Women face longer diagnosis times than men for the same pain types, data shows

Women in the UK wait longer than men to receive a medical diagnosis for the same types of pain, new data has shown. 

The research, part of Nurofen’s Gender Pain Gap Index Report, found that less than half (47 per cent) of women surveyed received a diagnosis within 11 months compared to two thirds (66 per cent) of men.

Additionally, more women than men still do not have a diagnosis for their pain after 12 months or longer.

Nearly a third of women surveyed felt the reason it took so long to receive a diagnosis for their pain was because their healthcare professional did not take their pain seriously or dismissed their pain, compared to less than one in five (18 per cent) men.

The survey showed nearly half of women (45 per cent) who feel uncomfortable talking to certain people about their pain say they’re worried they will be judged as a “moaner”, compared to just 35 per cent of men who feel this way.

This translates into fewer women seeking help. Nurofen found 23 per cent of women surveyed have not tried to seek a diagnosis for the pain they experience, compared to 13 per cent of men.

The gender pain gap

Nurofen’s latest research shows the so-called “gender pain gap” has widened a year on since the brand’s first Gender Pain Gap Index Report, highlighting that more needs to be done to tackle unconscious gender bias in healthcare.

Last year’s data showed over half of women surveyed said they felt their pain was ignored or dismissed compared to 49 per cent of men – revealing a gender pain gap of seven per cent.

A year on, while fewer of the women surveyed than last year say their pain has been ignored or dismissed than men, the gap has widened to 11 per cent.

Dr Marieke Bigg, sociologist and author of This Won’t Hurt: How Medicine Fails Women, said: “It’s concerning to see that the gender pain gap has increased.

“Whether this means women are becoming more vocal about the problems they face, or whether medical sexism has intensified, we need to respond to this evidence and make changes to healthcare provision.

“Unfortunately, women’s pain is often dismissed. Healthcare professionals continually misattribute women’s symptoms to stress or ‘hormones’, while men are more likely to be sent for a physical check – even when complaining of the same type of pain.

“Over time, this has led to women’s pain being overlooked, resulting in a gender pain gap.”

She added: “Women are waiting longer to get a diagnosis for their pain, and do not feel empowered to push for the support they need. This is unacceptable.

“With initiatives like Nurofen’s Gender Pain Gap Index Report, we’re seeing more recognition of the issue. But we are still a long way from closing the gap. Women need to start feeling listened to and supported in getting the help they need.”

Dr Bill Laughey, senior medical scientist at Reckitt, the multinational that owns Nurofen, said: “Our latest research shows that fewer feel their pain has been dismissed – perhaps because awareness is driving better quality conversations between patients and healthcare professionals.

“Whilst a positive step forward, the gap has widened and this needs to stop. We’re calling on policymakers, the healthcare industry and medical stakeholders to come together to implement meaningful changes, such as effective gender bias training for all healthcare professionals.”

Nurofen has introduced free gender pain gap training for healthcare professionals, with two-thirds of Superdrug’s pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and nurses having already completed the training.

The brand has also partnered with the charity Wellbeing of Women to fund an innovative new piece of research.

The study, which will happen over three years, will investigate health literacy levels and attitudes towards menstrual pain in adolescent girls and women and address the impact these attitudes on women’s health journeys.

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