This “Dear Men Writers” thread points out common mistakes male writers make when writing female characters. It’s no secret that sometimes male authors describe women in super weird and sexist ways. This creates awkward, unrealistic female characters that other men often buy into. Women are getting annoyed at this and some have come together to compile this open letter to men writers. From the realities of periods to the functionality of high heels, these ladies cover a wide range of topics and correcting many misconceptions:
(via: Bored Panda)
Based on experiences of a number of women I’ve known, if your period cramps are, as mentioned above, more painful than labour then it may be advisable to talk to your doctor about endometriosis. A lot of women go through years, decades even, of pain undiagnosed because their doctor didn’t consider it and so didn’t check for it. It might not be that, but it’s worth ruling it out.
Appreciate the advice, but most of us are brushed off when we complain about menstrual issues even when endometriosis or PCOS or other conditions really should be considered. It’s a serious issue that womens pain is typically discounted in medical settings.
First, the doctor needs to actually listen 🥰 most will just say “it’s normal, go away”
Yes, most women with that severe of menstrual pain likely have an underlying medical condition like PCOS or Endometriosis. However, most know this and have been talking to their doctors about it. It often takes over a decade of actively seeking treatment AND a male relative (husband, father, etc) vouching for how bad it is and that you are not exaggerating or just being overly emotional before the doctors will finally look into that. Mix this with the fact that research and testing in women’s medical issues are woefully behind compared to male medical issues and it just generally sucks. So, your helpful advice isn’t really that helpful. We already know, we just can’t make the medical field give a crap that fast.