I've had this problem a number of times, and a recent incident has got me absolutely fuming. I'm hardly a hypochondriac, I prefer to not go to the doctors and only go on average every two or so years when I have a problem that won't resolve on its own. This time I made an appointment because I had made a connection that I was getting chronic acne appearing overnight, at the exact same time and only when I had this other symptom, and wanting to know if the doctor could shed some light on why this was, as it didn't seem to fit the condition I'd been told I had. Instead I was told the acne wasn't connected, that I was imagining it, and was given the same prescription as before, which obviously hadn't worked. I've had other painful conditions dismissed in the past, on one occasion having to return several times for the same issue only to be asked by one doctor with a 'concerned' face why I was so worried about it as though I had Munchhausens (it was more the constant debilitating pain than 'worry' that was the issue, but of course that was all in my mind, silly woman!) until I finally got a diagnosis. In fact at this surgery I saw a number of different doctors, and the female doctor who finally diagnosed me asked 'has anyone actually examined you?' - indeed, the four previous times I'd been in they hadn't. Yes, it could be down to lack of time or resources on the NHS, but can't help think I would have been taken more seriously if I were a man, especially as these kinds of dismissive attitudes towards female patients are well-documented. Anyway, I'm venting a little bit, but I was wondering if there is any sort of campaign I can join that addresses these kinds of attitudes towards female patients? I'm lucky enough that this hasn't threatened my life so far, but it no doubt has for other women.