Why do Women Feel More Pain Than Men?

According to new research, chronic pain happens more frequently, is more severe and lasts longer in women than in men. Women could have a difficult time with chronic pain since they have a different makeup of hormones than men.

Pain-causing sicknesses such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome are all more common in women than men.

“Genetic and hormonal differences may be the main reason for any differences, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that social and psychological factors are also important,” said Jennifer Kelly of the Atlanta Center for Behavioral Medicine and lead researcher for this study.

Kelly also learned from her research that a woman’s responses to chronic pain is different than a man’s. ”Women tend to focus on the emotional aspects of pain they experience, and men tend to focus on sensory aspects.”

Up until now many studies have indicated that women and men differ in how they feel pain. As Kelly collected the data, she determined that those deviations to be both true and dramatic.

Treating the pain is the same for men and women. But, Dr. Kelly proposes there are many approaches that may assist women particularly when it comes to treatment of pain that lasts six months or more or chronic pain.