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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
07:23
Assessment of Morphine-induced Hyperalgesia and Analgesic Tolerance in Mice Using Thermal and Mechanical Nociceptive Modalities
Published on: July 29, 2014
[Sex and/or gender differences in pain]
Rika Miyazaki1, Tatsuo Yamamoto
1Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556.
Masui. the Japanese Journal of Anesthesiology
|January 30, 2009
Summary
Men and women exhibit distinct pain sensitivity and drug responses due to biological differences. Research into these sex and gender variations may lead to personalized pain management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
Context:
- Growing evidence highlights significant sex and gender disparities in pain perception and treatment efficacy.
- Women generally report higher pain prevalence and sensitivity compared to men.
- Hormonal and metabolic differences, such as cytochrome P450 activity, influence drug metabolism and response.
Purpose:
- To review current evidence on sex and gender differences in pain and analgesia.
- To explore the impact of sex hormones and metabolic variations on pain sensitivity and drug efficacy.
- To underscore the potential for developing gender-specific pain therapies.
Summary:
- Studies indicate women experience more pain states and heightened sensitivity than men.
- Sex hormones modulate pain sensitivity, and metabolic differences affect drug processing (e.g., faster drug metabolism in females).
- Pentazocine's analgesic effect is more potent in males, suggesting distinct pain modulation circuits.
Impact:
- Findings suggest males and females possess different pain modulatory pathways.
- Further research into genetic and receptor-level differences is crucial.
- This knowledge can pave the way for developing tailored, gender-specific pain therapies.
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