We have been taught that science is rational and binary, yet medicine can never be truly objective – it resides at the heart of a society and strikes at the core of what it means to be human. In a discipline devoted to caring for the vulnerable, many have been let down, repeatedly ignored and written off due to prejudices deeply engrained in our society. Medicine will always reflect our values, therefore as we move away from the paternalistic doctor, and towards patient-centred care where we are listened to and believed, it’s important to remember where the roots of medicine come from to better understand why so many women have been and still are mistreated.