French surveys reveal 43% of women say their pain was dismissed by doctors. Gynecologist Juju la Gygy highlights systemic bias and underfunded women's health research.
Survey highlights women's pain minimization
According to surveys conducted by the French Hospital Federation with Ipsos in 2025 and 2026, 43% of women report having had their pain minimized or dismissed by a healthcare professional. This data underscores a widespread concern about gender bias in medical treatment.Personal experience reveals systemic issue
Gynecologist-obstetrician Juju la Gygy recalls an experience from her early internship in orthopedics where a patient's pain during a prosthesis implant was dismissed by an anesthesiologist who said, "but no, she's asleep, it's just a dream." This anecdote illustrates a broader issue of the minimization of women's pain in medical practice.Lack of gender-specific medical training
Juju la Gygy notes that during her medical training, there was no specific teaching on the differences between male and female patients, similar to how dermatology was once taught on white skin without considering other skin tones. This lack of training contributes to disparities in healthcare outcomes.Underfunding of women-specific diseases
She emphasizes that while gynecologists are trained to care for women with their biological specificities, diseases that mainly affect women remain underfunded by research. She attributes this to men holding the purse strings in France, which influences research priorities.Distrust in a paternalistic system
The distrust in the healthcare system, according to Juju la Gygy, is a result of a system that is often paternalistic and runs behind in time, resources, and personnel. This has led women to seek information and support elsewhere, including social networks, where pseudo-professionals may take advantage of this fear to sell their own services.Real-life consequences of medical neglect
A particularly marked example of this distrust is a patient in her fifties who had bled for several months without consulting a gynecologist, leading to the discovery of an advanced stage uterine cancer. The patient's statement that "gynecologists, they're all grossophobes" reflects a feeling of being misunderstood or mistreated by the healthcare system.Limited discussion on women's sexual health
Juju la Gygy also discusses the broader aspect of women's sexual health, noting that during her training, discussions on sexuality were limited to contraception, STIs, and abortion, without addressing pleasure or consent. She emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues in postpartum consultations.Proposed solutions and international examples
In terms of concrete help for women, Juju la Gygy references the Dutch system of kraamzorg, which provides postpartum care at home, and suggests the implementation of mandatory paternity leave to promote equality in hiring. She envisions an ideal healthcare system for women that includes comprehensive care for menopause, involving multiple specialists and holistic support.Gender bias in medical equipment and training
The issue of medical training based on the male body is also highlighted, with 95% of first aid mannequins being male torsos, leading to a 30-minute delay in care for women during heart attacks and higher in-hospital mortality rates. Additionally, 55% of women have hypertension without knowing, emphasizing the need for regular blood pressure checks.
