Why Doctors Dismiss Women's Symptoms (And How to Advocate for Yourself) with Dr Vandana Arcot EP366

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Have you ever left a doctor's appointment feeling like your concerns weren't taken seriously? Maybe you were told your symptoms were normal, that your labs looked fine, or that you were simply stressed.

For far too many women, this experience is all too familiar.

Women are incredibly resilient. We push through exhaustion, manage the needs of everyone around us, and somehow keep going. But when did being strong become an expectation to suffer in silence?

And why are women's symptoms still so often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or dismissed?

In this episode of It's Hertime, I'm joined by Dr. Vandana Arcot, a physician, global public health leader, and passionate advocate for women's health.

With nearly two decades of experience working alongside organizations including UNICEF and the United Nations, Dr. Arcot has helped advance women's health across more than 13 countries. From refugee communities and rural villages to hospitals and international health organizations, she's witnessed something remarkable: regardless of where women live, they share a fundamental need to be heard, understood, and supported.

Together, we're exploring the gaps in women's healthcare, why modern medicine hasn't always accounted for the unique needs of women's bodies, and what needs to change.

We also talk about something I believe deserves much more attention: the hidden health cost of being the woman who carries everything.

The emotional labor, the constant caregiving, the expectation to be resilient, and the physical toll of putting everyone else's needs before our own.

Dr. Arcot also shares how her personal experience becoming a patient changed her perspective on medicine, compassion, and the importance of advocating for yourself.

This conversation is about so much more than what's happening inside the doctor's office.

It's about recognizing that your experiences matter, your symptoms deserve attention, and you have every right to ask questions, seek answers, and participate in decisions about your health.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Why women's symptoms are still frequently dismissed or misunderstood
• Medical gaslighting and the gender gap in healthcare
• What Dr. Arcot learned from caring for women across 13+ countries
• How women's physiology has historically been overlooked in medical research
• Why women can experience delays in diagnosis and treatment
• The hidden physical and emotional cost of carrying everyone else's needs
• When resilience becomes survival rather than strength
• How chronic stress and emotional labor can affect women's health
• What Dr. Arcot learned when she became the patient
• How to advocate for yourself when you feel unheard by your doctor
• When to seek a second opinion
• What needs to change to create better healthcare for women everywhere

A Reminder for Every Woman Listening

Being resilient doesn't mean you have to carry everything alone.

Being strong doesn't mean ignoring your symptoms.

And advocating for your health doesn't make you difficult.

You deserve healthcare that sees you as a whole person, listens to your experiences, and respects your voice.

Your body is always communicating with you. You deserve to be heard.

Connect with Dr. Vandana Arcot

Website — KOMSELJ:www.komselj.com

Instagram — @drvandanaarcot:Follow Dr. Arcot on Instagram

LinkedIn:Connect with Dr. Arcot

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