Dr. Carme Valls calls for medical research and medicine in general to take into account gender differences between men and women. It’s Tthe Catalan endocrinologist is an expert in Medicine with a gender and political perspective. In his book Invisible women for measurementa (Ed. Captain Swing), an updated publication of his 2006 book, the doctor explains that there has been progress since then, “but in many ways, specialists are still invisible to medicine; in others we are given visibility “, I admit.
Are women in the medical services the majority, but in leadership positions, are they still invisible?
“In many ways, yes.” This means that, since the profession is feminized, women’s work is not yet sufficiently appreciated; most scientific papers, in which mainly women participate, are directed by men. And funded studies if they are more present are more likely to succeed.
From the first edition of your book, how far have we come?
“There are chiaroscuros.” We have made progress in diagnosing cardiovascular disease, as well as in detecting gender-based violence; Medical teams are well trained to detect and monitor abused women. However, with regard to menstrual disorders, it has not been deepened; Chronic pain and aging are also stagnant.
Do youWhy aren’t we considered more in scientific studies?
“Among other reasons, because the man covered everything.” Considering that the male is more important, it comes from the Greeks, from Aristotle. At that time, it was already stated that the weak sperm generated a woman, and the strong one a man. In addition, because women live longer on average than men, because we have more means of defense against infections, medicine must deal with the study of those who die earlier.
Did the same thing happen with the coronavirus pandemic?
—In covid-19 it happens that several women become infected; however, more men die over the age of 80. The truth is that before this age, mortality is very similar between many sexes.
In her publication, she talks about the feelings of guilt of many women, which makes them work to be perfect. What needs to be done to manage this situation?
—Religions and cultures have devalued and blamed women. Ever since Eve gave Adam the apple; since African women touched the water of the Sahara when menstruating and were guilty of drying up the Sahara. If it makes a person feel guilty, you can control it better. That is why we have to tell women every day that we are not guilty of anything. And that we deserve a lot! That of The girl who deserves a lot, by Almodóvar, is valid to overcome the low self-esteem to which many women are subjected from an early age.
Does the anxiety caused by all this lead to more psychoactive drugs?
—Women are prescribed five times more antidepressants than men and twice as many anxiolytics.
Is it the solution?
-Do not. We need to solve the basic problem: after we have told ourselves that we need to demonstrate what we are capable of doing every day in everything we do. We need to prove twice as much as men. To manage this anxiety you need to be aware that you are not to blame for anything; the patriarchy is the one that maintains these ideas.
Does this involve a lot of psychological work?
-Yes. But fortunately, times change, and women can associate with others who think they deserve it. Sometimes these are difficult situations, but you have to do them.
Is the personal rebirth of women necessary?
– In many cases, yes. They must regain their desires and pleasures; do not follow the instructions given / given by parents, but follow their instincts. Everything goes slower than what women need, but women must learn to have the best possible time in their daily lives, because, for example, they keep them away from pain pathologies. And I’m talking about regaining desire and personal liberation.
You’re a feminist. Do you think that the global feminist movement will promote the changes that science also needs?
—I noticed a big difference from the first edition of my book 25 years ago. Now medical students and professionals write to me to thank me for their publication. The media is also more sensitive to this issue; you give us more visibility to women in medicine and science. This that we talked about was quite difficult then and only a few media outlets had an echo, most did not care.
Do you dare to predict how the health system will work in the next ten years in terms of sex and diagnosis?
“Political will is needed, but I’m optimistic.” There are countries that have good public policies, such as Canada, where there are ministerial orders not to give public money if women are not included in the clinical research activity. In my opinion, this is the paradigm of change.
“Women are prescribed twice as many antidepressants as men and five times as many anxiolytics”
“Religions and cultures have blamed women; you have to remind them of “Girl, it’s worth a lot”
“Women need to learn to have the best time possible in their daily lives; they need to regain their desire.”