Unpacking the Gender Pain Gap: Pain Prevalence, Perception, and Treatment Disparities by Gender, Including Transgender Populations

In recognition of the Global Year of Sex and Gender Disparities in Pain, we are proud to launch this research topic.

Pain is a universal human experience, yet its manifestation and management are demonstrably influenced by sex and gender. This article collection delves into the complex and often overlooked issue of the gender pain gap, exploring the differences and disparities in pain prevalence, perception, and treatment across genders, including transgender individuals.

This collection will use a broader lens on Pain. While sex hormones and biological factors play a role, our understanding of gender differences in pain goes beyond the binary. Social and cultural constructs of gender significantly impact how individuals experience and report pain. This collection acknowledges the crucial role of:

• Gender-affirming medical and surgical interventions: We explore the potential impact of hormone therapy, chest binding/tucking practices, and gender-affirming surgeries on pain perception and management.

• Social determinants of health: Discrimination, marginalization, and socioeconomic disparities are critical factors influencing pain experiences in transgender populations.

• Body image and gender dysphoria: The complex interplay between these factors and pain perception deserves deeper exploration.

We invite researchers and clinicians to share their investigations which break new ground in:

• Pain profiles across lifespan: Understanding the unique challenges faced by individuals at different stages of life.

• Social factors and pain: Examining how discrimination, marginalization, and social stigma contribute to pain experiences and opioid use.

• The impact of gender identity on pain management: Investigating the effectiveness of current pain management strategies for transgender populations and the need for more tailored approaches.

• The biological underpinnings: Exploring the influence of hormonal changes on pain thresholds in both cisgender and transgender individuals.

• Animal models and pain phenotypes: Utilizing animal models to gain insights into the effects of gender-affirming interventions on pain pathways.

The collection invites studies which delve into the neurological and pharmacological aspects of pain, examining:

• Brain structure and pain perception: Exploring potential gender-related differences in brain anatomy and their connection to pain processing.

• Genital pain and gender-affirming surgery: Investigating the impact of surgery on sensory innervation and pain experiences.

• Analgesic pharmacology: Assessing the effectiveness of pain medication in transgender populations compared to cisgender populations.

Through this Research Topic we aim to unpack the gender pain gap and create a more equitable path to pain management for all.

Keywords: Pain Processing, pain adaptations, Transgender, Sex

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.