Medical bias is an unfortunate reality in healthcare.
In one study published by the National Library of Medicine, researchers found that of the nearly 1,000 emergency room visits investigated, women with acute abdominal pain were about 25% less likely than men to be prescribed opioid painkillers.
Another found that middle-aged women who presented with chest pain and other symptoms indicative of heart disease were twice as likely to be diagnosed with mental illness than men who showed up with the same symptoms.
A common thread in these biases? Women’s pain is often not taken as seriously as men’s. And this concept rang especially true when a user on Mastodon — a social sharing platform similar to X (formerly known as Twitter) — shared the story of a woman who got a root canal done on the same day as her husband. Both were treated by the same doctor, and yet he was prescribed Percocet for the pain, while she was prescribed ibuprofen.
The post later went viral on Twitter, reaching over 4.5 million views, and hundreds of women tapped in with their own stories.
I had all 4 taken out at once and they gave me some damn 800mg. I was miserable. My little brother got percs when he only got one removed so now I’m invested in this. https://t.co/eQ4oBN7blv
— tiffany (@tiffanyanders_) March 25, 2023
Some report only being given Tylenol following wisdom teeth removal.
When I got my wisdom teeth out, the doctor told me to take some Tylenol.
— 𝙻𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚍𝙰𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎 (@LeaveHeardAlone) March 25, 2023
One person was told by a male physician that pain medication wasn’t “required” for her cervical biopsy — you know, the procedure where a piece of you is literally cut off for testing.
I recall being told by a male physician when having a cervical biopsy that “no pain medication required” and the attending nurse whispering to me “it will hurt, but he thinks women can deal with it”.It hurt like hell
— Dr Audrey Glover (@DrAudreyGlover) March 25, 2023
This person was getting breast surgery when she alerted her doctor to the pain she was experiencing. “He laughed and said it was just pressure, not really pain and it was my imagination,” they said.
Had a breast surgery and when I told the surgeon it hurt, that I could still feel extreme pain when he cut, he laughed and said it was just pressure, not really pain and it was my imagination.
— csckirk (@csckirk) March 25, 2023
Another doctor apparently “forgot” to give this guy’s wife an epidural during labor.
I remember when the doctors “forgot” to give my wife an epidural during the birth of our first child. Afterwards they actually admitted the “mistake” but said she handled the pain well.😐
— AllBlkEverything (@JustABlackMan39) March 25, 2023
Throughout the comment section, plenty of people shared stories where doctors commended them on foregoing pain relief when they were never made aware that this was an option.
And it’s even worse for black women. When I had complications after my tonsillectomy I had to get my throat cauterized in office. After they told me “you’re so strong, you didn’t even need the numbing meds” I was confused that they didn’t even offer it in the first place. https://t.co/St4B6x9Rw3
— Aziza spelled backwards (@CuredByTheBLood) March 25, 2023
It’s a reminder of how important advocating for yourself truly is.
Was bitten by a dog & went to ER. The doctor asked if he could “probe” the wound. I said sure- just as soon as you numb it with lidocaine or some other anesthetic. He seemed surprised. At least he asked firstI wonder how many patients just say “yes” without knowing their…
— Following political money (so you don’t have to) (@LoriSaldanaSD) March 25, 2023
What are your thoughts? Has a doctor ever dismissed your pain? Let us know in the comments.