Health · Medical Research · 3 hrs ago
Study finds women report more frequent and intense pain than men
A study using data from 6.1 million people in 118 countries found that women were more likely than men to experience pain in all 11 body areas examined.
Women also had a 52% higher chance of reporting high-intensity pain.
The researchers drew on 902 sources covering people aged 5 to 100.
Pain levels varied with age, and average pain intensity peaked around age 48.
Smoking, obesity and low income were also linked to more pain, while pain was more common among older people in countries with lower human development.
The researchers said factors such as physically demanding work and limited access to treatment and rehabilitation may help explain that gap.
The study identifies patterns in pain, but the sources do not describe any next steps.
A study found that women report more frequent and more intense pain than men.
The analysis covered 6.1 million people in 118 countries and found higher pain prevalence among women across all 11 body areas studied.
Women had a 52% higher chance of reporting high-intensity pain than men.
The study also found that pain intensity varies with age, socioeconomic conditions, smoking and obesity.
- Who
- Women and men whose pain data were analyzed.
- What
- A study found women report more frequent pain and have a higher chance of high-intensity pain than men.
- When
- The study was published in Nature Medicine the week before October 12, 2026.
- Where
- The analysis covered people in 118 countries.
- Why
- Not stated
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- People analyzed
- 6.1 million
- Countries covered
- 118
- Body areas examined
- 11
- High-intensity pain
- Women had a 52% higher chance than men of reporting it
- Data sources
- 902
- Study participants' ages
- 5 to 100 years
Sources
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