A growing body of evidence reveals that individuals, especially women, suffering from chronic genital pain are frequently dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told their pain is psychological by healthcare professionals. The phenomenon, known as “medical gaslighting,” continues to delay proper care for conditions like endometriosis and vulvodynia, each affecting approximately one in ten women in the United States. The issue underscores persistent gender bias in medicine and highlights enduring disparities impacting patients globally, including in Thailand.
For many experiencing chronic gynecological pain, daily life is heavily affected. Simple activities such as sitting, cycling, or merely wearing underwear may result in discomfort bordering on agony. Sexual intercourse and basic medical examinations often become unbearable. Despite the prevalence of these conditions, most sufferers encounter skepticism within healthcare settings. As documented in research and explored in a May 2025 investigative report by The Conversation, nearly half of patients visiting a vulvovaginal pain clinic were told they “just needed to relax more.” Over a third reported being made to feel “crazy,” and more than half had considered abandoning medical treatment altogether (CNN).
The underlying reasons for gaslighting are deeply linked to shortcomings in medical education and research. Studies, including a 2024 survey of chronic pain patients, found that many women hear responses such as “it’s all in your head” from doctors. Further, a follow-up study in major US cities revealed that most patients seeking help for vulvovaginal pain bounced from one clinician to another, often without a diagnosis. Frustrated by these experiences, many turn to online communities like Reddit for support, information, and validation of their experiences.
Medical gaslighting does not just deprive patients of timely diagnoses and appropriate treatments; it also inflicts a profound psychological toll. Those whose symptoms are dismissed often begin to doubt their own perceptions, experience isolation, and can spiral into anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress-like symptoms. As faith in the health system erodes, sufferers become less likely to seek medical care, further exacerbating their conditions.
Experts highlight that entrenched gender bias in medicine is a driving force behind these failures. Historical legacies—such as the discredited Freudian view blaming women’s sexual pain on psychological complexes—still echo in provider attitudes and practice. Persistent stereotypes cast women’s reproductive health concerns as overblown or emotional rather than rooted in physical pathology, even when substantial evidence suggests otherwise.
Inadequate research funding compounds the problem. A 2024 report from the National Academies noted that women’s health issues such as endometriosis and vulvodynia remain significantly underfunded relative to conditions primarily affecting men. Alarmingly, the US National Institutes of Health’s investment in women’s health has declined over the past decade. Threats to long-standing grants, such as those supporting the Women’s Health Initiative, further fuel the research gap (National Academies), a phenomenon mirrored in many countries where funding for women’s health is limited and often faces competing priorities.
Disparities are especially stark for women who belong to marginalized racial or socioeconomic groups. A 2016 study showed that half of surveyed medical trainees believed in false biological differences between Black and white individuals, impacting their assessment of patients’ pain and choice of treatment. Studies repeatedly show that women’s complaints are judged less credible than men’s, and women are more likely to be prescribed psychiatric interventions rather than pain management—even by female clinicians. The consequences include delayed diagnoses and, in severe cases, fatal outcomes.
This challenge is not confined to Western contexts. In Thailand, as in other parts of Asia, reproductive and sexual health conditions are heavily stigmatized, and ongoing biases in provider attitudes still echo global patterns. Access to gynecological pain specialists is limited, especially outside of Bangkok and other urban centers, which can make persistent pain a silent struggle for many Thai women (Thai National Health Examination Survey). Cultural attitudes often portray gynecological complaints as minor or a “normal part of being a woman,” deeply discouraging open discussions and timely help-seeking.
Medical professionals and advocates argue that correcting the problem requires substantial changes in medical education. Providers must be trained to listen carefully to patients’ lived experiences, recognize the full spectrum of symptoms, and acknowledge when medical science cannot provide clear answers. According to international guidelines (International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health), better awareness, empathy, and clinical humility are essential steps toward restoring trust.
For patients facing dismissive care, experts recommend several practical approaches. Accessing credible resources, such as publications from the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease or educational books like “When Sex Hurts,” empowers patients to advocate effectively for themselves. Support networks—both online and in-person—can provide psychosocial relief, though they cannot replace the need for systemic medical change.
Thai patients may find local obstacles to candid discussion about chronic pain due to cultural values surrounding kreng jai (consideration for others) and a reluctance to challenge medical authority. Nevertheless, rising health literacy and advocacy from organizations such as the Thai Women’s Health Foundation are gradually encouraging more open dialogue. Adding women’s health research funding, expanding gynecological education, and reducing stigma in Thai society are crucial to overcoming medical gaslighting for chronic pain sufferers.
Looking ahead, global and Thai health authorities must prioritize:
- Greater investment in women’s health research, including culturally attuned studies in Southeast Asia
- Mandatory gender bias and pain management education in medical school curricula
- Public health campaigns to destigmatize gynecological pain and encourage regular wellness checks
- Accessible online and community-based sources of support for those experiencing persistent pain
- Legal and policy safeguards to ensure equitable care regardless of gender, race, or class
For Thai readers and those caring for individuals with chronic pain, the following steps can make a difference: stay informed using evidence-based resources, keep a detailed symptom diary to support clinical assessments, seek second opinions if symptoms are dismissed, and, where possible, connect with advocacy groups for community support. By recognizing medical gaslighting and working collectively, Thailand can move toward a healthcare system that hears, believes, and heals all patients equitably.
Sources: CNN, National Academies, International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, Thai National Health Examination Survey