Somatization Disorder and Gender

Somatization disorder is thought to affect between 5% and 7% of the adult population, and it is known to disproportionately affect more women than men. Somatization is generally conceptualized as a grouping of recurrent medically unexplained symptoms that cannot be explained by organic or anatomically identified causes; rates of somatoform disorders are highest among women, as well as general reports of physical and mental ailments. While very limited data exist, transgender and gender nonconforming populations are also thought to experience somatic symptoms at higher rates than cisgender men and women. As explored in this entry, these disparities can be better understood via the history and taxonomy of somatization disorders, sociocultural standards, and behavioral differences among cisgender men and women.