"Have a Glass of Wine": The Shocking (Medical?) Advice Women Still Hear

Plus, How to Advocate for Yourself When Doctors Won't lLsten

View on web New reader? Subscribe May 15, 2025 I wish I could say the results of this new study surprised me. A first-of-its-kind report published last week in the peer-reviewed medical journal JAMA Network Open found that more than half of patients seeking care for vulvovaginal pain considered giving up entirely. Many felt dismissed, disbelieved or outright belittled by their providers—with nearly 40% saying they were made to feel “crazy,” and a staggering 20% told to just “have a glass of wine." And if you’re thinking, this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.  For centuries, women have been told their pain is “in their head,” their suffering exaggerated, their symptoms normal. Gaslighting in medicine isn’t new. What’s new is that it’s finally being acknowledged—and named. As someone who’s spent years listening to women share their stories of being ignored, misdiagnosed and sent home without answers (myself included), this study doesn’t just hit close to home—it affirms what women have known all long: Our pain is real. Our voices matter. And we deserve better. This moment is painful, but it’s also powerful.  We now have the data to back up the experience—and the language to fight back. Medical gaslighting is not a misunderstanding. It’s a systemic failure. And if we’re going to build a better healthcare future for women—especially for those navigating menopause, chronic pain or reproductive disorders—it starts with listening, believing and demanding change. We see you. We believe you. And we’ll never stop advocating for you. Centering the Midlife Health Conversation with Beth Battaglino If you’ve followed women’s health in any capacity over the past few decades, chances are you know that Beth Battaglino has been shaping the conversation. As a registered nurse and the CEO of HealthyWomen, the nation's leading nonprofit health information source for women, Battaglino has spent nearly 30 years championing access, awareness and innovation in healthcare—from advocating for HPV prevention and early detection tools to ensuring that women’s voices are finally being heard in clinical trials. But Battaglino’s passion isn’t rooted in policy change or research milestones—it’s personal.  She’s specifically focused on supporting “women in the middle”—those in the often-overlooked 35-to-64 age range—who are typically so busy caring for others that they forget to care for themselves. For Battaglino, flipping that narrative isn’t just a professional mission; it’s a lived one. You have been in the women's health space for almost three decades. What have been three to five of the biggest positive changes you've seen during that time? The three biggest positive changes are that we are advancing women's health, right? We’ve come a long way—and I try to keep that top of mind. Women are now being included in clinical trials in ways they simply weren’t when I started. We’ve seen major breakthroughs like HPV prevention and better early detection tools, and we’re finally starting to center women’s health across the lifespan—not just during pregnancy or reproductive years. There’s still work to do, but I think it’s important to give ourselves a high five for the progress we have made. Where would you like to see more attention paid when it comes to women's health? I'd like to see attention paid to women in the middle, women aged 35 to 64. You know why? Because we are notoriously not taking care of ourselves. You know, the sad part is: I feel like I've been saying the sound bite for 30 years. Women in the middle do not take care of themselves, and we put so much stress on ourselves as well, that we need to switch the game and prioritize ourselves… [Midlife women] will make sure the dog or the cat gets to the vet before they get to their annual mammogram.   If there is one thing you would like to see every woman in that 35 to 64 demo do for herself, what would it be? Get your annual women’s wellness visit. Make sure you get your preventative screenings. As of now, 26 preventative screenings are covered under the Affordable Health Care Act, so there's no excuse. Ladies, prioritize your health! How do you find flow in your life—that moment, or ability, to be fully immersed and present in the moment? It’s easier said than done, I'm scheduling time for me. I'm putting focus time on my calendar. Instead of taking an hour to eat a sandwich, I'm going to the gym. I am really focusing on making sure I take care of myself. I'm making it a priority. [During] my focus time, I go for a run or work out at the gym. If I get that exercise in, it just helps me; I’m a better person. The The Heart of the Matter: Why Your Mood Might Be Your Best Medicine Mental health isn’t just a state of mind—it’s a whole-body issue. For women in midlife, the connection between emotional well-being and heart health is especially profound, with stress, anxiety and loneliness now recognized as critical risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Experts agree: the key to protecting both is proactively tending to your inner life. That might mean reconnecting with others, volunteering or simply building more joy into your day. Yale psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos notes that social connection and small acts of kindness consistently boost happiness—and that happiness itself is protective. Lifestyle plays a major role, too. Dr. Andrew Weil recommends tea rituals and gardening as accessible, calming practices that promote both mental clarity and physical resilience. The research backs it up: these practices reduce stress, enhance mindfulness and support longevity. And the benefits go deeper than mood. Cardiologists like Dr. Martha Gulati and Dr. Puja Mehta are increasingly emphasizing the brain-heart connection, especially around menopause, when hormonal shifts can amplify both emotional strain and cardiac risk. Chronic stress raises cortisol, disrupts sleep and accelerates plaque buildup in arteries—making stress management not just helpful, but essential. The message? Caring for your mind is caring for your heart. And in this chapter of life, small shifts can spark big change. How We're Finding Flow EXPERIENCING “The Forest Within," a multi-sensory wellness experience centered around Korean heritage, nature and design developed in collaboration with founder and CEO of goop, Gwyneth Paltrow.  CELEBRATING Salma Hayek’s dazzling debut as a 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover star at age 58. While shooting in her native Mexico, the actress spoke candidly about owning her power and authenticity in midlife. READING Midlife Private Parts, a new anthology coming out June 24, that spotlights what it feels like to move through the world as a midlife woman. Featuring essays from women, such as menopause advocate Dr. Mary Claire Haver, beauty entrepreneur Laura Geller and Flow Space Advisory Council member and podcast host Katie Fogarty, this Zibby Books release is smart, funny and deeply resonant.    FUELING our post-workout recovery with Thorne Creatine Powder—one of the most well-researched and effective supplements for midlife women. Clean and easy to mix into, experts love that it supports lean muscle, boosts energy and sharpens brain health.   This email was sent to kashebeauty.trends@blogger.com by SHE Media. Please add email@email.shemedia.com to your address book to ensure delivery to your inbox. Visit the Preferences Center to update your profile and customize what email alerts and newsletters you receive. SHE Media is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2025 SHEMedia, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 475 5th Ave New York, New York, 10017 View in Browser | Privacy Policy | Your Privacy Rights | Ad Choices | Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Update Profile