Did You Know Painkillers May Be Less Effective For Women Than Men? Here's Why

Painkillers do not work the same way for everyone, especially women. According to a new study, women experience more chronic pain than men, and analgesics are less effective. A University of Calgary study has revealed significant biological differences in how men and women process pain. The study identifies a unique immune cell process in females – causes heightened pain sensitivity, potentially explaining why pain medications are less effective.

Over-the-counter pills like ibuprofen and prescription drugs like steroids and opioids are also more efficacious in men.

“Both males and females develop pain, but each develops it through different means,” Dr. Tuan Trang, a professor in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Cumming School of Medicine, said in a statement. “This study identifies a very unique type of biological process through a specific immune cell that is distinctive to each sex,” he added. e added.

Scientists say since the bodies of both men and women are physiologically different in more than one way—from hormone levels to molecular processes—they may feel similar levels of pain, but differing underlying biological processes mean that the same treatment may not work for both.

Doctors say it mostly happens because of microglia immune cells, which block pain. However, when microglia are blocked in men, pain gets blocked, but it doesn’t happen in women. Women use immune cells called T cells instead of microglia to control their pain response.

But women who do not have as many T cells actually process pain like men. Also, experts say that ribonucleic acid or RNA - the genetic material that carries messages in our body are fo elevated in women’s bloodstream compared to men. These elevated levels lead to a predisposition for chronic pain.

Multiple studies have also found that sex hormones - including testosterone and estrogen - influence pain. Some data have demonstrated that testosterone reduces pain intensity, with effects seen as early as the onset of puberty.

Even though experts acknowledge that pain is not just something in somebody’s head, that does not mean that psychological factors are unrelated to the subjective experience of pain. According to studies, there are many psychological and sociological influences that can alter the experience of and response to pain.

Instances of anxiety and depression often coexist with chronic pain and can amplify the experience.

Doctors say societal gender roles also impact how a person might cope with their pain. Women are perceived to be more emotionally focused, seek social support, and use more positive self-talk, as compared to men who use more distraction and avoidance behaviours, which can lead to more negative outcomes.

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