Autoimmunity in Women: The Delayed Diagnosis Problem

Are you a woman facing unexplained symptoms that no one takes seriously?

Does it feel like you’re constantly being dismissed, with doctors attributing your symptoms to anxiety or depression?

Have you struggled to get a clear diagnosis for what you suspect is an autoimmune condition?

If so, you’re not alone. Many women face delayed diagnoses when it comes to autoimmunity—a frustrating and often discouraging reality. But why does this happen, and what steps can you take to get the care you deserve?

As an autoimmune specialist for women, for over 20 years, I’ve worked to help women uncover the true cause of their symptoms through comprehensive, compassionate care.

In this blog, I’ll delve into the barriers women often face when seeking care for autoimmune conditions and, more importantly, offer guidance on how to overcome them and find the support you need. It may feel daunting, but the right care is out there!

If you’re tired of feeling dismissed, frustrated, and alone in your struggle with autoimmune disease, this blog is for you. Together, let’s increase awareness, education, and advocacy for women’s health.

Women’s Health and the Consequences of Delayed Diagnosis

Autoimmune conditions can be challenging to diagnose due to a complex array of symptoms that range in severity and affect different body parts. This diagnostic challenge often leads to significant delays—some women go years before receiving a proper diagnosis. During this time, they endure unexplained symptoms (and often the anxiety that accompanies them) for far too long.

In some cases, these delays can result in lasting damage to the body. So, what’s standing in the way of proper care?

Barriers Women Face in Accessing Autoimmune Care

For many women, accessing quality healthcare is complicated by several obstacles:

1. Financial Barriers
   Healthcare is expensive, and for women without health insurance, the cost can be prohibitive. Even those with insurance often face high out-of-pocket costs, making it difficult to seek or continue necessary care.
2. Bias and Discrimination in Healthcare
   Women—especially those from marginalized communities, such as women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women in poverty—are at a higher risk of experiencing discrimination in healthcare. These biases, whether conscious or unconscious, can lead to unequal treatment. Women may find their symptoms dismissed or minimized, resulting in delayed diagnoses and prolonged suffering.

Discrimination in healthcare is unacceptable and can have serious consequences for women’s health. All patients, regardless of background, deserve the same level of respect, attention, and care. By working towards equitable healthcare, we can support healthier outcomes for everyone.to make sure everyone has access to good healthcare, we can help people stay healthy and feel better.

Medical Gaslighting: A Barrier to Accurate Diagnosis

“Medical gaslighting” occurs when healthcare providers dismiss a woman’s symptoms, attributing them to psychological causes such as anxiety or depression. This can be especially frustrating, leaving women feeling as though their symptoms aren’t real or important.

When medical gaslighting occurs, women miss out on accurate diagnoses and effective treatment. If you’re experiencing this, please know that your symptoms are valid, and you deserve to be taken seriously and receive appropriate care.

Misdiagnosis of Autoimmune Symptoms in Women

With over 80 types of autoimmune conditions affecting various body parts, symptoms of autoimmunity can overlap with those of other health issues. Common symptoms, like fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and digestive problems, can easily be mistaken for:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Fibromyalgia

The result? Misdiagnosis. And without a correct diagnosis, many women endure longer periods of suffering or see their autoimmune condition worsen. Seeking a second (or third) opinion from an autoimmune specialist or a functional medicine practitioner can help uncover the real issue.

The Importance of Early Detection in Women’s Autoimmunity

Autoimmune symptoms are often vague, making early diagnosis challenging. However, early detection is vital to prevent further damage. Research shows that certain blood markers, including specific antibodies, may signal an autoimmune condition before symptoms fully develop.

Proactive testing and intervention can prevent the progression of autoimmune diseases, which is why it’s essential to advocate for your health. If you’re experiencing concerning symptoms, know that there are healthcare professionals who will take you seriously and support your journey to a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Looking for Real Support?

If you’re struggling with autoimmunity and want expert guidance and hands-on support, consider joining my Road to Remission program. In this holistic 4-month journey, you’ll gain the clarity, validation, and personalized anti-inflammatory lifestyle you need to keep your autoimmune symptoms in check.

Let’s work together to get you the relief you deserve.