Listen to your inner voice: Why women shouldn’t ignore their health intuition.
Women’s instincts are powerful, but we often dismiss the health signals our bodies send us. Learn how trusting your “ill-tuition” can improve your health and detect red flags sooner.
Have you ever had a nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right with your health? You're not alone. According to a recent survey conducted by MD Live, more than two-thirds of women say they have experienced “ill-tuition”—an innate sense that something is off with their health before knowing for sure.
While 81% of women say they trust this intuition, many still hesitate to act on their gut feeling, which can lead to avoidable and potentially worse health issues down the road. So, why do so many women dismiss these signals when their bodies are telling them something isn’t right?
the waiting game.
Two-thirds of women admitted they wait to act until symptoms interfere with their daily lives, despite feeling something was wrong much earlier. Instead of reaching out to a doctor, many women take matters into their own hands, turning to online symptom searches, advice from family and friends, or home remedies.
While they are quick to act when they experience more alarming symptoms, like shortness of breath or heart palpitations, symptoms they perceive as less serious are often brushed aside.
Women delay care for many reasons, including:
- Self-doubt or downplaying symptoms
- Cost concerns
- Fear of potential diagnosis
- Being seen as overreacting
- Too busy to schedule a doctor’s appointment
Of the women surveyed, Gen Z respondents were 1.5 times more likely to delay care for these reasons.
why you should trust your inner alarm.
Unfortunately, delayed action can have serious consequences. The survey found 4 in 10 women reported their symptoms worsened after ignoring early signs of trouble.
"Many seemingly minor symptoms, like fatigue, digestive discomfort, or even frequent itching, can be early signs of an underlying health condition," says Dr. Roundtree. "Delaying care can cause the condition to worsen, making it harder to manage down the road. Acting fast makes treatment easier and increases the likelihood of a better health outcome."
6 symptoms you shouldn’t brush off.
While some symptoms might be easy to dismiss, they could be early warning signs of more severe health conditions, particularly for women.
These symptoms or nagging issues that are new or unusual can be a health signal to pay attention to, even if they seem minor at first.
when your inner voice speaks, listen.
If your gut tells you that something is off, listen to it. Acting early and being your own advocate is essential for your health. The first step is to talk to a doctor. While it might be tempting to search for answers online, talking to a healthcare professional ensures you get accurate guidance and quality care.
Virtual care makes it easy to connect with a doctor quickly and conveniently. With MD Live, you can talk to a trusted board-certified doctor in minutes who can assess your symptoms and help you determine the best next steps.
Next time your ill-tuition kicks in, trust it—even if you or others are tempted to dismiss your concerns. Acting early not only encourages early detection and prevention but can make all the difference in managing your long-term health.
Posted date: October 28, 2024
