The Silent Crisis: When Men Get Gaslit by Medicine
Most guys think “medical gaslighting” is a women’s issue. And sure, women have been ignored, dismissed, and misdiagnosed for decades. But here’s the truth: men get blown off too. Different symptoms, same system. And it’s costing men years of health, energy, and even their lives.
Fatigue? Must Be Stress.
You tell your doctor you’re wiped out, no energy, brain fog, can’t keep your eyes open by 3 p.m. Nine times out of ten, you’ll hear some version of:
- “You’re working too hard.”
- “Try losing a little weight.”
- “It’s just getting older.”
Translation: you’re fine, now go home.
Here’s the problem, fatigue can signal everything from thyroid issues to sleep apnea to early heart disease. Dismissing it as “stress” leaves the root cause untreated while your health declines.
Chest Pain? Probably Anxiety.
A scary number of men in their 40s and 50s go to the ER with chest pain and get told it’s “anxiety.” Some are sent home without proper tests. For women, the dismissal is worse, but men still die every year because warning signs weren’t taken seriously.
If a doctor chalks up your chest pain to nerves without running basic cardiac checks, that’s not “cautious medicine.” That’s negligence.
Mental Health? Tough It Out.
Men are more likely to have their depression show up as anger, irritability, or withdrawal. Instead of screening for it, many doctors fall back on stereotypes:
- “You just need to get more active.”
- “Try managing your stress better.”
It’s a big reason men are four times more likely than women to die by suicide. Ignoring symptoms doesn’t make men stronger, it makes them vulnerable.
Why It Happens
Psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula has pointed out how systems minimize suffering by slapping on labels instead of digging deeper. Add to that the old cultural script that men should just “suck it up,” and you’ve got a perfect storm of dismissal.
Author Warren Farrell has spent decades arguing that men’s struggles often go invisible in society. Health is no different. When doctors don’t listen, men lose, and so do their families.
Real Science, Not Quick Fixes
Here’s the good news: some experts are cutting through the noise. One of them is Dr. Paul Arciero, professor of Health and Human Physiological Sciences at Skidmore College. With over 30 years of research and more than 100 peer-reviewed studies, he’s proven how nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle choices can transform health outcomes.
Arciero isn’t selling gimmicks, he’s publishing data. His research on protein pacing and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) shows men can boost energy, stabilize hormones, and preserve muscle without falling for expensive “low T” clinics or fad supplements. In a world where everyone calls themselves an expert, Arciero stands out because he’s tested, published, and proven his approach.
The Bigger Picture
Women face dismissal with menopause, autoimmune issues, and chronic pain. Men face it with fatigue, heart symptoms, and mental health. Different faces, same problem. If both men and women are being ignored, the issue isn’t you, it’s the system.
What You Can Do
- Push back. If your gut says something’s wrong, ask for tests, second opinions, and don’t settle for “you’re fine.”
- Track symptoms. Doctors can’t dismiss what you’ve documented over time.
- Start with proven strategies. Experts like Arciero are showing how smarter nutrition and training create real, measurable change.
Don’t accept dismissal as an answer. Your health matters. Download the free Men’s Health Booklet here. for practical solutions that help you take charge.