Sex differences in pain

Abstract

It is now generally acknowledged that sex and gender are important factors in the perception and experience of pain (Berkley, 1997; Berkley, Hoffman, Murphy, & Holdcroft, 2002; Bernardes, Keogh, & Lima, 2008; Dao & LeResche, 2000; Fillingim, 2000; Holdcroft & Berkley, 2005; Keogh, 2006; LeResche, 1999; Rollman & Lautenbacher, 2001; Wiesenfeld-Hallin, 2005). The focus of this chapter will be to review the evidence for variability in human pain experiences, as ascribed to the sex of the individual, as well as considering some of the reasons why such differences exist. As will become apparent, not only are there important biological differences that help to explain why men and women may differ, but there are a range of psychological and socio-cultural factors that need to be considered when attempting to account for sex-specific variation in pain and analgesia.