A woman in pain has the right to:

Have her self-report of pain taken seriously, without prejudice, bias or dismissal.

Express her pain experience in its fullest context in a way that is true to her nature.

Have her pain experience equally assessed to that of a man’s.

Not have her pain experience dismissed or discounted condescendingly as “all in her head,” “hysterical,” “hormonal,” “psychogenic,” “too emotional,” etc.

Have a free and open DIALOGUE with her physician about her pain experience and its impact on all aspects of her life.

Receive treatment that is consistent with current pain management standards.

Be treated by a physician enlightened to the fact that women and men experience pain differently.

Challenge her physician about diagnosis and prescribed treatments without fear of being labeled “hostile” or “difficult.”

Be treated in a clinical setting which understands and appreciates pain as a mind/body experience and accepts that emotional overlay (depression, anxiety, etc.), secondary to the organic cause, can adversely affect pain level.

Seek relief by whatever means is most effective, be it alternative, complementary, traditional Western or by other treatment regimen.