Pain is Not Always Normal
February 20th, 2026 by Ishaani Sheth
For generations, girls have been told that intense pain is normal, and that it is just one part of growing up. However, research has consistently found that framing pain as "normal" is extremely harmful, as health care professionals are likely to under-treat women's pain compared to men's: "...female patients [are] less likely to be prescribed pain-relief medications compared to males, even when adjusting for reported pain scores and various patients…" (Marshall University School of Medicine, 2024)
Even worse, "Hormonal fluctuations, such as variations in estrogen and progesterone, are known to influence pain thresholds and sensitivity in women." (Grinberg & Sela, 2025, PubMed Central)* Gender disparities happening in pain management is not a small issue, as clinical literature consistently shows that women's pain is more likely to be underestimated compared to men's (Grinberg & Sela, 2025, PubMed Central).
Lasting effects include, most notably, the delayed diagnosis of endometriosis, a condition where the tissue similar to the uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside the uterus causing inflammation. According to PubMed Central, "Endometriosis diagnosis reportedly faces delays of up to 10 years," despite painful periods because of pelvic pain and cramping, excessive bleeding, pain with bowel movements, and other symptoms which could include fatigue, nausea, and bloating. (De Corte et al., 2024)
It is clear that there needs to be a fundamental reconstruction to the treatment provided to women in health care facilities. The continuation or advancement of this cultural and clinical failure is detrimental to the healthcare of women, as it teaches girls at a young age to not trust their bodies, which provide signs that something is not right. When our bodies signal distress, care must be able to respond appropriately.
*Hormonal influence on pain varies throughout the menstrual cycle and life stages like menopause.
Posted in: Health