Women experience chronic pain more intensely than men, a disparity that modern research suggests may be linked to biological differences in the immune system. Published February 20, 2026, the findings could pave the way for more targeted pain treatments and potentially reduce reliance on opioid painkillers, which carry significant risks of side effects and addiction.
“Women’s pain has been dismissed in clinical practice,” explained Geoffroy Laumet, of Michigan State University (MSU), “but our study shows that the difference is real… it’s not a social construct. There is a biological mechanism behind it.”
Pain occurs when neurons respond to stimuli, such as a stubbed toe or a scraped knee. However, chronic pain persists even with minimal or no stimulation, and women comprise 60% to 70% of those who suffer from it, according to Laumet. This research aimed to understand how immune cells regulated by hormones, specifically monocytes, influence the resolution of pain.
Researchers discovered that these monocytes play a crucial role in communicating with neurons that perceive pain, ultimately working to deactivate those pain-sensitive neurons by producing an anti-inflammatory molecule called interleukin 10, or IL-10. The study initially wasn’t designed to explore sex-based differences, but the data revealed a clear trend: pain resolution took longer in female mice, and the monocytes producing IL-10 were less active in them.
The study indicates that these cells are more active in males, likely due to higher levels of sex hormones like testosterone. These findings highlight the complex interplay between hormones, the immune system, and pain perception.
Laumet expressed optimism that the new research could unlock new avenues for improving pain management. He suggested that, in the long term, researchers could investigate ways to stimulate monocytes and increase IL-10 production to “boost the body’s ability to resolve pain.”
In the shorter term, Laumet believes topical testosterone could develop into a viable option for alleviating localized pain. This potential treatment approach warrants further investigation.
Elora Midavaine, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, who studies chronic pain but was not involved in the study, told reporters that the new research adds “an important nuance” to the relationship between hormones and the immune system. She noted that this operate aligns with a broader movement focusing on the intersections of neuroscience, immunology, and endocrinology, and “has the potential to advance our understanding of chronic pain in women.”
mdo/msp/ad/dga
