If you’ve ever felt like your pain just doesn’t let up—while the men around you seem to bounce back faster—you’re not imagining it. A growing body of research suggests that women’s pain can last longer and be more intense, and a new study highlighted in Newser points to two possible biological players: the hormone testosterone and an anti-inflammatory molecule called interleukin-10 (IL-10).

This doesn’t mean women are “weaker” or “too sensitive.” It means their bodies may process pain differently at a cellular and hormonal level. Understanding this science can be empowering: it validates what many women have known for years and opens the door to more personalized, effective pain care.

Woman sitting on a couch holding her shoulder in pain while a healthcare provider listens
Many women report their pain lasting longer and being taken less seriously—new research suggests biology plays a real role.

In this article, we’ll unpack what the latest findings actually show, what they don’t prove yet, and how you can use this information to better advocate for yourself or someone you love who lives with pain.


The Pain Gap: Why Women’s Pain Is So Often Dismissed

Across many cultures, women are more likely than men to be labeled “dramatic” or “hysterical” when they report pain. Yet epidemiological studies consistently show:

  • Women report chronic pain more frequently than men.
  • Conditions like migraines, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome are more common in women.
  • Women are more likely to have their pain attributed to psychological causes and less likely to receive strong pain medications in emergency settings.
“For years, women’s pain was written off as emotional or exaggerated. We’re finally starting to see that biology—not character flaws—is driving a lot of these differences.”
— Dr. Elena Ruiz, Pain Medicine Specialist

The new research discussed in Newser fits into this broader picture: it suggests that biological factors like hormones and immune signaling may help explain why pain can linger longer in women’s bodies.


What the New Study Suggests: Testosterone, IL-10, and Faster Recovery in Men

The study highlighted by Newser (as of March 2026) proposes that two main factors may help men recover from pain more quickly:

  1. Testosterone – the primary “male” sex hormone (also present in women at lower levels) that may have pain-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects.
  2. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) – an anti-inflammatory signaling molecule (cytokine) produced by immune cells, known to calm down overactive inflammation.

While details vary by study design, the general pattern researchers observe is:

  • Men tend to show higher levels or stronger responses of IL-10 after certain painful or inflammatory events.
  • Testosterone may interact with the immune system to encourage this anti-inflammatory IL-10 response.
  • This combination could help turn off pain signals more quickly, shortening the duration of pain.

In simpler terms: men may have a biological “off switch” for pain that flips more easily, thanks in part to testosterone and IL-10. Women may have a harder time flipping that switch, which can translate into longer-lasting pain.


How Hormones and the Immune System Shape Pain

Pain is not just about the injured body part. It’s the result of a conversation between your nervous system, hormones, and immune cells. Here’s how these pieces fit together:

1. Testosterone: Not Just a “Male” Hormone

Testosterone is best known for its role in male sexual development, but it also:

  • Influences pain-processing regions in the brain and spinal cord.
  • Interacts with immune cells to affect inflammation.
  • May raise the threshold at which pain is perceived.

Studies have found that lower testosterone levels in men can be associated with higher pain sensitivity and more chronic pain, although this is not universal.

2. Interleukin-10 (IL-10): The Immune System’s “Calm Down” Signal

IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. When produced in adequate amounts, it can:

  • Reduce production of pro-inflammatory molecules that drive pain.
  • Help quiet overactive immune responses.
  • Potentially limit the transition from short-term (acute) to long-term (chronic) pain.
Pain involves a complex interaction between nerves, hormones, and immune signals like interleukin-10.

3. Why Women May Experience Less IL-10–Mediated Relief

Some experimental data suggest that female animals and, in certain contexts, women may show:

  • Different patterns of IL-10 production in response to injury or inflammation.
  • Influence from estrogen and progesterone that may shape immune responses differently from testosterone.
  • A tendency toward more persistent microglial (immune cell) activation in the nervous system, which can sustain pain.

When Science Meets Real Life: A Case Example

Consider two patients with similar knee injuries:

  • Jordan, a 35-year-old man, reports intense pain in the first week but starts to improve quickly. Within 4–6 weeks, he’s mostly back to normal activity.
  • Maya, a 35-year-old woman, follows the same rehab plan but still has significant pain after 3 months, especially after long days at work.

In many clinical settings, Jordan’s experience is seen as “typical recovery,” while Maya’s lingering pain can be questioned—sometimes even blamed on stress or anxiety. The newer research suggests that:

  • Maya’s slower improvement may reflect differences in hormone levels and immune signaling, not lack of effort.
  • Her pain is biologically real, even if tests and scans look “normal.”
  • She may need a more tailored pain-management approach instead of being told to “push through it.”
“Once I started telling patients, ‘There are biological reasons your pain might last longer,’ I saw their shoulders drop. They were relieved to learn it wasn’t all in their head.”
— Physical Therapist, Clinical Case Discussion

What This Research Means (and Doesn’t Mean) for You

It’s tempting to look for a single culprit—“low testosterone” or “not enough IL-10”—and hope for a quick fix. But the reality is more nuanced.

What the Findings Do Suggest

  • Women’s pain experiences have a strong biological basis, not just psychological or social ones.
  • Hormones and immune signaling can influence how intense pain feels and how long it lasts.
  • Men and women may respond differently to the same injury or condition, even with identical treatments.

What the Findings Do Not Prove

  • That all women will always have more pain than all men.
  • That taking testosterone or IL-10–targeted therapies will magically “cure” chronic pain.
  • That psychological factors like stress, trauma, and mood don’t matter. (They do—but they’re only part of the story.)

Practical Steps: How Women Can Advocate for Better Pain Care

While researchers continue to study testosterone, IL-10, and other biological drivers of the pain gap, there are concrete things you can do now to improve how your pain is understood and managed.

Woman discussing pain management options with her doctor in a clinic
Preparing for medical visits and tracking your symptoms can significantly improve how your pain is treated.

1. Prepare for Appointments

  • Keep a pain diary noting when pain starts, what worsens or eases it, and how it affects daily life.
  • Write down specific questions before your visit (e.g., “What could be driving this persistent pain biologically?”).
  • Bring a support person if you feel your concerns are often minimized.

2. Use Clear, Concrete Language

Instead of saying “It just hurts,” try:

  • “On a 0–10 scale, my pain is usually a 7 and rarely below a 5.”
  • “Because of this pain, I can’t stand for more than 10 minutes or sleep through the night.”
  • “I’ve tried X, Y, and Z treatments with limited relief.”

3. Ask About a Multidisciplinary Approach

Chronic pain is rarely solved by one intervention alone. Talk with your provider about combining:

  • Medical options: appropriate medications, nerve blocks, or other procedures.
  • Rehabilitation: physical therapy, graded exercise, occupational therapy.
  • Psychological support: pain-focused CBT, mindfulness-based stress reduction.
  • Lifestyle strategies: sleep, stress management, nutrition, and movement.

4. Consider Hormone and Health Checkups

While routine hormone testing is not the answer for every pain patient, you can ask your clinician whether any of the following are appropriate:

  • Screening for conditions that affect hormones (e.g., thyroid disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, premature menopause).
  • Reviewing medications that might influence hormone levels and pain.
  • Evaluating overall immune and inflammatory markers if clinically indicated.

Everyday Strategies That May Support Your Body’s Natural Pain-Calming Systems

While no lifestyle change can guarantee shorter pain duration, certain habits may support healthier hormone balance and immune function, which could indirectly influence how your body handles pain.

Woman practicing gentle yoga and stretching at home
Gentle movement, restorative sleep, and stress reduction can help modulate pain over time.
  • Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of consistent sleep. Poor sleep amplifies pain sensitivity and disrupts hormonal rhythms.
  • Move regularly (within your limits): Gentle activities—walking, stretching, yoga, or aquatic exercise—can improve circulation, mood, and pain thresholds.
  • Focus on anti-inflammatory eating patterns: Emphasize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and omega-3–rich foods (like fatty fish), while limiting ultra-processed foods and excessive added sugar.
  • Manage stress: Chronic stress alters hormone levels and heightens pain. Practices like breathing exercises, mindfulness, and paced activities can help.
  • Build support: Connecting with others who live with chronic pain—through support groups or online communities—can reduce isolation and offer practical coping ideas.

The Future of Pain Research: Toward More Personalized, Gender-Informed Care

The focus on testosterone and IL-10 is part of a broader shift in medicine: acknowledging that sex and gender matter in how diseases develop, how treatments work, and how pain is experienced.

Researchers are now exploring:

  • Why some women are more resilient to chronic pain than others.
  • How menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause alter pain pathways.
  • Whether boosting anti-inflammatory pathways like IL-10—safely—could prevent acute pain from becoming chronic.
  • How social factors (bias, discrimination, workload, caregiving roles) amplify biological vulnerabilities.
Researchers in a lab discussing data on a computer screen
Future pain research aims to design treatments that consider sex, gender, hormones, and immune responses together.
“We’re moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to pain. The goal is to deliver treatments that respect the biological and social realities of each patient—especially women, whose pain has been sidelined for far too long.”
— Researcher in Pain Neuroimmunology

Moving Forward: Your Pain Is Real, and It Deserves Attention

The emerging science around testosterone, interleukin-10, and pain recovery doesn’t give us all the answers—but it does send a powerful message: women’s pain is real, biologically complex, and worthy of serious care.

If your pain has been minimized or dismissed, you are not alone—and you are not “too sensitive.” Your body may be wired to experience and process pain differently, and understanding that can be the first step toward better management and self-advocacy.

As you move forward, consider:

  • Bringing a pain diary and specific questions to your next appointment.
  • Asking your provider how sex and gender might influence your condition and treatment.
  • Exploring a combination of medical care, rehabilitation, psychological support, and lifestyle tools.

You deserve to be believed, to be heard, and to receive care that reflects the best of what modern science knows about pain—especially the kind that lasts longer than anyone expects it to.

Your next step: choose one small action—starting a pain diary, booking an appointment, or sharing this article with someone who needs validation—and take it this week. Incremental steps can still be powerful ones.


Further Reading and Resources