It only takes going to the doctors to realise this society doesn't see women as human beings

Over the past five years I've gone to the doctors for chest pains, abnormal bleeding and to have a wisom tooth extracted. No matter how many times I've voiced my concerns, I've been dismissed, humiliated and spoken to like I'm a criminal. Was told my undiagnosed asthma was anxiety. I was not given enough pain medication to have my wisdom tooth extracted so had to be sent to a hospital, despite telling them that local anaesthesia has not been sufficient enough in the past to numb me.

Most recently, I was 'diagnosed' with PCOS despite not fulfilling all the criteria. How do I know this? Because I'm a lecturer in public health who teaches about the diagnostic guidelines on women's reproductive health. The nurse I spoke to still had the audacity to tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about.

And you know what's even worse? A large portion of my family and friends cringed uncomfortably when I launched a complaint to the GP practice. Because everyone supports an empowered woman as long as she doesn't disrupt the peace. People would rather see us die and suffer than face the uncomfortable truth. This goes for both women and men.