Who Feels More Pain: Men or Women?
Social media is flooded with posts poking fun at how men supposedly can’t handle pain while women, who give birth, endure levels of pain that are off the charts. It’s an opinion shared and reshared endlessly: men fold under the smallest discomfort, while women are built to withstand the unimaginable. This had me curious—what does science actually say about pain tolerance and perception? Let’s take a closer look.
Pain—it’s one of the most universal experiences, yet one of the most subjective. Social media loves to pit genders against each other, especially when it comes to pain tolerance. Posts mocking men for supposedly crumbling under minor discomfort while women, who endure the unimaginable pain of childbirth, are celebrated as unshakable warriors flood our feeds. It’s a narrative that’s endlessly shared and rarely questioned. But is there truth to it, or is this just another stereotype wrapped in a viral meme? Let’s dig into the science and separate the facts from the noise.
How Do We Measure Pain?
First, let’s understand how researchers study pain. Pain can be broken down into three measurable components:
- Pain Threshold: The point at which a stimulus (like heat or pressure) starts to feel painful.
- Pain Tolerance: The maximum level of pain someone can endure before asking for it to stop.
- Pain Response: How someone reacts to pain—through verbal expressions, body language, or seeking help.
Researchers use controlled experiments to measure pain, exposing participants to stimuli like gradually increasing heat, cold, or pressure and asking them to report their pain levels. These studies aim to cut through bias and uncover how pain is truly experienced and perceived.
Breaking Myths: Do Women Really Feel Less Pain?
When we look into research, the findings may surprise you. Studies consistently show that men tend to have a higher pain threshold and tolerance compared to women. In other words, it takes more intense stimulation for men to report pain, and they can generally endure higher levels of discomfort before reaching their limit.
This challenges the stereotype that men are the weaker sex when it comes to pain. However, it’s not that simple—societal norms, hormonal differences, and psychological factors play significant roles.
Societal Expectations and Pain
From a young age, boys are often told to “man up” and avoid showing weakness, while girls may be given more leeway to express discomfort. This cultural script shapes how pain is reported. For example, men may downplay their pain to fit societal ideals of toughness, while women might feel more comfortable voicing their discomfort.
Hormones and Pain Sensitivity
Physiology adds another layer to the story. Hormonal differences between men and women influence how pain is experienced. For example:
- Estrogen, the primary female hormone, has been linked to increased pain sensitivity.
- Testosterone, on the other hand, appears to have pain-dampening effects.
Interestingly, studies on transgender individuals undergoing hormone therapy provide valuable insights. Trans men (individuals assigned female at birth but taking testosterone) often report a decrease in pain sensitivity, while trans women (assigned male at birth and taking estrogen) experience heightened pain perception.
Chronic Pain: The Silent Epidemic
While men might handle acute pain better in lab settings, women are far more likely to experience chronic pain—long-lasting pain that persists for months or even years. Conditions like fibromyalgia, migraines, and autoimmune disorders disproportionately affect women, impacting their quality of life.
The reasons for this disparity are still debated. Hormonal fluctuations, societal pressures, and under-researched conditions likely all contribute. Moreover, men’s tendency to underreport pain might mean their chronic pain goes undiagnosed and untreated.
The Takeaway: Pain Is Personal
Pain is a deeply personal experience, influenced by biology, culture, and psychology. While men might have higher pain thresholds and tolerate discomfort better, this doesn’t make their pain any less valid—or their struggles less significant. Conversely, the ability of women to express pain more openly often leads to better support and treatment.
As self-defense practitioners, we see the importance of understanding pain—not just in physical training but also in how we empathize with others. Pain is not a weakness; it’s a signal, a teacher, and sometimes even a motivator. Whether on the mat or in life, learning to navigate pain—without judgment—is a skill worth mastering.
So, who feels more pain? Perhaps that’s the wrong question. What matters is how we face it, grow from it, and move forward. In the end, resilience isn’t about avoiding pain—it’s about what you do when it comes to knocking.
While I agree that Women are often socialized to be caregivers and are expected to endure discomfort silently to fulfill those roles, while expressing pain may be perceived as a sign of vulnerability that some women feel they cannot emotionally afford.
I believe that learning how to endure pain is a skill, and learning how to identify “good pain vs bad pain,” is important for overall health and mindset.
On the mat, I teach that pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. Your response to pain—whether it’s physical, emotional, or mental—defines your strength. Train your mind, your body, and your spirit to endure, adapt, and overcome. That’s what being strong truly means.
Do something amazing,
Tsahi Shemesh
Founder & CEO
Krav Maga Experts