Women In Pain

[Guest guest]

I've uploaded a pdf file to the Files section of this listserv. It is an

article entitled " The Girl Who Cried Pain " and it documents what many of us

have known for a long time; that women in pain are treated differently than

men. Women are most often told that the pain is " all in your head. "

For example, men who go to the doctor complaining of pain usually describe

it in terms of " it hurts so bad, I'm missing so much work, I'm going to lose my

job " so that doctors are more likely to give them thorough diagnostic tests and

prescribe painkillers. Women who complain to a doctor about pain usually

describe it in terms of " it hurts so bad, I never want to get out of bed, I'm

afraid

my partner is going to leave me " so that doctors are more likely to give them a

psych referral and/or a prescription for anti-depressants.

I found this article to be very interesting and think many of you will also.

Maggie B.