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Article created by: Gabija Palšytė

I saw a joke on the internet the other day saying that Man-Flu is more painful than childbirth. While some may find that funny, or sarcastic, women's pain is no laughing matter. Research reveals that there are actually major discrepancies when it comes to how doctors treat women versus their male counterparts.

One study found that female patients are consistently LESS likely to be prescribed pain medication than men. Experts blame this blatant bias on the myth that women have a higher pain threshold, and beliefs that they exaggerate their pain. But either way, they're being made to suffer... quite unnecessarily.

A recent TikTok video highlighting the sex bias in pain management clocked up thousands of reactions. It was mainly women who commented about how they find it, quite literally, painfully relatable. Many shared their own personal experiences of being overlooked by healthcare professionals. From receiving paracetamol after a C-section, to getting Tylenol for a shattered elbow. Some of these stories might be hard to stomach. But we have put together a list of the most startling ones, to draw attention to what one person has called a public health crisis.

#1

Woman in a cozy sweater looking distressed, illustrating unfair treatment from doctors impacting women's health and emotions. Watching the treatment my husband received for his vasectomy versus the way my pain was treated before, during, and after being pregnant/birth haunts me.

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    #2

    Newborn baby held by medical staff with mother resting after delivery, highlighting unfair treatment from doctors toward women. Husbands vasectomy got him twice as much oxy prescribed as my cesarean. He was told bedrest then low activity.. I was given a newborn and told to get up. 👍 this is our reality

    user19016559835124 , Jonathan Borba Report

    #3

    Male doctor in white coat discussing medical documents with female patient, highlighting unfair treatment from doctors. The only way my older sister was able to get a certain medicine was by sending her husband in instead, so he claimed he had bronchitis and he got the medication she had been asking ages for

    shanks wife , JSB Co. Report

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    #4

    Surgeon wearing protective gear performing a medical procedure in an operating room, highlighting unfair treatment from doctors. I audit over 2100 randomly selected surgeries every year, I follow pre, intra and post. The study is correct. For the same procedure a male will get up to 3 pain scripts. Women 0-1. Data.

    kerrymenopause🇨🇦 , Anna Shvets Report

    #5

    Patient receiving dental treatment from a doctor wearing gloves and a hair cover, highlighting unfair treatment from doctors. I had internal bleeding, ruptured organ, I was actively dying, vomiting blood.. and they refused to give me anything more than a few endone. it lasted two days, worse than child birth. my bf had his tooth removed and he was given months supply of endone and valium.. even he noticed how bad drs treat women.

    Nixie , Shedrack Salami Report

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    #6

    Woman in a yellow sweater holding her head, upset and emotional due to unfair treatment from doctors. brought my mom to the er for INTENSE pain, they said stomach bug. week later went to diff ER, she apparently had an acute kidney infection that almost turned septic. didn’t take her seriously at all

    seraphinum , Getty Images Report

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    #7

    Doctor in white coat and glasses looking away, symbolizing unfair treatment from doctors in medical settings. I had an ovarian cyst that burst, Dr told me it was probably just constipation.

    user1236269626366 Report

    #8

    Woman sitting in hospital waiting room looking concerned while doctor stands nearby holding medical files, unfair treatment. A couple weeks ago I went to the er for kidney pain as I have a small kidney that often gets stones. A man infront of me also had kidney stone symptoms. He was sent straight to the dr to be put on IV fluids to help flush his kidneys. Me however with pre existing kidney issues was sat in a waiting room for 5 hours, told to keep hydrated and come back if it gets worse. Had to ask to have my cannula removed as they forgot. He walks out, fully hydrated , given pain meds and never had to sit in the waiting room.

    hakuna_matataakasplash , RDNE Stock project Report

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    #9

    Woman with tattooed arms covering her face in frustration, symbolizing unfair treatment from doctors experienced by women. I went to the doctor for excruciating pain in my side and trouble breathing. the doctor told me "toughen up princess, have some panadol and you'll be okay". I had to call an ambulance that same night

    Deanna , Blake Cheek Report

    #10

    Two surgeons in green scrubs performing surgery under bright operating room lights, highlighting unfair treatment from doctors. The way they literally do a c section that goes through skin, muscle, fat and what ever else they go through and only give you paracetamol after

    jullian , engin akyurt Report

    #11

    Female doctor using stethoscope to examine woman patient in clinic highlighting unfair treatment from doctors. My gallbladder was so scarred and inflamed it was literally fusing to my other organs and for three years I was told “it’s probably just stress!”

    devdevjol , Antoni Shkraba Studio Report

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    #12

    Woman covering her face in distress, symbolizing unfair treatment from doctors causing emotional frustration. My cousin puked all day everyday for 6+ months. She threw up so much she lost 100 pounds. Anytime she went to the ER they accused her of drug seeking. She looked emaciated, they still didn’t listen.

    Melissa , MART PRODUCTION Report

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    #13

    Doctor in green scrubs with stethoscope and arms crossed, representing unfair treatment from doctors toward women. I had a heart condition that was misdiagnosed as anxiety and depression until 28yo. I have zero faith in doctors.

    Ally Scholl , Kaboompics.com Report

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    #14

    Woman sitting on bed hugging knees with eyes closed, depicting unfair treatment from doctors causing distress. I was in extreme pain from a kidney stone and a male doctor told me “oh it can’t hurt that bad” I asked him if he had ever had one and he said no

    caitlin._.1110 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

    #15

    Woman in bed holding her head in frustration, illustrating unfair treatment from doctors causing distress. I had a surgery and a male nurse didn't give me oxygen even after the anesthesiologist said I need extra oxygen. And yes anesthesiologist was a woman. I cried and tried to breathe in bed for 3 days

    Alishya , Curated Lifestyle Report

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    #16

    Close-up of colorful candies scattered on a surface representing unfair treatment from doctors affecting women. I was given a mint after my IUD insertion. Nothing else during before or after

    Autumn , Customerbox Report

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    #17

    Two doctors in surgical scrubs and masks focused on a procedure, illustrating unfair treatment from doctors toward women. Major abdominal surgery and they tried to send me home w Tylenol. I fought back. It’s utterly ridiculous

    SamTheDog , Павел Сорокин Report

    #18

    Young woman in hospital bed holding newborn baby, symbolizing unfair treatment from doctors affecting women. I pushed out an 8lb 10oz baby.
    I got Tylenol.

    cynmatters , Wesley Tingey Report

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    #19

    Elderly woman in wheelchair in a dim hospital corridor facing unfair treatment from doctors and neglect. The fight I had with doctors to advocate for a 85yo woman with shingles and demintia, she thought she was having a heart attack from the pain. They were worried she’d get addicted.

    Madzy , Harry cao Report

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