The Imposing Silence on an Ubiquitous Reality: Unveiling the Unspoken Troubles of Women Approaching Menopause
1. The Hidden Battle of Perimenopause
In today’s age, women like Joanna Strober face a chronic struggle with perimenopause, a condition often veiled in silence. By the time they hit 47, many women experience sleepless nights, which unusually signals the onset of this phase.
2. The Grueling Journey to Get a Diagnosis
Importantly, in far too many circumstances, women go through a grueling journey just to get a diagnosis and proper treatment. Strober, for instance, had to seek help from various medical professionals, which led her hours away from home, to finally discover the reason behind her symptoms.
3. The High Cost of Seeking Help
Unsurprisingly, the journey became even more stressful when the cost factor kicked in. Despite living in a developed city, San Francisco, Strober ended up paying $750 out of pocket to consult a healthcare provider. The steep cost of seeking medical advice is problematic and may deter many women from reaching out for appropriate help.
4. The Emotional Toll of Misunderstanding and Misdiagnosis
The most profound factor, however, is the ensuing emotional toll. Women are often left to wonder why their bodies are failing on them; why they are suffering. This leads to an intense feeling of distress, coupled with misunderstanding and fear, that engulfs women facing these severe symptoms. Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis only adds to the emotional strain, leading to a prolonged period of suffering.
5. The Urgent Need for Accessible and Affordable Health Care
Strober’s experience highlights an urgent need for accessible and affordable healthcare, especially for chronic conditions such as perimenopause which are commonly misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Women require adequate support and understanding from the medical community during these crucial life transitions.
To summarize, perimenopause, a condition affecting many women around the world, needs heightened visibility and accessibility to proper care. By discussing the struggles of women like Joanna Strober, we can spread awareness and provoke changes in the way society and the healthcare system perceives and manages perimenopause.
Credit: BBC. TechCrunch, Reuters
