A recent study reveals that many women suffering from pelvic disorders, including pain and sexual dysfunction, often face dismissal or even gaslighting from healthcare providers.
This troubling trend is prevalent in gynecological care, where women’s symptoms are sometimes downplayed or misinterpreted by doctors and nurses. These dismissive attitudes can lead to frustration, delay in diagnosis, and, in some cases, abandonment of necessary medical care.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, focused on women seeking care at a vulvovaginal clinic for conditions that cause pelvic pain, bladder and bowel issues, and sexual dysfunction.
Lead author Dr. Chailee Moss, an OB-GYN at George Washington University, explained that her research was born from hearing numerous patients recount their experiences of being invalidated by healthcare providers.
She noted that these dismissive responses were often compounded by comments that suggested women were overreacting or imagining their symptoms.
To understand this issue better, Moss and her team created a survey that included common examples of dismissive remarks from doctors. The survey was completed by 447 women between August 2023 and February 2024. Some of the questions asked were:
“Have any healthcare providers made you feel like your symptoms were ‘all in your head?’”
“Have you been told to just ‘relax more’ or that your pain wasn’t a big deal?”
“Has a doctor ever suggested you need to drink wine to cope with your pain?”
The results of the survey were eye-opening. Around 43.5% of women reported receiving supportive care from past providers, but nearly 25% experienced belittling comments, and about 20% felt that their symptoms were not believed.
In particular, 40% of respondents were told to “relax more,” and nearly 20% were advised to drink alcohol as a remedy.
A striking 39.4% of the women said they were made to feel as though their pain was “all in their head,” and many reported that these dismissive responses led them to stop seeking further medical help. About 20% of the patients were even referred to psychiatry without receiving proper medical treatment.
Dr. Moss emphasized that one particularly troubling piece of advice, “Just have a glass of wine,” was widespread among patients with pain-related disorders and was notably distressing for them.
The study highlights a serious issue: women whose symptoms are dismissed may experience a delayed diagnosis or avoid seeking care altogether. Dr. Moss hopes that these findings will encourage healthcare providers to be more empathetic and attentive to women’s concerns.
However, the study also has limitations, such as being conducted at a single clinic, which may not fully represent a diverse population.
The researchers did not explore whether male or female doctors were more likely to make dismissive comments, although some participants indicated they were treated differently based on the gender of the provider.
Dr. Roger Dmochowski, a professor at Vanderbilt University, agreed that the study’s findings reflect a broader issue in medical care, particularly for women with pelvic or urinary problems. He stressed that women’s symptoms are often minimized or ignored by medical professionals, and that empathy and careful listening are critical in addressing these complex issues.
For women who feel dismissed by their healthcare providers, Dr. Dmochowski advised not to give up on seeking care. “If one provider isn’t listening to you, it’s important to find someone who will,” he said.
Dr. Alessandra Hirsch, an expert in obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University, expressed disappointment over the findings. She explained that women with chronic pain conditions, such as endometriosis, often suffer for years without a proper diagnosis because their pain is not believed.
Dr. Hirsch also pointed out that doctors often lack sufficient training in managing pelvic pain and are under pressure to rush through exams.
Her advice to women is clear: if a doctor’s approach feels uncomfortable or disrespectful, it’s okay to seek another opinion. Women should understand that gaslighting is a form of disrespect, and they should never feel as though their pain is being dismissed.
This study serves as an important reminder for both patients and providers of the need for better understanding, empathy, and care in addressing women’s pelvic health issues.
Read more:
- Mild Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
- Top 8 Pelvic Floor Exercises for Men
- How Pelvic Floor Disorders Affect Women’s Sexual Health?
