When it comes to pain, women often feel more of it—and get less relief from medication. It’s not just in their heads. A growing body of research shows that many over-the-counter and prescription painkillers are less effective for women. The reason? A combination of biological differences, hormone cycles, and years of research bias.
The Pain Gap Is Real
For decades, women have reported that their pain isn’t taken as seriously as men’s. They’re more likely to be told their symptoms are “stress-related,” and they often wait longer in emergency rooms before receiving pain medication.
However, even when they do receive treatment, it may not work as expected.
Ibuprofen, aspirin, and even opioids—common pain relievers—often provide less relief to women than to men. That’s especially alarming since women are more likely to suffer from chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, migraines, and autoimmune diseases.
Why the Difference?
1. Biological Makeup
Men and women metabolize drugs differently. Women typically have a higher percentage of body fat and lower water content, which changes how drugs are absorbed, distributed, and eliminated.
In addition, pain signals are processed differently in male and female brains. Women have more nerve receptors related to pain and a stronger immune response, which may amplify discomfort.
2. Hormones at Play
Hormones like estrogen and progesterone influence how pain is felt and how drugs perform. For example, women’s sensitivity to pain can increase during certain phases of their menstrual cycle. That means a painkiller might work on one day—and be useless the next.
Hormonal birth control and menopause can also affect how pain medications function, adding another layer of complexity.
3. Medical Research Bias
Here’s the kicker: most pain medications were tested primarily on men.
Historically, clinical trials avoided female participants due to the “complication” of hormonal fluctuations. As a result, medications were developed and dosed based on male bodies—and doctors were left in the dark about how those same drugs would work in women.
It wasn’t until 1993 that the U.S. mandated the inclusion of women in clinical trials. But even today, studies often fail to analyze sex-based differences in drug efficacy.
The Consequences
Because painkillers are less effective in women, doctors may increase doses—leading to higher risks of side effects, including addiction in the case of opioids. Or worse, they may dismiss the pain altogether, leaving patients to suffer in silence.
This isn’t just a women’s issue. It’s a healthcare equity issue.
What Can Be Done?
- More Inclusive Research: We need more clinical trials designed to understand how drugs affect different sexes—and how to tailor treatments accordingly.
- Sex-Specific Pain Management: Doctors should be trained to consider biological sex when prescribing medications and evaluating pain.
- Non-Drug Alternatives: For many women, therapies like physical therapy, acupuncture, or cognitive behavioral therapy may offer better relief than pharmaceuticals alone.
Final Thoughts
Pain is personal—but science has long treated it as one-size-fits-all. It’s time to rethink how we treat pain in women, not just because they deserve better care, but because ignoring half the population is a dangerous mistake.
If you’ve ever felt like your pain isn’t being taken seriously—or that your meds just don’t work—you’re not alone. And now, at least, you know: it’s not just in your head. It’s in the system.