For a long time, nearly all medical studies were performed on men. The fear was that uncontrolled factors, such as women’s hormones and menstrual cycles, would disrupt the outcomes of the studies. However, these are some of the very factors that are finally providing answers as to why women make up 70% of those who suffer from chronic pain — often more intensely, for longer periods and in more areas of their bodies than men. While scientists are still in the discovery process and more research is needed, some of the key reasons that chronic pain is more common in women are: Hormones: Women experience fluctuating hormones as part of their biology. From puberty and menstrual cycles to pregnancy and menopause, these are all factors that play a role in why and how women experience pain.
Studies show evidence of a possible link between hormones and pain sensitivity in and of itself. For example, migraines are most common in women during their childbearing years, between the ages of 20 and 45. Nerves: Women have been found to have twice as many nerves per square centimeter. More nerves mean more feeling, which helps explain why women tend to feel much more pain than their male counterparts.
Fibromyalgia, an illness characterized by widespread chronic pain, is thought to be connected to overactive nerves and how pain is processed by the brain. An overwhelming 90% of fibromyalgia patients are women. Social/Psychological Impact: Women tend to focus more on the emotional impact and the stress caused by chronic pain. Stress is known to intensify pain that is already there. Men focus more on physical sensations only, which may make coping easier.
Data from the CDC shows that 1 in 4 women have experienced domestic violence, physical violence or rape compared to 1 in 7 men. Research suggests that trauma such as this may contribute to or worsen pain conditions.