Women report higher pain levels across all body areas studied
07 Oct 2026
Published in Nature Medicine, the research examined self-reported pain data from more than six million people across 118 countries over 35 years, from 1990 onwards.
Researchers looked at pain in 11 different areas of the body and found that women reported higher levels than men across all areas studied.
Pain also increased most quickly before the age of 55 for both men and women, suggesting that efforts to prevent and manage pain may need to begin earlier in life.
The study found that pain levels varied depending on the body area. Facial pain affected about 2% of people, while back pain affected up to 40%.
Headache and abdominal pain were more common earlier in life, while pain in the back, hip and knee generally increased with age.
Pain affecting any part of the body, as well as joint and back pain, increased more quickly from the age of 40 in lower-developed settings.
The researchers also found that smoking, obesity and low income together accounted for more than 18% of the global pain burden across the body areas studied. The contribution of these factors varied between regions.
Dr Adele Stewart, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Pain Management, said the findings provide GPs with a clearer picture of how pain affects people throughout their lives.
She said the higher levels of pain reported by women and the faster increase before age 55 may point to hormonal factors having a role in pain sensitivity and processing.
These factors can include changes in oestrogen and other sex hormones during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, after childbirth and menopause.
Dr Stewart said managing pain in general practice should involve more than looking for an injury or disease affecting a particular part of the body.
Pain can be influenced by biological, psychological and social factors, while still being a real and important experience for patients.
The study also highlighted differences between regions. The researchers said the factors contributing to pain in lower-developed settings are not yet fully understood.
Dr Stewart said social and economic circumstances can affect health behaviours, stress, access to healthcare and the development or persistence of pain.
She also pointed to the possible influence of difficult experiences during childhood, while stressing that past experiences should not automatically be considered the cause of someone's pain.
In general practice, she said there are opportunities to address some risk factors earlier through support for sleep, physical activity, nutrition, smoking cessation and weight management.
Helping patients understand pain may also be useful. Dr Stewart said pain is a protective response, but its intensity does not always indicate the amount of tissue damage present.
The researchers hope the findings will help provide a clearer way to measure and compare pain worldwide and support more equitable approaches to prevention.
Dr Stewart said the findings reinforce the importance of a person-centred approach that considers biological, psychological and social factors when managing pain.
Women report higher pain levels across all body areas studied
Source: RACGP