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Women Report More Pain Than Men Globally
Global study shows women experience higher pain levels than men across all body sites.
In brief
Global study shows women experience higher pain levels than men across all body sites. A study of over 6 million people found women report more pain than men at every body site studied. Originally reported by MadeForMums.
Global Study Finds Women Report More Pain
A study of more than 6 million people found women reported more pain than men across every body site studied.
Pain Patterns Across 118 Countries
Researchers analysed data from 118 countries collected between 1990 and 2025, covering people aged five to more than 100.
Pain Differences by Body Site
Women reported higher levels of pain across the body, with the difference particularly noticeable for headaches, facial pain and abdominal pain.
Pain Peaks Before Age 55
Pain rises most steeply before age 55, during women’s working, caring and reproductive years.
Back Pain Most Common
Back pain was the most commonly reported type, affecting around 40% of participants, while facial pain was the least common at 2%.
Pain Changes With Age
Headache, abdominal and facial pain tended to peak earlier in life before declining, while musculoskeletal pain generally became more common with age.
Women's Pain Under-Treated
Experts warn women's pain is often dismissed, diagnosed later or undertreated despite higher pain levels.
At a glance
A study of over 6 million people found women report more pain than men at every body site studied.
