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‘It’s not in your head’: Why pain may linger longer in women – even when scans are normal

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Recent research demonstrates that lingering female pain stems directly from distinct cellular and hormonal mechanisms rather than psychological weakness. Studies show that female immune cells known as monocytes are less active in shutting down pain signals compared to those in males. Furthermore, a global Nature Medicine study of over six million people confirmed that women report higher rates of pain across 11 different anatomical sites. Specialists therefore stress that lingering discomfort is a genuine biological reality that warrants thorough medical investigation.

Key points

  • Disparities in chronic pain rates between sexes stem from measurable immune and biologica…: Disparities in chronic pain rates between sexes stem from measurable immune and biological differences rather than low tolerance.
  • Male testosterone enhances the activity of specific immune cells responsible for turning…: Male testosterone enhances the activity of specific immune cells responsible for turning off pain signals following an injury.
  • Medical organizations define pain as a complex sensory and emotional system that does not…: Medical organizations define pain as a complex sensory and emotional system that does not rely solely on visible tissue damage.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Women are more likely to experience chronic pain, from migraines and fibromyalgia to endometriosis and painful periods. It isn’t simply about pain threshold. Experts explain why women may be more vulnerable and how persistent pain can be managed.

After covering health stories for more than a decade, many involving women’s health, I’ve noticed a recurring pattern: Women living in significant pain can become very good at enduring it.

One 18-year-old I interviewed had chronic headaches so severe she spent most of her childhood and teenage years “at home, in pain”. Others have expressed the relief of finally being believed, becoming emotional as they recount their experiences.

A 29-year-old became tearful as she recounted how a doctor finally took her complaints about intense period cramps seriously enough to investigate. It was severe endometriosis, which had invaded her fallopian tube, colon and rectum.

These stories made me wonder how much pain they were expected to put up with, and why persistent pain seemed more common in women.

WHAT NEW RESEARCH SAYS

Research has long suggested that women are more likely to develop…

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