A major international health study has highlighted significant differences in how men and women experience physical pain. Researchers analysed health information from more than 6.1 million people across 118 countries, finding that women reported higher levels of pain than men across all 11 body areas examined.
The research provides one of the largest global assessments of pain across different age groups and geographical regions. Its findings are drawing renewed attention to women’s pain experiences and the need for better understanding of gender differences in healthcare.
Women Report Higher Pain Levels Across the Body
Researchers examined pain affecting the head, face, neck, shoulders, hands, elbows, chest, back, stomach, hips and knees.
Women consistently reported more pain than men across all these areas. The differences were particularly noticeable in facial pain, headaches and abdominal pain.
The findings highlight why healthcare professionals need to take individual pain complaints seriously and consider differences in how pain affects people.
Pain Does Not Increase at the Same Rate Throughout Life
Another important finding was that pain patterns change with age.
Researchers observed that pain increased most rapidly before the age of 55. Different body areas also followed different patterns, with headaches and abdominal pain generally appearing earlier in life, while back, hip and knee pain became more common with increasing age.
Back Pain Remains a Major Global Concern
The study found that back pain was the most frequently reported type of pain, affecting approximately 40% of the population represented in the analysis.
Facial pain was among the least frequently reported, at approximately 2%.
Researchers also observed a greater burden of pain among older people in countries with lower human development levels.
Why These Findings Matter for Healthcare
The research provides a valuable reference for understanding pain across different ages, genders and regions. It may help healthcare researchers identify populations that need better pain assessment and treatment.
The findings also highlight the importance of listening carefully to patients rather than dismissing recurring pain as an ordinary part of everyday life.
A New Perspective on Pain Management
Pain is influenced by several factors, including age, health conditions, lifestyle and social circumstances. Understanding these differences can help support more personalised healthcare and better pain-management strategies.
