Related Experiment Videos
Gender variations in clinical pain experience
1School of Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. ANNRVH@ac.dal.ca
Pain
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Women experience more frequent, severe, and longer-lasting pain than men, particularly from gynecological and obstetric causes. Greater attention is needed for biological, psychological, and social factors influencing pain perception in both genders.
Area of Science:
- Pain research
- Gender studies
- Clinical medicine
Background:
- Clinical pain research indicates significant gender variations in pain experience.
- Women frequently report higher pain prevalence and intensity compared to men.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically summarize research on gender differences in clinical pain.
- To identify areas for future research in pain perception and management.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search using Medline and Psychlit databases.
- Inclusion of references from pertinent papers and books for comprehensive review.
Main Results:
- Women report more recurrent pains, including menstrual, pregnancy, and childbirth pain.
- Studies show women experience greater pain severity, frequency, and duration.
- Women may face higher risks of pain-related disability and biased attributions.
Conclusions:
- Gender significantly influences pain experience, with women reporting more severe and frequent pain.
- Biological, psychological, and social factors require further investigation to understand gender-specific pain perception.
- Addressing gender disparities in pain research and clinical practice is crucial.