Carme Valls Llobet: “Medicine and science need a #MeToo”

The Dr. Carme Valls demands that medical research and medicine generally take into account gender differences between men and women. It’s tthe Catalan endocrinologist is an expert in Medicine with a gender and political perspectiveIn his book Invisible women to measurea (Ed. Captain Swing), an updated publication of her 2006 book, the Doctor explains that progress has been made since then, “but in many ways specialists are still invisible to medicine; in others we are gaining visibility,” acknowledge .

Women in medical services are the majority, but are they still invisible in management positions?

“In many ways, yes.” This means that since the profession is feminized, the work of women is still not sufficiently valued; most scientific works, in which mainly women participate, are led by men. And the studies that are funded when they are more present are more likely to succeed.

How far have we come since the first edition of your book?

“There are chiaroscuro.” We have made progress in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, including in the detection of gender violence; The medical teams are well prepared to identify and monitor women who are being abused. However, with regard to menstrual disorders, it has not deepened; chronic pain and aging also stagnate.

Why is it no longer taken into account in scientific studies?

– Among other reasons, because man has covered everything. Considering that the male is more important, it comes from the Greeks, from Aristotle. At the time, it was said that the weak sperm produced a woman and the strong a man. In addition, since women live longer on average than men, as we have more protection against infections, medicine must take care of studying those who die earlier.

Has the same happened with the coronavirus pandemic?

—In Covid-19 it happens that more women are infected; however, more men over the age of 80 die. The truth is, before that age, the mortality rate between many genders is very similar.

In her publication she talks about the guilt feelings of many women, which makes them work perfectly. What must be done to deal with this situation?

—Religions and cultures have devalued and blamed women. Ever since Eve gave the apple to Adam; ever since African women touched the water in the Sahara during their menstruation and were guilty of drying up the Sahara. If that makes someone feel guilty, you can better control them. That is why we must tell women every day that we are not guilty of anything. And that we are worth a lot! That of Girl, you’re worth a lot of Almodóvar, is valid to overcome the low self-esteem to which many women are exposed from a very young age.

Is the fear that all of this is leading us 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: telling ourselves that in everything we do, we need to show every day what we can do. We have to prove twice as much as men. To deal with this fear, you must be aware that you are not to blame for anything; it is patriarchy that maintains these ideas.

Does this involve a lot of psychological work?

-Yes. Fortunately, times change, and women can get along with others who think they are worthy of theirs. Sometimes these are difficult situations, but you have to do them.

Is the Personal Rebirth of Women Necessary?

“In many cases, yes.” They must find their desires and pleasures; do not follow the directions given / given by their parents, but follow their instincts. Everything is slower than what women need, but women have to learn to have the best possible time in their daily life, because that also keeps them away from pain pathologies, for example. And I’m talking about the restoration of desire and personal liberation.

You are a feminist. Do you think the global feminist movement will drive the changes science needs too?

– I notice a big difference from the first edition of my book 25 years ago. Now medical students and professionals are writing to thank me for their publication. The media is also more sensitive to the issue; you give us more visibility for women in medicine and science. This what we were talking about was quite difficult then and there was very few media in the media, it didn’t interest the majority.

Do you dare to predict how the health system will function in terms of gender and diagnosis over the next ten years?

– Political will is required, but I am optimistic. There are countries that have good public policies, such as Canada, where there are ministerial orders not to award public money if women are not involved in clinical research. In my opinion this is the paradigm of change.