Women report higher pain levels than men, Nature Medicine research shows

Global health data collected over three decades show that women consistently report higher levels of pain across every region of the human body compared to men. The research, published in Nature Medicine and detailed by The Guardian, gathered information from 1990 to 2025 across populations ranging from age five to over one hundred.

Key Clinical Takeaways:

• Women report higher pain levels than men across all 11 surveyed body regions, with the largest disparities appearing in head, facial, and abdominal areas.
• Pain severity across the general population accelerates rapidly before age 55, typically peaking around age 50 for intense pain and age 70 for generalized pain.
• Smoking, obesity, and lower household income account for 18.3% of the global burden of pain, varying from 12.6% in sub-Saharan Africa to 27.1% in Eastern Europe.

Global Mapping of Body Pain Across Eleven Regions

Researchers analyzed 11 specific bodily zones: the head, face, neck and shoulder, foot and ankle, hand and wrist, elbow, chest, back, stomach and abdomen, hip, and knee. Across every single category, female participants documented elevated pain frequencies compared to males. Headaches, facial discomfort, and abdominal pain showed the most pronounced gender divergence. Andrew Horne, director of the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh, stated that the findings confirm the gender pain gap is real, consistent, and global. Horne noted that female pain is frequently ignored, under-researched, and inadequately treated.

Peak Pain Trajectories Before Age Fifty-Five and Beyond

The acceleration of pain occurs most rapidly before individuals reach 55 years of age. High-intensity pain peaks near the age of 50, whereas generalized pain reaches its highest prevalence around age 70. Musculoskeletal ailments, particularly in weight-bearing joints, diverge from conditions that peak in midlife and subsequently decline. Back, hip, and knee pain continue to escalate across the human lifespan due to cumulative mechanical stress and degenerative processes. Rebeccah Slater, professor of pediatric neuroscience at the University of Oxford, pointed out the paradox that while women experience higher volumes of pain, their symptoms face a higher probability of dismissal, delayed diagnosis, or insufficient management.

Tobacco Use, Obesity and Low Income Drive Global Pain

Three primary risk factors account for nearly a fifth of the global pain burden: tobacco use, obesity, and low household income. Together, these elements drive 18.3% of reported pain globally, with regional impacts shifting according to local economic development indices. Obesity accounts for 11.2% of the analyzed pain burden overall, peaking at 14.6% in North America and dropping to 2.7% in Central and South Asia. Smoking contributes between 2.5% and 8.5% depending on the geographic zone. Populations residing in areas with lower Human Development Indices exhibit lumbar pain rates nearly double those recorded in other zones, highlighting how restricted healthcare access skews clinical metrics.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.