A new study highlights a troubling trend where many women with pelvic pain and related disorders feel dismissed or misunderstood by their healthcare providers. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, reveals how medical professionals sometimes invalidate women’s symptoms, leading to delayed diagnoses and worsening conditions.
The Research
The study was conducted at a vulvovaginal clinic where women were seeking care for conditions affecting the vulva and vagina, which can cause pain, sexual dysfunction, and bladder or bowel problems. Lead author Dr. Chailee Moss, an OB-GYN and adjunct professor at George Washington University, shared that the research was inspired by hearing countless stories from patients about their experiences with unsupportive care.
To gather data, Dr. Moss and her team developed a survey asking patients about their interactions with healthcare providers. The survey included questions about dismissive comments, such as being told to relax more or drink alcohol to ease pain. A total of 447 women participated in the survey between August 2023 and February 2024.
Key Findings
The survey revealed some concerning statistics:
43.5% of women reported receiving supportive care from past healthcare providers.
25% of providers were dismissive or belittling.
39.4% of women said they were made to feel “crazy” or that their symptoms were not real.
Around 40% of women were advised to relax more, while 20% were told to drink alcohol to cope with their pain.
An estimated 20% of women were referred to psychiatric care instead of receiving proper medical treatment.
Many women reported that these dismissive responses led them to stop seeking medical care altogether.
Why This Matters
The study shows that when women’s conditions are ignored, it can delay proper diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Moss explained that the comment “just have a glass of wine” was especially harmful to patients, causing distress and discouraging them from pursuing further care.
Challenges in the Study
While the research is important, it does have some limitations. It was conducted at a single clinic, so the results may not reflect the experiences of all women. Additionally, the study didn’t explore whether male or female doctors were more likely to dismiss women’s pain, although some participants felt their experiences were influenced by the gender of their provider.
Expert Opinions
Dr. Roger Dmochowski, a professor of urology at Vanderbilt University, emphasized that women with pelvic pain often face challenges in being taken seriously. He stressed the importance of listening to patients and being empathetic when treating complex symptoms.
Dr. Alessandra Hirsch, an OB-GYN at Columbia University, noted that the study’s findings were not surprising. She explained that conditions like endometriosis often go undiagnosed for years because many doctors don’t believe women’s pain. Dr. Hirsch also pointed out that doctors typically lack training in treating pelvic pain and often rush through exams, which can leave patients feeling unheard.
What Women Should Do
Experts encourage women to not give up if they feel dismissed. Dr. Dmochowski advised seeking a second opinion if a healthcare provider is unhelpful. Dr. Hirsch also suggested that women should trust their instincts, move on from uncomfortable exams, and recognize gaslighting as a form of disrespect.
Conclusion
This study sheds light on a critical issue in women’s healthcare: the need for more empathetic, attentive care for pelvic pain and related disorders. By highlighting these challenges, researchers hope to inspire change within the medical community to better address women’s health concerns.
Read more:
- Study Reveals How Women With Pelvic Disorders Are Often Dismissed By Doctors
- Top 8 Pelvic Floor Exercises for Men
- How Pelvic Floor Disorders Affect Women’s Sexual Health?
