The wage gap difference between men and women tends to get the most attention when comparing sexes, but it’s certainly not the only realm where men and women are treated differently. Men and women are also unfortunately treated differently when it comes to chronic pain management. We do our best to really listen to each of our patients and provide them with the right individual treatment plan, but that’s not the reality that many other chronic pain patients face.

That difference in pain care between sexes was made evident in a recent study published in November 2022 called the Gender Pain Gap Index Report. The study was conducted by the manufacturers of the painkiller Nurofen, and it surveyed more than 5,000 men and women about their experiences and perceptions of pain. Here’s a closer look at some of the findings from the report:

• 50 percent of women reported a lack of support from their general practitioner when asking for help with pain. Only 36 percent of men responded similarly.

• 56 percent of women said they felt ignored or believed they were being dismissed as “emotional.” 49 percent of men felt the same.

• 63 percent of women said they felt men’s pain is taken more seriously due to “gender discrimination by healthcare professionals.” Only 39 percent of men said that they believed that a gender pain gap existed.

• 74 percent of women regularly chose self-care over seeing a healthcare provider. 60 percent of men said the same.

It’s truly unfortunate that so many women feel that they are not getting the care they hoped to receive from their healthcare provider, and it’s even more disheartening to hear that many feel that their concerns were ignored because of their sex. Every patient deserves to be listened to and to be treated by a physician who is going to go the extra mile for them.

We try to do that for every patient, and we know that it’s not easy. Sometimes that involves switching treatments because the first route was ineffective, while other times it means saying longer with a patient in the exam room to really get to the bottom of their symptoms and try to understand what they are going through physically, mentally and emotionally to treat all aspects of pain. Again, it’s rarely easy, but it’s worth it because we know firsthand how debilitating chronic pain can be and how amazing it can be to reclaim your independence from your condition.

If you want to connect with a physician that will make you feel heard, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team at (952) 738-4520.