Why We Must Close the Gender Pain Gap: Your Pain is Valid
I’ve had the privilege—and the heartbreak—of hearing countless stories from women who’ve experienced medical trauma. These stories aren’t just anecdotes; they’re powerful testimonies that highlight the urgent need to close the gender pain gap. The recurring theme? Women’s pain is often dismissed, leading to lasting trauma and, in some cases, life-altering consequences. Here, I share some of these stories with the hope of validating your experiences and advocating for better care.
A Life-Altering Misdiagnosis
One Reddit user, u/Tiredjp, recounts their repeated visits to the GP and A&E for severe pain, only to be brushed off with explanations like kidney stones, IBS, or pregnancy. The real culprit? A ruptured ovarian teratoma the size of a grapefruit. It’s horrifying to think that a life-threatening condition was nearly overlooked due to the dismissal of their pain.
The Agony of Self-Advocacy
Lonely-86, a woman between 30 and 40, endured excruciating pain from ovarian torsions. Despite undergoing numerous tests, she was initially misdiagnosed and prescribed antibiotics. It was only after advocating for herself—despite being dismissed as overreacting—that a consultant finally identified a 10cm cyst. This story underscores the importance of self-advocacy, but it also highlights the emotional and physical toll it takes.
The Physical and Emotional Toll of Chronic Conditions
Melanie, Co-founder and COO of AIMA, shared three separate incidents of medical trauma. From enduring painful, undiagnosed conditions to invasive procedures without proper pain management, her experiences paint a grim picture of the healthcare system. Her stories of a cystoscopy without lubrication, an IUD removal without anesthesia, and medical students prodding her spleen without consent, all emphasize a disturbing lack of empathy and care.
The Emergency Room Nightmare
Another user, Dependent_Muffin8753, went to urgent care for what she believed was a gallbladder attack, only to discover she had an ectopic pregnancy. Despite the severity of her condition, she was sent home from the ER because she wasn't "actively dying." This neglect forced her to frantically find an OB who could provide the necessary treatment. The negligence she faced is a stark reminder of how women's pain and medical concerns are often trivialized.
The Lasting Impact of Gyn Procedures
Many women shared their traumatic experiences with gynecological procedures. TheBirdTM spoke of a gynecologist who dismissed her pain and failed to diagnose her PCOS until much later. silentinthemrning and butterfly_moth described the agony of colposcopies and IUD insertions, procedures that left lasting psychological scars. These experiences highlight a significant issue: the lack of sensitivity and adequate pain management in women’s health care.
Medical PTSD: A Common Thread
Medical PTSD is a recurrent theme in these stories. From the invasive exams and dismissive attitudes to the failure to provide adequate pain relief, these experiences leave lasting scars. JecaMetta shared how medical trauma from gynecology visits led to severe PTSD, making it difficult to even enter a medical setting without panic attacks. This sentiment is echoed by many women who now avoid necessary medical care due to past trauma.
Why We Must Act
These stories are more than just personal experiences—they’re evidence of a systemic problem in the healthcare industry. The gender pain gap is real and pervasive, leading to misdiagnoses, inadequate treatment, and lasting trauma. It’s crucial that we listen to these stories, validate these experiences, and push for systemic changes in how women’s pain is treated.
Closing the Gender Pain Gap
Closing the gender pain gap starts with believing women when they describe their pain. It involves training healthcare professionals to recognize and address gender biases. Implementing protocols that ensure women receive appropriate pain management and empathetic care is essential. Encouraging self-advocacy and supporting women in their healthcare journeys can also make a significant difference.
Your Pain is Valid
If you’ve experienced medical trauma, know that your pain is valid. You are not alone, and your experiences matter. Sharing these stories is a step toward change, and it’s a reminder that we must continue to advocate for better, more compassionate healthcare for all women.
Let’s work together to close the gender pain gap, ensuring that every woman receives the care and respect she deserves. Your pain is real, your voice is powerful, and your health is worth fighting for.
As a woman with a background in journalism and health, I’ve had the privilege—and the heartbreak—of hearing countless stories from women who’ve experienced medical trauma. These stories aren’t just anecdotes; they’re powerful testimonies that highlight the urgent need to close the gender pain gap. The recurring theme? Women’s pain is often dismissed, leading to lasting trauma and, in some cases, life-altering consequences. Here, I share some of these stories with the hope of validating your experiences and advocating for better care.
A Life-Altering Misdiagnosis
One Reddit user, u/Tiredjp, recounts their repeated visits to the GP and A&E for severe pain, only to be brushed off with explanations like kidney stones, IBS, or pregnancy. The real culprit? A ruptured ovarian teratoma the size of a grapefruit. It’s horrifying to think that a life-threatening condition was nearly overlooked due to the dismissal of their pain.
The Agony of Self-Advocacy
Lonely-86, a woman between 30 and 40, endured excruciating pain from ovarian torsions. Despite undergoing numerous tests, she was initially misdiagnosed and prescribed antibiotics. It was only after advocating for herself—despite being dismissed as overreacting—that a consultant finally identified a 10cm cyst. This story underscores the importance of self-advocacy, but it also highlights the emotional and physical toll it takes.
The Physical and Emotional Toll of Chronic Conditions
Melanie, who prefers to remain anonymous, shared three separate incidents of medical trauma. From enduring painful, undiagnosed conditions to invasive procedures without proper pain management, her experiences paint a grim picture of the healthcare system. Her stories of a cystoscopy without lubrication, an IUD removal without anesthesia, and medical students prodding her spleen without consent, all emphasize a disturbing lack of empathy and care.
The Emergency Room Nightmare
Another user, Dependent_Muffin8753, went to urgent care for what she believed was a gallbladder attack, only to discover she had an ectopic pregnancy. Despite the severity of her condition, she was sent home from the ER because she wasn't "actively dying." This neglect forced her to frantically find an OB who could provide the necessary treatment. The negligence she faced is a stark reminder of how women's pain and medical concerns are often trivialized.
The Lasting Impact of Gyn Procedures
Many women shared their traumatic experiences with gynecological procedures. TheBirdTM spoke of a gynecologist who dismissed her pain and failed to diagnose her PCOS until much later. silentinthemrning and butterfly_moth described the agony of colposcopies and IUD insertions, procedures that left lasting psychological scars. These experiences highlight a significant issue: the lack of sensitivity and adequate pain management in women’s health care.
Medical PTSD: A Common Thread
Medical PTSD is a recurrent theme in these stories. From the invasive exams and dismissive attitudes to the failure to provide adequate pain relief, these experiences leave lasting scars. JecaMetta shared how medical trauma from gynecology visits led to severe PTSD, making it difficult to even enter a medical setting without panic attacks. This sentiment is echoed by many women who now avoid necessary medical care due to past trauma.
Why We Must Act
These stories are more than just personal experiences—they’re evidence of a systemic problem in the healthcare industry. The gender pain gap is real and pervasive, leading to misdiagnoses, inadequate treatment, and lasting trauma. It’s crucial that we listen to these stories, validate these experiences, and push for systemic changes in how women’s pain is treated.
Closing the Gender Pain Gap
Closing the gender pain gap starts with believing women when they describe their pain. It involves training healthcare professionals to recognize and address gender biases. Implementing protocols that ensure women receive appropriate pain management and empathetic care is essential. Encouraging self-advocacy and supporting women in their healthcare journeys can also make a significant difference.
Your Pain is Valid
If you’ve experienced medical trauma, know that your pain is valid. You are not alone, and your experiences matter. Sharing these stories is a step toward change, and it’s a reminder that we must continue to advocate for better, more compassionate healthcare for all women.
Let’s work together to close the gender pain gap, ensuring that every woman receives the care and respect she deserves. Your pain is real, your voice is powerful, and your health is worth fighting for.