International Women’s Day: five commonly misdiagnosed health conditions in women

On the eve of International Women’s Day, read about a few severe illnesses female patients struggle with to get proper answers from their physicians.

Women often face unique health challenges, and one of the most significant among them is misdiagnosis. Many serious health conditions in women are overlooked or mistaken for something else, leading to delayed treatment, prolonged suffering, and increased physical and mental health risks.

Studies show that women are at least 50% more likely than men to receive the wrong initial diagnosis after a heart attack, and 25% more likely after a stroke. Additionally, research from the University of Copenhagen found that women are diagnosed an average of four years later than men for more than 700 diseases—including a 2.5-year delay in cancer diagnosis.

Here are five of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions in women, so let’s discuss on the eve of International Women’s Day:

1. Heart Disease and Heart Attacks

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Symptoms in women differ from men, making it harder to diagnose. While chest pain is a classic symptom, women may also experience:

✔️ Fatigue

✔️ Nausea

✔️ Jaw, neck, or back pain

Most diagnostic tests are designed for men’s cardiovascular systems, failing to detect smaller blood vessel issues in women. As a result, many women’s heart-related symptoms are mistaken for stress, indigestion, or anxiety, delaying life-saving treatment.

2. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful condition where the tissue lining the uterus grows outside of it, leading to:

✔️ Severe pelvic pain

✔️ Heavy periods

✔️ Infertility

Despite affecting millions of women, it is often misdiagnosed as bad menstrual cramps, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), or even depression. Women often go years without a proper diagnosis, leading to unnecessary suffering and complications.

3. Breast or Cervical Cancer

While awareness of breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers is increasing, misdiagnosis remains a major issue. The UN reports that 31% of all breast cancer cases are misdiagnosed due to early symptoms being mistaken for less serious conditions like IBS, back pain, or hormonal changes.

✔️ Bloating

✔️ Irregular bleeding

✔️ Back pain

Regular screenings, self-examinations, and knowing your body can help catch cancer early.

4. Sleep Apnea

Once considered a “men’s disease,” sleep apnea is now recognized as a serious health condition in both men and women. However, women’s symptoms differ from men’s, leading to misdiagnosis.

Common symptoms in women:

✔️ Chronic fatigue

✔️ Mood swings or depression

✔️ Unexplained weight gain

Doctors often mistake these symptoms for low thyroid function or mental health issues, ignoring the possibility of sleep apnea.

5. Stroke

Women experiencing a stroke often report non-traditional symptoms, such as:

✔️ Dizziness

✔️ Fainting

✔️ Confusion or brain fog

Since these symptoms do not always match the “classic” stroke signs (such as sudden numbness or slurred speech), strokes in women are often misdiagnosed as anxiety or vertigo. This delayed diagnosis can be fatal.

Bridging the Gender Gap in Healthcare

The medical field has made significant progress, but gender bias in diagnosis remains a critical issue. Women need to advocate for themselves, ask for second opinions, and push for better screening tests tailored to their unique health needs.

🔹 Early detection saves lives! If you feel something is wrong, trust your instincts and seek a second medical opinion.