I’m fine.

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*Women consistently report higher rates of chronic pain and somatic symptoms such as headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and fatigue across cultures and age groups, even when reproductive conditions are excluded. *Suppressing emotions is linked to worse physical health outcomes, including increased pain sensitivity, inflammation, and stress related illness. When emotions aren’t expressed, they’re more likely to show up through the body. *Women are more often socialized to suppress anger, stay agreeable, and prioritize emotional harmony, which increases internalization of distress rather than outward expression. *Women also experience higher rates of interpersonal trauma, including sexual violence and intimate partner violence, which is strongly associated with somatic symptoms and medically unexplained physical complaints. *Bias in healthcare contributes to poorer outcomes for women. Women’s physical symptoms are more likely to be minimized, attributed to psychological causes, or treated less aggressively, leading to delayed diagnoses and prolonged suffering. *Healthy emotional expression is protective. Research shows that identifying, expressing, and regulating emotions is associated with lower stress, fewer somatic symptoms, and better overall health