We all know about the battle of the sexes, but when it comes to pain, we’d rather lay our weapons down and take a closer look at how we can best serve men and women in chronic pain.
One study found that women actually respond worse to opioid-based intervention than their male counterparts. This study and many others like it highlight the need for sex-specific pain management plans.
And that’s what we offer at the West Texas Pain Institute. Dr. Raul Lopez and our team understand that no two people experience pain the same way, and neither do the two genders.
Here, we dive into what causes those differences and what we do to support both our male and female patients.
There are significant differences between how men and women process pain. Distinct genes, proteins, and immune cells play a role in pain processing in men and not women.
For instance, a variation in a gene that encodes one type of opioid receptor has been linked to increased pain sensitivity in women, while variations in a gene that encodes another type create a higher threshold for pain in men.
Hormonal influences widen the gap. While estrogen may suppress pain at high levels, low estrogen and higher amounts of progesterone can lead to increased pain sensitivity. Prolactin, a hormone that fuels milk production, affects pain receptors and enhances pain sensitivity.
On the other hand, testosterone has been shown to reduce pain in both men and women and contributes to determining how specific immune cells and pathways relay pain signals.
There’s certainly a biological component to the gender differences in pain, but gender roles and social factors also influence how men and women experience and manage pain.
Women, for example, experience more stress, childhood trauma, depression, and anxiety, all of which can exacerbate pain symptoms. Gender stereotypes and norms dictate that masculine men should have a higher pain threshold than women.
As a result, women are also more likely to seek out help for pain, while men tend to suffer in silence.
At the West Texas Pain Institute, we recognize gender disparities in pain experiences and management. As a result, we tailor treatment plans based on our patients’ unique needs.
Whatever your biology, we get to the root cause of your pain and either address it with one of our advanced treatments or connect you with other medical professionals who can help.
Our treatments include:
We also counsel our patients on establishing habits that support overall health and reduce pain, such as eating a balanced diet, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. We can also refer you to mental health specialists, hormone, massage, and physical therapists if necessary.
We know that pain isn’t one-size-fits-all, so we never recommend stock treatment plans. Instead, we consider your personal and family health history, treatment goals, and health and wellness goals to create an action plan tailored specifically to you.
If you’re looking for a customized pain management plan, look no further than the West Texas Pain Institute. Call or click to schedule a consultation with our expert at our El Paso, Texas, office.
