Study after study shows that women’s complaints of pain are taken less seriously, resulting in less aggressive treatment across the board. Why does this happen?
“Female pain is often seen as normal and ironically this could be why it has not been taken more seriously” says pain researcher Dr. Ed Keogh (Photos: Shutterstock)
Miri Chevins hobbled into Dr. Abram’s office. He looked at her test results prodded her back in several spots and said “Carry on with the Motrin and the stretching exercises I showed you. I know it’s frustrating to be out of commission but we need to give it more time before taking aggressive action.”
“But when my husband strained his back you gave him Vicodin for the pain even though his tests didn’t show anything wrong.”
Dr. Abram blinked. It was true. But he felt that men don’t exaggerate their pain like women and research shows that men go to the doctor only when there’s no other choice.
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