According to the results of Soliant Health’s 2024 State of Healthcare Report, women were 66.1% more likely to receive a misdiagnosis in the last two years compared to their male counterparts.
Factor in that an estimated 12 million adults in the U.S. are misdiagnosed every year, the number of women receiving those misdiagnoses is alarming – and frightening.
The Physical and Psychological Impact on Women’s Health – and Their Lives
A misdiagnosis, for men and women, could have serious consequences that could change the course of a person’s health and quality of life. While the implications of a misdiagnosis can be physical, they can also cause a psychological and financial impact.
Delay in Appropriate Treatment
An improper diagnosis could mean facing treatment for a condition you don’t have, while the underlying condition you do have persists and worsens. This delay in appropriate treatment could result in life-threatening consequences in severe cases, or prolonged suffering and pain when not.
Emotional Distress
Just as we put our trust in mechanics to fix the issues with our vehicles, we place our faith and trust in medical professionals to listen to and help us when things feel wrong within our bodies. A misdiagnosis, or even cases of our symptoms being dismissed, can leave you feeling hopeless, frustrated, and confused.
When faced with a misdiagnosis or dismissal, women often find themselves asking, “Is it really all in my head?”
Our team at MRI Wellness is here to tell you that your pain is not something to be minimized, and you do not create your emotional distress – an outdated system does.
Financial Stress
Treating a condition you don’t have may result in numerous doctor’s visits, unnecessary tests, and treatment methods that quickly add zeros to the dollar sign. While the direct financial impact is felt, indirect costs can also set in, such as missed workdays.
Financial strain could develop into secondary health issues, such as anxiety or depression, leaving you with the costs of treatments never designed to work, a condition that remains undiagnosed, and bills that begin to pile up.
The Most Common Misdiagnosed Conditions in Women
Certain health conditions have gained notoriety for being misdiagnosed in women. From heart disease to endometriosis, here are the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions in women.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet it is often overlooked.
Why?
We tend to think of heart attacks as how they are displayed on television: sudden onset chest pain that causes them to clutch at their chests, fall to the floor, and faint. This portrayal of a heart attack is misleading, especially when it comes to how symptoms present themselves in women.
Instead of debilitating chest pains, women may feel increased fatigue, nausea, neck and jaw pain, or shortness of breath. One study conducted by the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom found that women have a 50% higher chance than men of receiving the wrong initial diagnosis after suffering a heart attack.
Women having a heart attack, therefore, may be written off as having a panic attack, symptoms of acid reflux, or just general stress.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its healthy cells, believing them to be harmful invaders. Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can be tricky to detect as their symptoms often mimic other health conditions.
Unfortunately, these diseases affect more women than men, with four out of five autoimmune sufferers being female.
With symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and mood changes, doctors often dismiss the early signs of autoimmune diseases as stress or aging. The result? Years and multiple doctor visits before a correct diagnosis is given.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue, similar to the uterine lining, grows outside the uterus. The main symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, which is often linked with menstrual periods. Given that menstrual periods are usually met with slight pain and discomfort in the form of cramping and lower back pain, an estimated one in 10 women with endometriosis are told their crippling pain is nothing more than “normal” period pains.
On average, women in the U.S. wait around seven to 10 years for an accurate endometriosis diagnosis, which can mean years of pain and fertility issues before any form of treatment begins.
How a Full Body MRI Scan Advocates For You
Finding answers in a system that is built against you is no easy feat to endure, and one you should not have to face alone.
As awareness grows about the gender gap in healthcare, advancements are being made to address it. As technology continues to evolve and improve what was once thought impossible in the healthcare industry, whole-body MRI scans are enabling women to regain control over their healthcare journeys.
Our MRI of the entire body scans for nearly 500 health conditions across 13 organ systems, spotting possible abnormalities that could be attributed to commonly misdiagnosed conditions in women.
Choosing to undergo a full-body MRI scan near you provides you with peace of mind and clarity over what you’re feeling, giving you a greater sense of control over your body.
Your body is speaking out, you are listening, and a full-body MRI scan is the evidence you need for others to hear you.
Regain Control of Your Healthcare Journey with a Complete Body Scan
The time is now to trust yourself, trust your body, and advocate for yourself – and we’re here to help.
At MRI Wellness in Charleston, SC, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to take control of their healthcare journey. By providing a safe, comfortable, and relaxed environment, we are committed to helping you have a peaceful and clear experience during your Charleston full-body MRI scan, rather than one filled with fear and frustration.
Schedule your complete body scan with us today and learn more about the benefits a full-body MRI can bring.
