The Medical Gender Gap: Why Women’s Pain Is Often Dismissed

Laura Whitmore | February 10, 2025

How systemic bias in medicine leaves millions of women suffering in silence—and what needs to change From unexplained chronic pain to delayed diagnoses of debilitating conditions, countless women across the globe share a common story: their symptoms are not taken seriously. This phenomenon—known as the medical gender gap—refers to the disparities in how men’s and women’s health concerns are evaluated, diagnosed, and treated. While science continues to advance, women remain more likely to have their pain dismissed, misdiagnosed, or psychologized, particularly in conditions like fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and autoimmune disorders.

The History of Dismissal: It’s Not Just in Your Head

Historically, women’s health complaints have been attributed to emotional or psychological causes rather than legitimate physical conditions. According to a 2022 report from the Journal of Women’s Health, women in emergency rooms are less likely than men to receive pain medication for the same reported levels of discomfort (Samulowitz et al., 2022). They’re also more likely to be told that their symptoms are due to stress, anxiety, or hormonal changes.

Dr. Jennifer Gunter, OB-GYN and author of The Vagina Bible, explains, “There’s a long-standing bias in medicine that equates femininity with exaggeration. That legacy has led to countless women being gaslit by the very systems designed to help them.” This issue isn’t simply anecdotal—it’s measurable in diagnostics, prescriptions, and long-term health outcomes.

Chronic Conditions That Are Common—Yet Under-Researched

Two of the most under-recognized conditions affecting women are fibromyalgia and endometriosis. Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 75–90% women, causing widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues. Despite its prevalence, the cause remains poorly understood, and many women wait years for a formal diagnosis. Research in The Lancet Rheumatology (2020) notes a significant gap in physician training on diagnosing chronic pain in women, leading to under-treatment and mislabeling as psychological distress.

Endometriosis—a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus—affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, yet it takes an average of 7–10 years to be diagnosed. Dr. Tracey Haas, a family medicine physician and women’s health researcher, notes that “many women are told their period pain is ‘normal’ or they’re just overly sensitive. In reality, endometriosis can be as painful as cancer, and yet it’s often minimized.”

Breaking the Silence: Why Listening Matters

The first step in addressing the gender pain gap is to believe women when they report symptoms. Studies from BMJ Open (2021) confirm that patients who feel heard by their providers are more likely to adhere to treatment and experience better outcomes. But when women’s pain is ignored, it doesn’t just delay care—it can lead to long-term disability and emotional trauma.

Medical education must do more to include sex- and gender-specific research, particularly in specialties like pain management, neurology, and gynecology. Dr. Tia Powell, director of the Center for Bioethics at Montefiore Medical Center, argues, “Medical bias doesn’t only come from a lack of data—it also comes from a lack of empathy. We need to train doctors to listen better and treat more equitably.”

A New Era of Awareness and Advocacy

Change is slowly happening. More women are advocating for themselves and each other—sharing stories online, seeking second opinions, and pushing for better research funding. Platforms that promote women-led wellness, hormone-friendly care, pelvic health products, diagnostic testing kits, pain management tools, and education-focused health tech are gaining momentum.

Support from the commercial world is also key. Advertisers and brands that cater to women’s chronic health, menstrual care, mental well-being, and personalized medicine can play an important role in bridging the gap. By amplifying the voices of women and validating their pain, these products and services contribute to a healthcare system that finally sees women for who they are: informed, credible, and deserving of full care.

📚 Sources

Samulowitz, A., et al. (2022). Gender bias in the assessment of pain: A review of medical literature and implications for practice. Journal of Women’s Health, 31(3), 240–248. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jwh.2021.0197
The Lancet Rheumatology. (2020). Gender differences in chronic pain diagnosis and treatment. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe
BMJ Open. (2021). Listening and health outcomes: A qualitative review. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e045354
Gunter, J. (2019). The Vagina Bible. Kensington Publishing.
Endometriosis UK. (2023). The reality of endometriosis: Diagnosis delay and stigma. https://www.endometriosis-uk.org