Radio host makes shocking claim about women's health—expert responds!
By
Gian T
- Replies 26
In a world where we've made leaps and bounds in understanding and treating various health conditions, it's disheartening to hear that misconceptions and misinformation still run rampant, even among those with a public platform.
This was made painfully clear when a radio host with a penchant for controversy made a shocking and ill-informed claim about a serious women's health issue.
During a recent broadcast, Marty Sheargold, who was already under fire for making sexist remarks about Australia's national women's football team, decided to add fuel to the fire by suggesting that endometriosis, a chronic and often debilitating condition, is 'made up.'
'God, don't ladies carry on. Jesus Christ, there is no end to it. Honestly, endometriosis, and this is controversial,' he said.
'No, I'm going to say it, it's controversial. It's made up.'
His flippant comment not only sparked outrage but also highlighted the ongoing struggle for recognition and understanding that many women face when dealing with their health concerns.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, causing severe pain and a host of other symptoms.
It affects nearly 1 million Australian women and girls, who often endure an average diagnosis delay of 6.5 years.
This delay can lead to a range of complications, including fertility issues, and is a testament to the need for better awareness and medical attention.
'Sincere thank you to Marty Sheargold for helping me today sort my scheduling out,' he responded.
'I stupidly—I don’t know what I was thinking—had surgery booked for a patient for likely endometriosis, but of course, it can’t be because endo is not real.'
'So, look, we’ve just cancelled and I have a free slot available now, Thanks Dr Sheargold.'
Dr Robinson shared a story of a patient who had suffered from undiagnosed endometriosis for over half her life, emphasising the systemic failure in addressing women's reproductive and menstrual health.
The response to Dr Robinson's posts was overwhelming, with many women sharing their own harrowing experiences of living with endometriosis.
Stories of being dismissed by doctors told their symptoms were all in their head or being left undiagnosed for years were all too common.
After the backlash, Triple M took action by parting ways with Sheargold.
The network's chief content officer, Dave Cameron, issued a statement acknowledging the need for reflection and review and the responsibility to align programming with the standards and expectations of the audience.
This incident is a stark reminder that words have power, mainly when spoken by those with a platform.
It's crucial for public figures to be informed and sensitive when discussing health issues, as their words can either contribute to the stigma or help in breaking it down.
This story hits close to home for our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, many of whom are women or have women in their lives they care deeply about.
It's a call to action to support the women around us, to advocate for better healthcare, and to educate ourselves and others about conditions like endometriosis.
In other news, it wasn't long since Triple M's Marty Sheargold was back on the airwaves after a sudden, months-long absence.
He took a break after drawing inspiration from two high-profile AFL coaches, citing burnout and the need for time away. You can read more about it here.
Credit: YouTube
Have you or someone you know been affected by endometriosis or other under-recognised health conditions? How do you think we can improve awareness and treatment? Your stories and insights are valuable, and by sharing them, we can work towards a future where no woman's health concern is dismissed or belittled.
This was made painfully clear when a radio host with a penchant for controversy made a shocking and ill-informed claim about a serious women's health issue.
During a recent broadcast, Marty Sheargold, who was already under fire for making sexist remarks about Australia's national women's football team, decided to add fuel to the fire by suggesting that endometriosis, a chronic and often debilitating condition, is 'made up.'
'God, don't ladies carry on. Jesus Christ, there is no end to it. Honestly, endometriosis, and this is controversial,' he said.
'No, I'm going to say it, it's controversial. It's made up.'
His flippant comment not only sparked outrage but also highlighted the ongoing struggle for recognition and understanding that many women face when dealing with their health concerns.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, causing severe pain and a host of other symptoms.
It affects nearly 1 million Australian women and girls, who often endure an average diagnosis delay of 6.5 years.
This delay can lead to a range of complications, including fertility issues, and is a testament to the need for better awareness and medical attention.
Dr Brad Robinson, a Brisbane-based obstetrician-gynaecologist, took to social media to address Sheargold's comments with sarcasm and seriousness.'Sincere thank you to Marty Sheargold for helping me today sort my scheduling out,' he responded.
'I stupidly—I don’t know what I was thinking—had surgery booked for a patient for likely endometriosis, but of course, it can’t be because endo is not real.'
'So, look, we’ve just cancelled and I have a free slot available now, Thanks Dr Sheargold.'
Dr Robinson shared a story of a patient who had suffered from undiagnosed endometriosis for over half her life, emphasising the systemic failure in addressing women's reproductive and menstrual health.
The response to Dr Robinson's posts was overwhelming, with many women sharing their own harrowing experiences of living with endometriosis.
Stories of being dismissed by doctors told their symptoms were all in their head or being left undiagnosed for years were all too common.
These accounts underscore the importance of advocacy and the need for a medical system that listens to and supports women.After the backlash, Triple M took action by parting ways with Sheargold.
The network's chief content officer, Dave Cameron, issued a statement acknowledging the need for reflection and review and the responsibility to align programming with the standards and expectations of the audience.
This incident is a stark reminder that words have power, mainly when spoken by those with a platform.
It's crucial for public figures to be informed and sensitive when discussing health issues, as their words can either contribute to the stigma or help in breaking it down.
This story hits close to home for our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, many of whom are women or have women in their lives they care deeply about.
It's a call to action to support the women around us, to advocate for better healthcare, and to educate ourselves and others about conditions like endometriosis.
In other news, it wasn't long since Triple M's Marty Sheargold was back on the airwaves after a sudden, months-long absence.
He took a break after drawing inspiration from two high-profile AFL coaches, citing burnout and the need for time away. You can read more about it here.
Credit: YouTube
Key Takeaways
- A Brisbane-based obstetrician-gynaecologist criticised radio host Marty Sheargold for claiming that endometriosis is a 'made-up' condition.
- Marty Sheargold faced backlash and was axed by Triple M after making sexist and misogynistic comments on-air, including dismissive remarks about endometriosis.
- Doctor Brad Robinson used social media to sarcastically thank Sheargold and highlight the seriousness and reality of endometriosis, which is often unrecognised and can significantly impact women’s health.
- Women with endometriosis shared their long and painful journeys of seeking a diagnosis, underscoring the challenges and medical system failings in recognising and treating the condition.
Last edited: