Major Global Study Reveals Women Suffer Higher Levels of Pain Across the Entire Body Than Men
- Global Data Analysis: Researchers evaluated self-reported pain data from over 6 million individuals aged five to over 100 across 118 countries between 1990 and 2025.
- Gender Pain Disparity: Women reported higher rates of pain across all 11 measured bodily sites, with the most pronounced differences seen in headaches, facial discomfort, and abdominal pain.
- Lifespan Pain Trajectories: For both men and women, the steepest increase in pain occurred before age 55, while high-intensity pain peaked around age 50 and generalized pain peaked around 70.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Approximately 18.3% of the global pain burden was attributed to modifiable risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and lower household incomes.
The Context & Background
The findings address ongoing concerns regarding the gender pain gap, where women are frequently less likely to be prescribed adequate pain relief. By focusing on self-reported pain rather than clinical diagnoses alone, the study aims to provide a foundation for more equitable global health monitoring and targeted prevention efforts.
Why it matters:This extensive global study underscores profound gender and socioeconomic disparities in healthcare experiences. By mapping pain trajectories across the human lifespan and identifying key risk factors like obesity and income levels, the research provides vital data to help medical systems improve pain management and resource allocation globally.
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