Jose G. Veliz, M.D. M.S.A.
Medical Director
Palomar Pain Management Center
Pomerado Pain Management Center

Posted February 12, 2009 9:15 AM

This article discusses the global reality that women suffer more pain than men.  Reasons that may contribute to this increased female prevalence can be partly explained by the following:

1. Female specific problems (gynecological, obstetrical etc.) occur through most of a woman’s lifetime. 
2. Women live longer than men.

Other reasons for the increased prevalence of pain in women are not as obvious.  There are psychological and sociocultural factors which vary between men and women in pain.  Examples of these psychological and sociocultural factors are the following: 

1. In many parts of the world, women tend to assume the role of caregiver and mother. 
2. Unfortunately, even working women, in those same areas, tend to make a lower income and have less job security. 
3. Sadly, two-thirds of the world’s illiterates are women. 
4. Women are more likely to be physically and sexually abused worldwide. 
5. Women are less likely, especially in the developing world, to receive adequate medical care when compared to men. 
6. In many parts of the world, male health care providers react differently toward women in pain compared to men. 

There are genetic and hormonal differences which affect pain perception.  For example, the effectiveness as well as side effects of medications differs between men and women. 

References:

Collett, B J., Berkley K. Editorial.  The IASP Global Year Against Pain in Women.  Pain 132 (2007) S1-S2.
Craft, R M., Modulation of Pain by Estrogens.  Pain 132 (2007) S3-S12.