Recent scientific research is challenging long-held beliefs about chronic pain in women, suggesting biological differences in the immune system—rather than simply increased sensitivity—may be responsible for disparities in pain experiences between sexes. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing more effective pain management strategies for women.
A study conducted at the University of Michigan focused on specific immune cells that play a role in pain reduction. Researchers discovered these cells function more efficiently in men compared to women, potentially explaining why women often experience longer-lasting pain.
“There are real biological reasons why women may experience chronic pain for longer periods,” said lead researcher Jeffrey Loomis. The study centered on a particular type of white blood cell that releases molecules which “silence” nerve cells responsible for pain sensation. The effect of these pain-reducing molecules was more pronounced in males, influenced by the effects of testosterone, which boosts their production.
The research wasn’t limited to animal models. the same mechanism was observed in humans who had suffered physical injuries, such as those from car accidents. Levels of immune cells and pain-relieving molecules were notably higher in men compared to women. While both genders reported similar levels of pain immediately following the injury, pain subsided much faster in men.
Iloura Medavin, a researcher specializing in chronic pain, described the discovery as a “significant gap” in understanding pain mechanisms between genders, noting that documented differences had previously lacked a clear biological explanation.
These findings could pave the way for more targeted and effective treatments, particularly as current chronic pain therapies, especially for women, often fall short. Previous studies have also indicated that some pain medications, like opioids, are less effective in women than in men.
While developing a tailored treatment approach may capture years, researchers hope this study will help dispel the common misconception that women’s pain is “exaggerated”—a belief that has historically led to the minimization of women’s suffering within the medical community.
