When visiting my gynecologist, I complained of some minor, brief sharp cramps I had been experiencing in the days before my appointment. The PA (a woman) who performed my pap smear before the doctor saw me said it’s likely from cysts, which are very common but I should call the office if it continued. This was comforting and I felt that I had an idea of how to handle the situation.
A bit later, the doctor, a man, came in and immediately asked 2 or 3 questions about the cramps. From those quick answers, he announced, “it’s just gas. If it were serious it would last longer. You’ll be fine.” I immediately felt relieved – it was nothing, I’ll be fine. Upon reflecting on the situation, however, I realized that he had been dismissive and patronizing. I’ve been in my body for 30+ years – I think I know the difference between gas pain and cramps. But my internalized sense of “male doctor knows all” allowed me to be lulled by his immediate dismissal.