A recent study published in 2025 in the journal Medicina highlights the disparity in how pain is perceived and treated among men and women in medical settings. It found that women are more likely to have their pain underestimated, receive less analgesia, and have their symptoms attributed to emotional factors, despite reporting pain levels that are equal to or surpassing those of men. This pattern appears consistently across various medical scenarios, from emergency situations to post-operative care and gynecological procedures, indicating that the issue is complex and not solely explained by biological differences.

The research suggests that implicit biases, gaps in clinical protocols, and longstanding stereotypes contribute to unequal treatment for women. These biases lead medical professionals to make decisions that do not adequately address the pain needs of female patients, ultimately resulting in poorer healthcare outcomes for them. This systemic issue points to the necessity of reforming clinical practices to ensure that all patients, regardless of gender, receive appropriate pain management.

An example of this challenge is illustrated through the experience of Luciana Dores, a 29-year-old support analyst who endured years of underestimated pain before receiving a correct diagnosis. Her story sheds light on the broader impact that gender biases can have on individual health experiences and emphasizes the urgent need for healthcare systems to acknowledge and address these disparities to provide equitable treatment for all patients.