For years, pain treatment has been based on a one-size-fits-all model, ignoring crucial biological differences between men and women.
Research now reveals that women experience pain differently and, in many cases, don’t respond as well to common pain medications. But why is this the case?
Women experience more severe and chronic pain
Studies show that women are more likely to suffer from conditions like migraines, fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis.
Despite this, their pain is often underestimated or dismissed by medical professionals, leading to delayed or inadequate treatment.
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Painkillers were primarily tested on men
Until 1993, clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) were not required to include women.
As a result, many medications were developed and tested mainly on men, assuming they would work the same way in women – a flawed assumption.
Hormones affect how drugs work
Estrogen influences how drugs are absorbed and broken down in the body.
Women’s slower stomach emptying, higher body fat percentages, and lower levels of drug-binding proteins all impact how effective pain medications are.
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Women metabolize painkillers differently
A 2020 study found that women break down nearly all medications more slowly than men, leading to higher drug concentrations in their blood.
This can cause more side effects and reduce the effectiveness of pain relief.
Inflammatory responses are stronger in women
Women’s immune systems tend to be more active than men’s, leading to increased inflammation.
This might explain why they require higher doses of painkillers and why anti-inflammatory drugs, like NSAIDs, don’t work as well for them.
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Opioids interact differently with the female body
Some studies suggest that women have fewer mu-opioid receptors – the proteins that bind with opioids to relieve pain.
This could mean women need higher doses to achieve the same pain relief, but it also puts them at a greater risk of dependence and overdose.
Women experience more severe drug side effects
Because most medications were designed with men in mind, women often experience stronger and more frequent side effects, such as nausea, headaches, and even life-threatening complications.
This leads many women to avoid or stop taking pain medications altogether.
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Several drugs were pulled from the market due to risks for women
Between 1997 and 2001, the FDA withdrew 10 prescription drugs from the U.S. market – eight of them because they posed higher health risks for women.
These included medications for blood pressure, allergies, and pain relief.
Untreated pain has serious consequences
Without effective pain management, women’s conditions can worsen, leading to longer recovery times and increased risk of complications.
Chronic pain can also trigger anxiety, depression, and even substance abuse.
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The future of pain relief for women
Researchers are now working to develop treatments that account for sex-based differences in pain response.
Until then, experts encourage women to educate themselves and advocate for better medical care to ensure their pain is taken seriously.
This article is based on information from National Geographic.