It’s Probably Nothing: Critical Conversations on the Women’s Health Crisis

by Naga Munchetty

…or it could be everything.

Throughout history, women's pain and health issues have often been dismissed and viewed simply as an innate part of being female. Whether blamed on a wandering womb, witchcraft or still, to this day, being 'all in our heads' – women's health has been consistently misunderstood. As a result women have, and still are, missing out on receiving the healthcare they deserve.

In ‘It’s Probably Nothing’, Naga Munchetty explores the difficulties of being heard, diagnosed and treated. She writes candidly about her own experience of poor care and speaks to women directly affected by undiagnosed and untreated health issues. Speaking to doctors and experts at every step of the way, Naga will uncover what people need to know and ask for when advocating for themselves and their loved ones.

Women deserve to be heard and have the healthcare they need to live full lives. This book places much overdue focus on how the system has been built without women in mind and the urgent need to balance the scales.

It’s the book you’ll want to press into everyone’s hands.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Health, Audiobook, Womens, Illness

352 pages, Hardcover

First published May 8, 2025

Reviews

[Abbie Toria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Essential reading for everyone.

[Stacey Bookerworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! a must read for any woman who has felt like they weren't being listened to with regards to their own body. Full of useful anecdotes and information about how to ge the help you need. Empowering

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not quite sure what this book is doing. But, the stories contained within, and the challenges those interviewed have faced with their health are at times distressing, profound and sadly all to be expected. My worry with it, is that it could easily be used by those looking to dismantle our health system and move to an insurance based service, which I am strongly against.

As someone with a chronic gynaecological health condition I can all too easily relate to the experiences contained within. But as a woman, I can also see how we have been continually let down by a health care system which prioritises research on men, male conditions and also not looking holistically to understand how our body's systems interact. I have my own stories to tell in this regard, some horrendous health care professionals, and some fantastic.

The book was very focused on the English health system, which was a shame and made some of it irrelevant, and it also made little to no mention of the ability of women to look beyond conventional treatments for alternative methods of managing symptoms, pain and their conditions. Whilst mindfulness and exercise did get a mention in specific places, I think more could have been discussed - or signposting to other sources which could have enabled women reading this book access other opportunities for their health care. I speak from experience of using dietary and herbal medicine to make a profound difference to the management of my endometriosis as well as learning to exercise smarter and when I am able to.

I appreciate all Naga has done to stimulate conversation around women's health care and how her interventions are changing practice for the better!

[Tilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

A good read, but not brilliant.
I was so excited for this book as I have endometriosis and adenomyosis among other chronic illnesses and so thought this would be an interesting read. Bear in mind I have read pretty much ever women's health and endometriosis book that is out there.

Unfortunately this just didn't give the level of medical information or depth that I was hoping for. I also felt the book leaned too heavily on case studies of women that had shared their stories, which became rather repetitive. I also generally didn't like how some of the medical information flowed. At one point it read saying that adenomyosis isn't cured by a hysterectomy (which it is), whereas what Naga Munchetty must have meant is that her case wouldn't be cured as it looks like she has endometriosis too. So it wasn't quite right.

This is a perfectly good book for women or especially young women who have little knowledge about women's health and illnesses and the current women's health crisis. Sadly for me though, I found it lacking and that there are other much better similar books out there.

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmm this book is full of insight but also quite heavy.

As someone who wants children, I found the chapters on fertility and pregnancy particularly tough to read. The stories shared were eye opening but also left me feeling a bit anxious. This might not be the best choice for people with existing health anxieties, as it doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities many women face when navigating the healthcare system!

One thing that stood out to me was how many of the people interviewed had to turn to private healthcare. What happens to all the people who can’t afford to go private? I think that’s part of the point the author is trying to make but at times it felt like the book wasn’t fully representative of the broader population.

Being a woman in today’s healthcare landscape is no easy task. This book is a powerful reminder of that and while it’s not exactly a comforting read, it is an important one.

[Agnes Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘i don’t want to be angry any more. i want to be heard without having to cry, beg or be made to feel weak. i want to be listened to. so many women before us have fought to be heard. so many continue to do so. we don’t choose to fight. we’d rather not fight’

an absolutely incredible book. so well researched and written with so much care and respect

[Emma Wheatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every girl and woman should read this. I’m shocked at how much I didn’t know.

[Lucy McNaughton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naga Munchetty’s book entitled ‘“It’s Probably Nothing”: Critical Conversations on the Women’s Health Crisis’ is essential reading for everyone. Recounting her own experiences being discarded, gaslit and not taken seriously by countless medical professionals, Munchetty highlights just how challenging it is to be a woman at the best of times, but particularly when trying to self-advocate for our health.

Upon receiving her diagnosis of adenomyosis, Munchetty has become a voice and spokesperson for women’s health, and how important it is to take women’s health seriously, from sexual and menstrual health, to our mental and general, physical wellbeing. Throughout this book, she speaks with medical professionals, hearing from those who work first hand in the medical field, what it takes to advocate for oneself and loved ones, and how women’s health is not just ‘in our heads’.

What I particularly liked about this book was how inclusive it was. Despite the focus being around women’s health, she also focuses on the struggles that transgender, non-binary and members of the LGBTQIA+ community face too, when it comes to their health and wellbeing. Overall, this book was incredibly well-researched, taking the time to cater for all voices and making sure that everyone would feel represented within this book.

[EmilyViolet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an important and empowering book for women.
It's from a British perspective so references the NHS a lot, but the health system in New Zealand is quite similar so a lot of the advice and issues are incredibly relevant and applicable. The entrenched patriarchy in medicine is so concerning and I didn't realise how bad it was until:
1. I started working in healthcare and saw how many women are struggling for support from the health system.
2. A surgeon tried to talk me out of getting a surgery because I'm a young woman so having a scar on my stomach might bother me more than the pain the surgery was going to fix.

This book was helpful and insightful in a time I've felt quite despondent with healthcare. I thought it might go more into the lack of research around women's health, but still really enjoyed the more personal angle and general advice on how to get the most of GP appointments, advocating for yourself, hormones, etc.

I'm recommending this daily to the women around me.

[Ellie (bookmadbarlow) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, but anger inducing book all about women's health and the issues that come across when things go wrong
Naga has really researched well, talking the professionals, but also providing advice on how to advocate for yourself and where to find your own guidance.
The was a few repetitive sections, but it was informative and was quite emotional in places.

[Kirti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profoundly open, honest and critical discussion on women’s health and the challenges faced by women of all ages relating to sexual and reproductive health. A must read for anyone who has a woman in their lives that they love.

[Soph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Naga for giving me the best education on women’s health ever !! not sure it’s what I expected the book to be but was interesting none the less, some bits felt a lil rushed and could have had a bit more depth but all in all very interesting !!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely critical book about advocating for yourself in medicine, medical misogyny and misogynoir as well as how to support those around you who need advocating for as well. A must read.

[Ellie Nodder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrifying. Enlightening. Self advocacy is so important. A must read for women of every age.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't want to be angry any more. I want to be heard without having to cry, beg or be made to feel weak. I want to be listened to.

2.5 stars. This is such an important topic, and hopefully this book will help other women, but the writing was so patronising. Constant instructions like "there's really no need to be embarrassed!" or "you mustn't be afraid to ask for a second opinion!" or "remind your loved ones that good health is important for a good quality of life!" felt like I was being jollied along by some no-nonsense 1950s matron.

I kept waiting for the critical conversations on the women's health crisis, as the subtitle promised, but they never materialised. There's scant data-backed information from studies and experts, and a whole slew of firsthand experiences. And while it's absolutely necessary to hear from women who have suffered and struggled, there comes a point where it's not actually helpful?

Also, the author seemed to treat this book as a platform to rant about her own negative experiences of adenomyosis and having a coil fitted. I lost count of the numerous times she described her symptoms in lurid detail, including how she moaned/screamed/shrieked in agony, or (and I'm hiding this under a spoiler tag for anyone of a more delicate disposition) her rectal pain, including this charming transcript of a message she sent a fellow adenomyosis sufferer:

Naga: Do you ever get the feeling of a hot poker being shoved up your anus which takes you by surprise to such an extent that you shriek and have no idea what is going on? [...] Every period, for two days, I would be wrapped around the toilet throwing up. It would be a combination of throwing up, blood clots falling out of me and shitting diarrhoea.

It just didn't feel appropriate, or even particularly relevant. I get that she's angry and frustrated and bitter that she wasn't diagnosed earlier, but this book wasn't the right place to constantly bring it up.

She brags that "I've always been someone who has never shied away from the idea of getting older or being older" but then contradicts herself later by saying "I was terrified about reaching menopause [because I] feared that I would be withered, washed up", and prefaced one of her most gruesome stories with this gem:

Not that I need to justify this, but I almost feel obliged to say that I have a very high pain threshold. I was not (well, I wasn't then) afraid of being in pain, if I knew that pain would be temporary. Nor am I squeamish. I just thought I'd put that out there before I tell you my story. Though it really shouldn't matter either way.

 
If it doesn't matter, then don't include it.

There were also lots of sweeping generalisations -- the author "honestly believes" all medical practitioners want to heal, all mothers want what's best for their children, and we all experience urinary incontinence (?!? speak for yourself...). And little mistakes e.g. when talking about a urethral bulking injection to help with incontinence, it's described as bulking out the uterus rather than the urethra.

So yeah, not the scientific evidence-based read I was hoping for, and very little advice that I felt would be genuinely helpful when it comes to advocating for my own health. But if the stories benefit other readers with identifying their condition (or even just reassuring them that they're not alone) then that can only be a good thing.

[Sophie Pook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book… wow. It’s Probably Nothing is one of the most powerful and eye-opening reads I’ve picked up in a long time. Naga Munchetty explores women’s health, pain, and the constant battle to be listened to and taken seriously—and I found myself relating to so much of it.

It’s raw, honest, and deeply personal, but it also feels universal. So many of the experiences she talks about—the dismissal, the frustration, the self-doubt—are things so many of us have felt but rarely see spoken about so openly. There were so many moments where I thought, “Yes, this. This is exactly how it feels.”

I truly believe this is a book every woman should read at least once in their lifetime. It’s informative, validating, and incredibly empowering, reminding us just how important it is to advocate for ourselves and for each other.

Naga’s writing is engaging and heartfelt, and she manages to balance real vulnerability with strength in a way that left me feeling both understood and inspired. This isn’t just a book—it’s a reminder that our voices matter and our experiences are valid.

I closed the final page feeling emotional, seen, and grateful. An absolutely brilliant read and one I’ll be recommending to everyone.

[Sara]

I don't rate non fiction.

As someone who works in healthcare and also identifies as a woman, I know first hand the inequalities faced by women in the medical world. Gaslighting. Ignored. Symptoms downplayed. No pain relief. I and ma y others have experienced it all. So in many ways, I'm not really the target audience for Naga Munchetty's book as I knew a lot of it already and she actually references books I've already read or got on my tbr (such as Unwell Women: Misdiagnosis and Myth in a Man-Made World). This does get quite repetitive at times too with a heavy focus on endometriosis and adenomyosis (which thankfully I do not suffer from). While interesting and insightful to read it didn't really add anything to my view on women in healthcare.

Some heartrending stories, and an obviously very important message to get out there, but I didn't really get what I wanted out of this. I think I need to do my own further reading.

[Jaymi Boswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot stop raving about this book to everyone woman I know nor can I stop forcing my daughter to listen to me talk about it. She is shocked that I'm shocked by the things that I learned in this book. I'm 51 and I feel like I'm from this in between world of feminism and the land before feminism. My boomer mom believes everything fed to her by the patriarchy and so that is what I have been taught. I was taught bodies and nudity are shameful so having any female concerns was disgusting. You wouldn't dare go to the doctor to discuss that with a man. I was not allowed to speak anatomically correct. My vagina was called "my privates". You'd never say boob and I was not allowed to say butt. It had to be bottom.

Rant aside, I am forever grateful for this book. It's given me the courage to make an appointment to see my doctor about these crazy perimenopause symptoms.

Thank you Naga. You don't know what you've done here.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly well researched and also incredibly inclusive. Going into this book I thought it would mainly centre around endo, adeno and pcos so I was pleasantly surprised and pleased to see sections on mental health, neurodivergence (highlighting the effects on late diagnosed women), asexuality and dementia. I loved hearing from doctors and learning about others perspectives, even though what they went through was horrific it did make me feel less alone? But also infuriated that this is going on all around the country for all aspects of women’s health. It’s also nice for a lot of light to be shone on adenomyosis after Naga’s diagnosis. I’m so glad this book exists, it’s so necessary right now and I’m glad Naga is using her platform to highlight these issues! I cannot recommend this book more!

[Felicity · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this for my birthday as I have recently been diagnosed with a condition which has been affecting me for a few years.

This book is about the gender health gap which sadly still exists. Naga Munchetty was suffering with adenomyosis for years before she was diagnosed. She interviews patients and doctors about their own experiences and their advice to women.

I learned some useful things from this book and will certainly keep it to refer to when I get to certain landmarks in my life but it did get a bit repetitive at times and I knew some of it already. I was shocked by a few stories I have to say and although things are improving it is happening far too slowly.

A useful book which arms you with clear questions to ask your doctor and to keep questioning if you know something is wrong. The list of hormonal conditions was very interesting too.

[Emma Hollingworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by a colleague after experiencing lots of women’s health issues myself and bonding with her struggles too. This book has helped me enormously in terms of making me feel normal in my concerns and empowering me with having conversations with my GP.
This isn’t meant to replace medical advice but it gives a feminist lense view of women’s health from all angles- this book really is for every woman, or person with female anatomy and every other person who loves someone with female anatomy’s to help them understand.
I will whole heartedly recommend this book to everyone- necessary, scary, emotional, empowering and uplifting all at once- just like the rollercoaster of hormones 😂

[RecycledWords · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think my rating for It's Probably Nothing is likely skewed by my excitement to read it. I had very high expectations as I have always found Munchetty's journalism to he insightful and sincere.

Sadly, this was mostly a rehash of things I already know albeit peppered with real life stories. There was a fair bit of repetition within the book which I also found unnecessary.

There were great points made about the failures in women's health provisions and reminders to advocate for yourself when you're not being heard. However, this book is clearly aimed more at the clueless newcomer to the topic rather than someone wanting a more in depth review of the issues.

[Chris Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well-written, clearly organised book which should empower more women to have the knowledge and confidence to advocate for themselves, or their friends. The out-of-date male dominated health service needs a revolution such as that advocated in this book.

As each section, examples and themes are so clearly signposted, I read most of the book, skimming over parts less relevant to my situation.

I applaud Naga Munchetty's courage and expertise in creating this vital source of information and encouragement.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been so informative, but the tone is condescending from the first paragraph. The author doesn’t seem to decide if it’s a personal account or if she is writing as a journalist, if it’s supposed to be empowering or a collection of horror stories. Also, spare me the Greys Anatomy and Fleabag recommendations while presenting your politics as medical fact (late term abortion justification). If you know nothing about women’s health disparities, start here. Otherwise there are better books.

[Uzoamaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Empowering book about how women can advocate for themselves for a better life. All about women’s health and the journey some have gone through to discovery, diagnosis and living with it or recovering from it. Naga shares her story throughout as a way to move along the chapters and it is very useful especially as she’s from a minority background. I love how it ends with the need to share- our story, our knowledge in raising awareness and being helpful to others because we’re not alone!

Be aware of misinformation so do check it’s from a credited source.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about women's health. Naga shares her own health issues a well as other women's stories. A great book which gives you lots of information about women's health issues. The main take away from this book is that you know your body better than anyone else. If something doesn't feel right, you need to advocate for yourself. This book is a great way to educate yourself on what you can ask for. Essential reading for everyone.

[Olivia Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and important and overdue. On a personal level, as someone who has had their world turned upside down by endometriosis for years, it’s made me feel seen and supported and given me some much-needed “wind back in my sails”. Thank you Naga Munchetty. A must-read for all women and anyone who loves women.

[grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear overview of the state of women’s healthcare in the United Kingdom BUT I really think that it would’ve benefitted from diving deeper into the class aspects of the system. A lot of the women in the case studies receive their diagnosis through private healthcare, but that’s a fairytale for a lot of British women. Maybe a sequel is needed?

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that is was a very good book.
I may have been a little bit young for it as most of tje problems are in tje distant future for me however I was MOST shocked when j heard about tje hesrt attack symptoms! Did you know that women are 70% more likely to die of a heart attack becuase tjere symptoms are misdiagnosed! I was never taught this in school - and I still am in school!!! Enraging!

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grim reading, but informative and validating - it covers a wide variety of health conditions, including endometriosis, PCOS, Hashimotos, cancer as well as people's experience with contraception, pregnancy, perimenopause and mental health, including neurodivergence.

The feeling of being ignored or dismissed is awful, and research is severely lacking. Change is much-needed.