It's the same 'health' paradox.
On one hand, there's 'man-flu' where they are told that any health complaint is bound to be minor and, actually, you're exaggerating how bad you feel. On the other, we're told that men are notoriously reluctant to go to the G.P. or a health professional with health concerns, because they're 'meant to be tougher or whatever.
The disparity in gender and medical treatment also exists. I went into A&E with an incredibly painful knee. Got given high-strength meds and had to wait for an X-ray. T'missus twisted her knee, ambulance had to take her to A&E, she was given no painkillers, examined and was told "You must've twisted it - there's no break or dislocation - go home, take some ibuprophen and rest the leg!" The first was genuine pain but with no obvious trigger/cause. No conclusion. The second was the result of a known phyiscal cause, conclusion: meh. It
might be suggested that because I - a bloke - made a real fuss and showed pain, it must've been bad. Whereas the 'middle-aged lady' - with a weight issue - should put up with it.