Study finds pain meds less effective for women

A new study from the University of Calgary reveals that pain medications may be less effective for women than men. The research shows that women and men process pain differently because of biological differences. Dr. Tuan Trang led the study, published in the journal Neuron. It highlights that chronic pain affects more women than men, a trend seen across all ages, including children. The study points to unique immune cells that handle pain in each sex. The research specifically looked at neuropathic pain, which is caused by nerve injuries. One symptom of this type of pain is allodynia, where even light touches can feel painful. The study found that women and men send pain signals through different immune cells, using the same channels but with different outcomes. In females, the activation of these channels releases a hormone called leptin, which can increase pain sensitivity. Dr. Trang notes that most past research has focused on male subjects, leading to treatments that may not work as well for women. Higher levels of leptin have been noted in women with chronic pain for decades. Dr. Lori Montgomery, a pain clinician, emphasizes the need for more research into sex and gender differences. She believes that understanding these differences could help develop more personalized and effective treatments for pain.