a medical condition! But it was shocking to see soo many women relate to the tweet. Netizens on the microblogging platform went on to share their own similar experiences where doctors told them that marriage and childbirth would resolve their medical condition. As if it’s a miracle drug or something!
I know this probably won't help but the discourse on this the last few days makes me want to produce flyers women can take with them to the doctor showing all the empirical evidence that marriage is actually a big risk for women, shortens their lives and degrades health…
— Michael Snook (@michaelsnook) June 30, 2022
At 23, two gynaecs told my parents they should get me married soon or I'll have difficulty conceiving. 😂😂 At 33 (still unmarried and child-free) I learned from a very nice gynaec that my PCOS was misdiagnosed. 🤷♀️
— Ankita (@OddGoanOut) June 30, 2022
I fail to understand why this doctor was speaking to the parents of the patient…whatever happened to doctor-patient confidentiality.
Omg! Yes! I've always had debilitating cramps on my period and I still don't know what causes them. An ObGYN in India simply told me that my periods will be "normal" once I have kids.
— Anusha (@anusharajan_) June 29, 2022
So, I should suffer the pain of childbirth to get rid of the pain of menstrual cramps?
It's honestly maddening but unsurprising to hear about how most of our health professionals are uncaring, sexist and disrespectful. What's the point of a medical degree if you cannot have the smallest ounce of respect for your patient.
— Aditya B (@psilopogon) June 29, 2022
Oh well, we’re so used to sexism. Ab aur kya hi bolen!
Everyone knows that signing a contract bindig you to another human being will definitely cure PCOS
— Pyromella (@pyromella360) June 29, 2022
What better solution than adopting a man!
You should ask for refund …
— Basanti (@Basantipara) June 29, 2022
The best idea ever.
Ah the number of times I have been asked this. Another doc asked me when did I last have 'contact'. Took me 10 min to realise she meant sex and not Aliens. https://t.co/UrzJZZOHzf
— Rehna (@Rehnak) June 30, 2022
CONTACT…
https://twitter.com/sanjshiz/status/1542353070301949953?s=20&t=FDB7HCLjyWExcsVq0hWnsQ
Also Read: Twitter Thread Reveals The Shocking Practice Of Slapping Women In Labour. What Is Happening?
Doctor’s version of Shaadi kar lo beta
parchi pe mangalsutra aur sindoor likh ke de do Paisa le lo majjani life
seriously tho can doctors stop fuckin asking if I am 'married' and that I need to fix weight kyunki 'marriage' me problem ayegi arey jo abhi problem aa rahi hai uska kya lodu https://t.co/aBovLv5LSr
— k (@Ms_Shipwreck) June 30, 2022
Isn’t it easier to just write a prescription for marriage? Why give us meds jab shaadi is the solution?
I have PCOD since 9th grade, and gynaecologists have only ever focused on my capability to have a child once I am married. Nothing else. https://t.co/4jEYOQBQbQ
— ana (Taylor's Version) (@dukhhdardd) June 30, 2022
Wow!
i have stage 4 endo and it was misdiagnosed as pcos for YEARS it only was diagnosed when they put me in 4th surgery and saw endo all over my ovaries, abdomen my pelvic area. EVERYWHERE. those people literally owe me my whole life back. https://t.co/GHSE1ZdTMj
— N (@samosaapav) June 29, 2022
A refund and compensation too.
Oh I have heard this numerous times! I was diagnosed with PCOD at the age of 20! Since then all I have heard from my gynacs…get married as soon as you can, a baby will solve the issue! I got married at 32, no children, life style changes have almost cured me! https://t.co/j1wmYizjHX
— Arunima 🤟🥂 (@arunima_3_5) June 29, 2022
Guess, the doctors need a degree change.
I'm horrified at seeing so many tweets like this from India. Would be grounds for medical malpractice suit in some countries. Obviously marriage isn't going to solve a gynecological problem! It may give you some new ones. https://t.co/6zzCyGlQRu
— Sonia Sikka (@SoniaSikka4) June 29, 2022
TBH, I agree. A doctor suggesting marriage as a treatment for a medical condition could be liable for a malpractice suit in most countries but not in India because we believe that passing judgements and giving unsolicited life advice is our birthright. But IMHO, if you can’t write it on your prescript receipt and the medical record, don’t say it either. Also, can we please normalise doctors not knowing something and being unable to diagnose a patient and RECOMMENDING them to someone else instead of giving this kinda advice?