4 Ways to Advocate for Your Health
Have you ever sat in a doctor’s office and felt unheard? Worried you were taking up too much time? Downplayed your instincts because “they are the doctor?”
As women, we are conditioned that it is more important to be quiet, polite, and accommodating than it is to advocate for ourselves. I'm here to tell you to start speaking up and taking up space because that is some patriarchal BS!
We live in a world where women are still routinely dismissed when they try to explain symptoms related to their health, so we HAVE to be our own best advocates. If that’s new to you. Here are a few ways to get started.
Track Your Symptoms & Bring Notes
Be prepared. Write down what you want to talk about and the symptoms you’re experiencing, e.g., when it started, what makes it better/worse. Bring the notes with you so you can refer to them if you get flustered
Listen to Your Body
Trust yourself. You are the expert on your body. If something feels off or your gut is telling you it’s not quite right, listen to it. You can always take time to think it over.
Ask Questions
If you don’t understand the diagnosis or want to know if there are other treatment options, ask questions! You may need to come back for another appointment or be referred to a specialist but you don’t have to settle.
Find a New Doctor
Not every doctor out there will try to gaslight you. There are many doctors out there who will believe, listen to, and support you. If you don’t have one that does, you are absolutely empowered to find another one that’s a better fit for you.
If speaking up feels overwhelming at first, just start with one thing. Any action you take to advocate for yourself is worth doing. Just like with nutrition and self care, it’s about progress, not perfection.
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