This content is in French.
Chronic pain in women: exploring the immune pathway
24 février 2026
By Elodie Vaz | Published on February 24, 2026 | 3 min readChronic pain represents a major public health challenge. Defined by its persistence beyond three to six months, it differs from acute pain by its pathophysiological autonomy: sensory neurons remain activated despite resolution of the initial injury, or even in the absence of peripheral stimulation.Although differences in prevalence and per
By Elodie Vaz | Published on February 24, 2026 | 3 min read
Chronic pain represents a major public health challenge. Defined by its persistence beyond three to six months, it differs from acute pain by its pathophysiological autonomy: sensory neurons remain activated despite resolution of the initial injury, or even in the absence of peripheral stimulation.
Although differences in prevalence and persistence between sexes are well documented, their biological determinants remain insufficiently elucidated. Clinically, assessment still relies largely on self-reported scales (1 to 10), which are subject to significant interindividual variability. The higher frequency of pain complaints among women has therefore often been interpreted through the lens of reporting bias or psychological factors.
Research published on February 20 in Science Immunology by the team of Professor Geoffroy Laumet (Michigan State University) proposes a paradigm shift by identifying a sexually dimorphic immuno-neuronal mechanism involved in pain resolution.
Chronic pain represents a major public health challenge. Defined by its persistence beyond three to six months, it differs from acute pain by its pathophysiological autonomy: sensory neurons remain activated despite resolution of the initial injury, or even in the absence of peripheral stimulation.
Although differences in prevalence and persistence between sexes are well documented, their biological determinants remain insufficiently elucidated. Clinically, assessment still relies largely on self-reported scales (1 to 10), which are subject to significant interindividual variability. The higher frequency of pain complaints among women has therefore often been interpreted through the lens of reporting bias or psychological factors.
Research published on February 20 in Science Immunology by the team of Professor Geoffroy Laumet (Michigan State University) proposes a paradigm shift by identifying a sexually dimorphic immuno-neuronal mechanism involved in pain resolution.
Sign in to read the rest
Reserved for healthcare professionals, free registration.
Scientific reference
Gmuca S, Sharma S, et al. Interleukin-10-producing monocytes contribute to sex differences in pain resolution in mice and humans. Science Immunology. 2026;11. adx0292.
View the source
