Gender Gap

When talking to my liver Doc I found out that more than 75% of his people who are doing Tx are female.  That figure looks about the same with the people on this board.  I just thought it was interesting.

                                                      Ron

[Myown]

Thats interesting. We all should ask our doctors and see if we get a similiar response.

[jmjm530]

Funny, I posted some rambling thoughts on a similar topic some time ago. My totally unscientific thesis was that given the same stats, men tend more to watch n' wait and that women tend more to treat, which statistically is the opposite of what it should be -- since overall fibrosis progresses faster in men than women. I then when Freudian and postulized that part of it may have to do with how women psychologically tolerate a foreign virus in their body versus men. Phrases like "I can't live with the thought of a virus in my body" and similar are mostly posted by women, not men -- while men seem to frame the discussion in a different manner. I'm sure many will disagree with what I've said -- maybe like 75% :) -- but I'm on my way out the door now anyway :) -- just wanted to share my thoughts on the fairer sex and HCV.

-- Jim

[mremeet]

One "gender gap" I swear I've noticed over the years, is how differently men and women describe their biopsies. I'd say the vast majority of women I've spoken to about their biopsies, have relatively positive experiences to report. They rarely complain about pain or about a bad experience under the needle (although I know that a few do!). "I couldn't feel a thing" is a very common remark I've heard from women. On the other hand, it seems like men are more likely to have an unpleasant or painful experience. I know I'm certainly one of those men.

The only reason I can think why this might be, is because women's threshold for pain, especially in that particular area of their bodies, is higher than men's. My personal theory is that since they're wired for childbirthing (and the often extreme pain that goes along with it), somehow their nerve receptors and/or brain chemistry deadens the sensation of pain when that big needle gets stuck in.

On the other hand, maybe men are just sissies. ;-)

[pigeonca]

When I spoke to the Be In Charge nurse prior to beginning tx a couple of weeks ago, she advised me that, as an "older woman," I would probably do well.  She said she'd found that most women over 50 just do not have the sides that men or younger women experience.  Kinda interesting, huh?

[Myown]

you said..I then when Freudian and postulized that part of it may have to do with how women psychologically tolerate a foreign virus in their body versus men. Phrases like "I can't live with the thought of a virus in my body" and similar ..


Yup!! As far as from my stand point,,you hit it on the head!

The virus in my body,,just the thought of it bothers me,,,now the interferon and riba in my body,,,just the thought of it bothers me. lol

See,,,you left that part out,,,,the part of women changing their minds all the time. lol

see ya later

[Imagine]

Oh man mremeet, you are setting us guys up for future ridicule from the gals. I can see it now in a discussion that involves pain from biopsies, tx or hcv. They will reference your post as evidence as to who is the stronger sex is in tolerating pain. But childbirth has to be on the top of the list on pain enduring. But I do have to ask, what part of your body did you get your biopsy? :) I got mine on the side of the mid to upper chest, lol.

[jmjm530]

MyOwn: See,,,you left that part out,,,,the part of women changing their minds all the time.
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I thought I went as far in my post as safely advisable :)

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Mre: That's correct. Studied have shown women do have a higher pain threshold, which thankfully makes them the ones that actually do the childbearing part of the equation :)

-- Jim

[OceanLiver]

Thanks for the chuckle .  I needed that.  That is interesting about older women having less trouble with the sides.   Maybe we are just too tired to complain about them.  Yeah i agree - after childbirth, most other pain and discomfort take a back seat. Although, I have heard about the pain of passing a kidney stone and hope that I never have to experience that one. Hope your days are all pain free.  Ocean

[jmjm530]

Try and look at it this way then, if women have a higher pain threshold, then doesn't that make us braver :)

[NYgirl]

Womens are tougher because since birth we are programmed to know we are going to suffer the pains of childbirth.

After that.............virus? I don't need no stinkin' virus!

[Lady E]

My first biopsy was painless. My Gastro performed it.
My 2nd biopsy was totally different. It was performed by a radiologist in a different hospital. Evidently, byle seeped out during the 2nd biopsy causing extreme pain in my shoulder, neck & right upper arm. It was a nightmare. They rushed me over to cardiology directly after the 2nd biopsy. It felt like I was going to have a heart attack. I think I also had an anxiety attack when the pain started, which made it worse.
I was feeling better in a couple of hours after they gave me morphine.
Yikes, I don't wish that on anybody. And if I ever have to have another biopsy, it will be with my gastro only.
-E

[mremeet]

Sorry man, didn't mean to blow our cover. ;) And you ask where I was stuck - I took it right in the belly on both occasions, and multiple times on each occasion (1st try a screw up, then a 2nd and even 3rd try...and still screwed it up). And in a location real close to where I've seen stretch marks on some moms.

[Imagine]

Oh no, not you too Jim :)

[new-sojourn]

We women over 50 have been thru so much what's a little hep c?  Many of us have had our symptoms ignored or attributed to menopause, depression, empty nest, post divorce.

actually, even childbirth isn't so bad compared to what comes next.

Many of us actually got hep c thru childbirth transfusions, etc-esp c-sections...(me.)

I was actually relieved to have a diagnosis that finally convinced people I wasn't just a chronic hypochondriac.

Hep C I could deal with.  its just a disease-not a moral failing or weakness.  It's real and treatable.  all those vague complaints were not 'all in my head;-they were all in my blood.

[FL_Gal]

you said "actually, even childbirth isn't so bad compared to what comes next."
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Hahahahaha!!!  Between you and Goofy, at least I started out this day with a chuckle.

And about the man/women thing, my nurse told me that she has noticed that women do seem to be able to handle the sx more easily than men.

[Cindy10]

This is interesting, I asked my NP and she said it seems women tolerate sx better than men. Then I asked my hubby what his thought was. He said "if I didnt have serious damage I would never treat, why do I care if there is a virus in me as long as it does not kill me".  I on the other hand want it gone!!!!