The Washington PostThe Washington Post

From heart disease to IUDs: How doctors dismiss women's pain

By Lindsey Bever

13 Dec 2022 · 8 min read

Editor's Note

A confronting investigation from the Washington Post shares the stories of women who say their pain and suffering has been dismissed or misdiagnosed by doctors.

One woman was told she was being "dramatic" when she pleaded for a brain scan after suffering months of headaches and pounding in her ears. It turned out she had a brain tumor.

Another was ignored as she cried out in pain during a 33-hour labor. She was supposed to be getting pain medication through her epidural, but it had fallen out.

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