The gender pain gap: why women's pain still isn't taken seriously

Hey Sister! Let's get real about something that's been ignored for far too long: the gender pain gap. It's 2025, and yet, when Australian women seek medical care, they're still less likely to receive proper pain relief compared to men.

Yep, you read that right.

Research has consistently shown that women's pain is taken less seriously, leading to delays in diagnosis and inadequate treatment. So, why is this happening? And more importantly, what can we do about it?

Let's dive in.

Women experience more pain – but receive less treatment

In Australia, chronic pain is a significant issue affecting a substantial portion of the population. According to the Australian Physiotherapy Association, women have a higher prevalence of pain than men, with the incidence increasing into adolescence¹.

Despite this higher prevalence, women's pain is often under-treated. A report by the National Women's Health Advisory Council revealed that two-thirds of Australian women have experienced bias or discrimination in healthcare settings, leading to misdiagnoses and inadequate treatment².

The 'it's all in your head' problem

The gender pain gap isn't just about statistics; it's about perceptions. Studies have shown that healthcare providers are more likely to attribute women's pain to emotional or psychological factors rather than physical causes³.

For example, a study analysing gender-based differences in pain management in emergency departments found that women were less likely to receive adequate analgesia for acute abdominal pain compared to men⁴.

Why are women's pain complaints ignored?

Several factors contribute to the dismissal of women's pain:

Historical biases

Historically, women's health issues have often been written off as "hysteria" – a term derived from the Greek word for "womb."

Underrepresentation in research

Women have been underrepresented in medical research, leading to a lack of understanding of female-specific health issues⁵.

Unconscious biases

Healthcare providers may have unconscious biases that lead them to take women's pain less seriously².

The real-life consequences of the gender pain gap

When women's pain isn't taken seriously, the consequences can be severe:

Delayed diagnoses

Conditions like endometriosis, which affects one in nine Australian women, often go undiagnosed for years. In Tasmania, the average time to diagnose endometriosis is a decade⁶.

Financial burden

Chronic health conditions can lead to significant financial strain. For example, Alyse Bradley, a 37-year-old Australian woman, has incurred over $400,000 in expenses managing conditions like endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain⁷.

Mental health impact

Being dismissed or not taken seriously can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and depression⁸.

How do we close the gender pain gap?

Here's the good news: things are changing. More women are speaking out, and more research is being done to understand women's pain properly. But we've still got a long way to go.

Here's what needs to happen:

More research on women's pain

Women need to be properly represented in medical research and clinical trials. No more "one-size-fits-men" treatments!

Better education for healthcare providers

Doctors and nurses need training to recognise and address unconscious bias when treating pain.

Empowering women to advocate for themselves

If a doctor dismisses your pain, push back. Ask for a second opinion. Keep asking questions. Your pain is real, and you deserve to have it taken seriously.

Systemic change in healthcare policies

Hospitals and medical institutions must implement pain management protocols that ensure equal treatment, regardless of gender.

Hey Sister! is with you

At Hey Sister!, we know how exhausting it can be to fight for your pain to be taken seriously. Your pain is real. And you deserve to have it recognised, treated, and managed with the care and respect you need.

Let's keep pushing for change, together. 

References

1. Australian Physiotherapy Association. Five facts about sex and gender disparities in pain. Available at: https://australian.physio/inmotion/five-facts-about-sex-and-gender-disparities-pain
2. The Advertiser. Why is there so much gender bias in healthcare?. Available at: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/gender-bias-in-healthcare/news-story/0b2f5502befab85fc7076c69ab531a41
3. PubMed. Sex and gender differences in pain. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36038207/
4. Herald Sun. More than 'just bad periods': Tassie's diagnosis challenge. Available at: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/tasmania/the-painful-disease-endometriosis-is-taking-on-average-a-decade-to-diagnose/news-story/53bccb4f3ac62d60b71377cd863cbae7
5. Australian Pain Society. Global year about sex, gender, and pain disparities. Available at: https://apsoc.org.au/PDF/GYAP/2024_GY_about_Sex-Gender-Disparities-Pain/FS6_Global_Year_2024_gender-differences-in-pain-2024-fact-sheet.pdf
6. News.com.au. Devastating: Australians lift lid on life-threatening national medical crisis. Available at: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/devastating-australians-lift-lid-on-life-threatening-national-medical-crisis/news-story/8519b1a57bcec82dbabddd009d1888d9
7. The Guardian. How much does the gender health gap cost? For Alyse, it's $400,000. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/12/alyses-chronic-health-conditions-have-cost-her-400000-doctors-say-the-system-unfairly-penalises-women
8. Victorian Government. Inquiry into women's pain in Australia. Available at: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/inquiry-into-womens-pain