Going to the doctor as a woman can feel like preparing for battle. You roll up with your list of symptoms, your Google research, and maybe even a friend to validate your pain because, let’s face it, there’s a good chance your doctor will tell you you’re fine when you’re very much not. As someone who’s had PCOS for almost a decade, I know the struggle. It doesn’t matter if you’re Beyoncé-level famous (we’ve all heard of Serena Williams’ struggles with childbirth) or just someone trying to live their life — women’s health issues often get ignored. Case in point: Florence Pugh’s recent revelations about her PCOS and endometriosis on the SHE MD podcast, where she shared the wild story of a doctor completely dismissing her diagnosis.
Florence Pugh On Her PCOS Diagnosis
this is just so emblematic of how women’s health isn’t taken seriously by medical professionals and women need to be their own health advocates like you can be FLORENCE PUGH and someone will still deny your health issues bc you’re still a woman
— sophia (@hellopugh) November 19, 2024
On the SHE MD podcast, Florence shared that she was diagnosed with PCOS and endometriosis last year at the age of 27 after going to see a gynecologist in Beverly Hills. These conditions, which can cause irregular periods, weight fluctuations, acne, and even infertility, had been affecting her without her fully realizing it. She chalked up her symptoms — like weight changes and hair growth in unwanted places — to stress and the normal joys of being a woman. But they weren’t normal at all.
Her doctor in LA recommended freezing her eggs, and Florence decided to jump on it. But then she made the mistake of consulting another doctor in London for a second opinion, and the experience was… infuriating. According to Florence, this doctor literally shook her head and said, “That’s just not possible.” Yeah, I’m confused too.
To make matters worse, this London doctor brushed off the test results Florence had brought from LA and told her, “You’ll be fine to have kids well into your 30s.” Oh, will she? Because PCOS and endometriosis — the leading causes of infertility — didn’t get that memo.
Florence sharing her story reminded the rest of us that even celebrities with access to world-class doctors aren’t immune to the medical gaslighting we’ve all experienced at some point. Her story highlights just how normalized it is to dismiss women’s health concerns — especially conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, which impact millions of people worldwide.
What’s even more frustrating? PCOS disproportionately affects women of color, who are more likely to be misdiagnosed due to racial biases around symptoms like weight gain. And while Florence acknowledges her privilege in being able to afford egg-freezing and top-tier healthcare, it’s a sad reality that many women can’t even get a proper diagnosis, let alone access fertility treatments.
Let’s call it what it is: sexism in medicine. PCOS affects 1 in 10 women, and endometriosis affects 1 in 9, yet both conditions are chronically underdiagnosed. I didn’t even get tested for PCOS until I demanded my doctor do so, despite having every single symptom associated with it. This is partly because these symptoms — bloating, cramps, acne, hair loss — are often dismissed as “normal” for women. The medical community loves to gaslight women into thinking their pain isn’t real, but Florence’s story proves that even those with the means to advocate for themselves still face roadblocks.
Florence emphasized the importance of education. PCOS and endometriosis aren’t rare, yet so many people have no idea what they are or how they can affect fertility. Florence put it best: “It’s something that will be the defining factor of whether you can have children or not.”
Women’s health issues still don’t get the attention they deserve, even in 2024. And considering the man who was just elected into office, I fear that issues like this will only increase. So, if your doctor ever dismisses your concerns, pull a Florence: get loud, get a second opinion, and don’t stop until you get the care you deserve. Or, as I like to say, fight for your right to not be gaslit by the medical establishment.
