Women's pain lasts longer than men's, study shows

Researchers report that a subset of immune cells (monocytes) producing interleukin‑10 were more active in males, a pattern linked to faster pain resolution in multiple mouse tests and in people recovering from car accidents.

Researchers at Michigan State University report that women's pain tends to last longer than men's and link this difference to immune activity. They focused on a subset of monocytes that produce interleukin‑10 (IL‑10), a molecule that signals pain‑sensing neurons to calm. The pattern — higher IL‑10 activity in males — appeared across several mouse experiments and in a human recovery sample. The authors present the findings as a biological explanation for sex differences in pain duration. Key findings: - A subset of monocytes that produce IL‑10 was identified as involved in signaling pain‑sensing neurons to reduce activity. - IL‑10–producing monocytes were reported as more active in male subjects, which researchers linked to faster pain resolution. - When male sex hormones were blocked in experiments, the observed effect on monocyte activity changed, supporting a hormone‑immune connection. - The team ran at least five different mouse tests showing consistent outcomes and observed similar immune patterns in people recovering from car accidents. - The study was led by Geoffroy Laumet and Jaewon Sim and published in Science Immunology (2026). Summary: The research frames pain resolution as an active, immune‑driven process and offers a biological explanation for why chronic pain affects women at higher rates. Translating the finding into non‑opioid treatments is described by the researchers as likely to take years or longer.