From Heart Disease to IUDs: How Doctors Dismiss Women's Pain

Question 1

Sickle cell disease

Answer 1

An inherited blood disorder that can cause severe pain and suffering. The attacks are referred to as “pain crises.”

Question 2

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Answer 2

Is a connective tissue disorder often causing loose joints, dislocations and chronic pain

Question 3

Summary

Answer 3

Several studies support the claim that gender bias in medicine routinely leads to denial of pain relief for female patients for a range of health conditions

Question 4

Why are women’s pain compliants not taken seriously?

Answer 4

• Women are not believed about their bodies
• This pain gap may stem from the fact that women have historically been excluded from medical research
• It wasn’t until 2016 that NIH required sex to be considered as a biological variable in most studies it funded
• Sex and gender differences education currently isn’t enough to prepare future med students

Question 5

How can women advocate for better pain care?

Answer 5

• Keep advocating
• Go to a new provider if your current one doesn’t believe in you