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The Pain Gap

After decades of assuming that pain works the same way in all sexes, scientists are finding that different biological pathways can produce an ‘ouch!’.

Amber Dance

Nature, 2019

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Studies in mice have shown that different pain pathways are involved in females and males. This could offer hope for more effective treatment of pain in humans. Award-winning science writer Amber Dance explains how gender is a determining factor in the pain response of rodents, as well as humans. More research is needed, but understanding these differences shows promise for the future of pain control and drug treatment in general. The future may find drugs targeted specifically to a person’s gender, age and hormone levels.

Take-Aways

Biological sex is a significant variable in the pain response.
Pain can occur in different ways and may involve diverse chemical pathways.
There is evidence that pain routes differ in humans according to biological sex.

About the Author

Amber Dance is an award-winning freelance science writer based in Los Angeles, California.

The Pain Gap

After decades of assuming that pain works the same way in all sexes, scientists are finding that different biological pathways can produce an ‘ouch!’.

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