Women with autoimmune conditions are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed with psychological issues rather than physical ailments.

Women are more likely than men to be told by doctors that their symptoms are “all in their head”, a new study has found. Researchers from the universities of Cambridge and East Anglia who studied 6,600 patients with autoimmune diseases found that women were 50% more likely to be misdiagnosed with psychological issues, such as anxiety or stress, rather than physical ailments.

Women ‘more likely to be told autoimmune conditions are psychological’ Study suggests stark gender divide in misdiagnosis, with women also waiting longer for treatment https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/oct/13/women-autoimmune-conditions-psychological-misdiagnosis-cambridge-study

"Women with autoimmune conditions are up to 74% more likely than men to be told their symptoms are psychological or psychosomatic, and face much longer waits for a diagnosis and treatment, a study suggests." No surprise there. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/oct/13/women-autoimmune-conditions-psychological-misdiagnosis-cambridge-study