Episode 6: Why Is My Doctor Gaslighting Me?
Season 1, Episode 6
Why Is My Doctor Gaslighting Me?
Advocating for Women’s Health
This episode of Mommy Has Questions breaks down the medical gaslighting women face when seeking answers—especially around autoimmune disorders, postpartum care, hormonal health, aging, pain, and perimenopause. From personal stories of being ignored and misdiagnosed to jaw-dropping statistics on research disparities, the moms reveal how a system built on the male body is failing women daily.
They also explore how race, income, and education level further widen the gap—and what we can do to advocate for ourselves. With humor, frustration, and straight-up truth, the moms remind listeners: you’re not crazy, and you deserve better care. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who's ever left the doctor’s office with more questions than answers.
🗣️ What We Talk About:
Why women’s symptoms are often dismissed
Perimenopause, menopause, and hormonal health myths
The shocking research gap in women’s healthcare
Why only 2% of funding goes to women-specific conditions
How race and income impact access to care
The male body as the medical “default”
The emotional toll of being gaslit in a clinical setting
How to document symptoms and advocate for yourself
Why it’s okay (and powerful) to fire your doctor
📚References:
Hand Washing. “It Took Surprisingly Long for Doctors to Figure out the Benefits of Hand Washing.” History.Com, A&E Television Networks, 15 Apr. 2025, www.history.com/articles/hand-washing-disease-infection.
Lack of Funding for Women’s Health Research. Smith, Kerri. Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 3 May 2023, www.nature.com/immersive/d41586-023-01475-2/index.html.
Gender Bias in Medicine. Koven, Suzanne. “How Gender Bias in Medicine Has Shaped Women’s Health.” Harvard Medicine Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025, magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/how-gender-bias-medicine-has-shaped-womens-health.
Health Equity. Baciu A, Negussie Y, Geller A, et al., editors Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity.National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Committee on Community-Based Solutions to Promote Health Equity in the United States.Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2017 Jan 11.
📚Resources:
Joint Commission: Patient Advocacy Checklist
The Care Partner Project: Patient Advocacy Resources
💜Women’s Health Advocacy Organizations:
Center for Reproductive Rights - A legal advocacy organization dedicated to advancing reproductive rights as fundamental human rights, with work on abortion, maternal health, and IVF access.
The Menopause Society (formerly North American Menopause Society) - Empowers healthcare professionals to improve women's health during the menopause transition through education and resources.
Let's Talk Menopause - A 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing education and raising awareness about perimenopause and menopause through community-building initiatives.
National Organization for Women (NOW) - A long-standing feminist organization that works on reproductive rights, affirming them as "issues of life and death for women, not mere matters of choice."
Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation) - Focuses on providing factual information about abortion access and reproductive healthcare.
SisterReach - A grassroots organization supporting the reproductive autonomy of women and teens of color, poor women, rural women, and LGBTQ+ people in the South.
International Planned Parenthood Federation - A global provider of sexual and reproductive health services and advocate for reproductive rights.
Women Deliver - A global advocacy organization championing gender equality and the health and rights of girls and women.
Fòs Feminista - An international alliance for sexual and reproductive justice working across borders.
👯♀️ Meet Your Hosts:
Cristina Sansone – Public health pro turned full-time stay-at-home mom of three
Jamie Dennison – Corporate exec and mom of two
Jess Kahn Marks – Former engineer and mom of two
Tiffany Hodges – Writer, actor, filmmaker, and mom of one
🔗 Follow Along:
📱 IG: @momsamongotherthings
🌐 Website: mommyhasquestions.com
🎧 Presented by: momsamongotherthings.com
🔑 Keywords:
women’s health, gaslighting, perimenopause, menopause, medical bias, hormone imbalance, advocacy, feminist healthcare, racial disparities, gender gaps in medicine, symptom dismissal, invisible illness, firing your doctor, women-centered care
