Women face up to a 70 per cent higher likelihood of experiencing chronic pain than men, with approximately half of middle-aged women affected by the condition, according to a report by the International Menopause Society cited by ABC News Australia. The condition is frequently under-recognised, underdiagnosed, and inadequately treated during midlife.
International Menopause Society Report Highlights Midlife Pain Gap
Chronic pain, defined as pain lasting more than three months or recurring regularly, heavily impacts women during their midlife years. The International Menopause Society report estimates that about 50 per cent of middle-aged women experience this condition. Rossella Nappi, president of the society and an obstetrician-gynaecologist at the University of Pavia in Italy, stated in the ABC News Australia report that chronic pain in midlife is a heavily neglected subject that often becomes widespread and present every day. UA.News also reported on the findings, noting that the exact biological reasons for the higher prevalence among women remain unknown.
Biological and Hormonal Shifts Drive Midlife Symptoms
Sharon Vasey, chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners menopause health subgroup, explained to ABC News Australia that daily hormone fluctuations can trigger migraines. Nearly three in four women experience joint or muscle pain during perimenopause. Jane Chalmers, a senior lecturer in pain science at the University of Adelaide, noted that vulnerability to pain is multi-factorial, pointing out that biology, psychology, and sociology cannot be separated. Some research suggests women may be more susceptible to central sensitization, a process that prompts the brain to produce heightened pain signals.
Overlapping Pain Syndromes and Social Stressors
Women frequently manage multiple, overlapping chronic pain syndromes simultaneously. These conditions include fibromyalgia and chronic pelvic pain, according to Adelaide University research cited by ABC News Australia. Nicollette Ellis, chair of Chronic Pain Australia and a pharmacist specialising in chronic pain, observed that women frequently shoulder the majority of caregiving responsibilities. This imbalance elevates daily stress levels, which can intensify pain perception. UA.News noted that specialists also link sleep disturbances, mood changes, and inadequate physical activity to the severity of reported symptoms.
Survey Data Reveals Multiple Pain Types
Data from Chronic Pain Australia’s 2026 National Pain Report demonstrates that women rarely experience just one isolated symptom. A survey of more than 6,000 Australians found that women reported an average of 4.6 different types of chronic pain, including migraines, back pain, pelvic pain, joint pain, and nerve pain. Ms Ellis emphasised that health workers must avoid treating these various pain types in isolation and instead evaluate how different bodily systems interact. Professor Nappi added that lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise habits, heavily influence how women age and experience pain symptoms.
Consult practitioners for treatment options
Dr Vasey noted that menopausal hormone therapy can help ease the severity of specific symptoms for some women, though medication is only one available tool. Consulting allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, provides additional relief. Dr Vasey recommends that anyone experiencing persistent pain symptoms should speak directly with a general practitioner to explore treatment options. Meanwhile, Karen Walker-Bone, a professor of occupational rheumatology at Monash University, stressed that broader structural changes are necessary to support midlife women, including ensuring financial stability for retirement and achieving an equitable division of emotional household labour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What defines chronic pain according to the International Menopause Society?
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than three months or keeps recurring on a regular basis.
What percentage of middle-aged women experience chronic pain?
Approximately half of all middle-aged women experience chronic pain, with women facing up to a 70 per cent higher likelihood of experiencing the condition than men.
How many types of chronic pain do women typically report?
A survey of more than 6,000 Australians for Chronic Pain Australia’s 2026 National Pain Report found that women experience an average of 4.6 different types of chronic pain.
What hormonal changes occur during menopause that affect pain levels?
The body produces significantly lower amounts of oestrogen and progesterone, which can lead to joint pain, muscle weakness, stiffness, and hormone fluctuation-driven migraines.