WOMEN RATE SOME FORMS OF PAIN HIGHER THAN MEN

Vaughn, A. C., & Koltyn, K. F. (2000). The association between three different painful stimuli in men and women. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), Supplement abstract 411.

The pain responses of men (N = 17) and women (N = 19) exposed to three different painful stimuli (heat, cold, pressure) were examined. Pain threshold and three different pain rating scales were used.

There were no gender differences in pain threshold for any form of stimulation. Women rated heat and pressure sensations significantly higher than men.

Implication. Women rate some forms of pain higher than do men.

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