‘Gilead Was Meant to Be Fiction’: Medical Dismissal and Reproductive Governance in Online Discussions of Medical Interactions in Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common and debilitating condition, yet women frequently report dismissal and inadequate care. Drawing on feminist theory and critical discourse analysis, this study examines Reddit discussions of medical interactions relating to HMB. Two interlinked discourses were identified: reproductive governance, where fertility is prioritized over women’s well-being, and medical dismissal, where women’s accounts of suffering are minimized or discredited. These discourses produce epistemic injustice by undermining women’s experiential knowledge, whereas online forums function as spaces of validation and resistance. The findings highlight the need for more equitable, patient-centered approaches to menstrual healthcare.