Chronic pain affects about one in five people worldwide, and women make up as much as two-thirds of that number.
A new study from Aalborg University in Denmark suggests that poor sleep could be one reason why—and that women may be more sensitive to this effect than men.
The research, published in the European Journal of Pain, shows that disturbed sleep increases the body’s sensitivity to pain, with women reacting more strongly.
The findings point to sleep as an often-overlooked factor in both understanding and treating chronic pain.
“For years, treatment has focused on stronger and more targeted medication,” said Kristian Kjær-Staal Petersen, an associate professor and pain researcher at Aalborg University.
“But perhaps the solution is simpler. Sleep may play a bigger role in pain than we realized—especially for women.”
In the study, 59 healthy adults aged 18 to 45 took part in a three-night experiment.
Each night, they were woken up three times and asked to complete small tasks before going back to sleep.
Researchers measured their pain sensitivity before and after the experiment, and the results were clear: even short-term sleep disruption made participants more sensitive to pain, affecting both their bodies and minds.
This is the first experimental study to directly link sleep disturbance, increased pain sensitivity, and gender. But Petersen notes that it fits into a larger pattern seen in other studies involving hundreds of patients.
“When different studies point to the same conclusion, it strengthens the evidence,” he said. “Sleep quality is vital for many body functions, from the immune system to mental health and overall lifestyle.”
Currently, chronic pain treatment usually involves three main approaches: exercise therapy, medication, and surgery.
While these can help, many patients still struggle to find relief. Exercise often reduces pain by about 20–25%, and common medications achieve similar results but can cause side effects. Surgery works for some but can worsen the problem for others.
Because of these limitations, researchers are now exploring sleep as a possible key to improving outcomes. Petersen points out that in treating depression and anxiety—both closely linked to pain—addressing sleep problems is often the first step before other treatments work effectively.
The Aalborg team plans to study how sleep therapy might benefit pain patients, particularly those who haven’t responded to conventional methods.
“Sleep therapy won’t be the answer for everyone,” Petersen said, “but it could make a real difference—especially in complex cases where we currently lack good options.”
The research adds to growing evidence that getting consistent, high-quality sleep is more than just a lifestyle choice—it could be a crucial part of preventing and managing chronic pain, especially for women.
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