It has always been said that men typically have a higher pain tolerance than women, but according to a recent study it may actually be a true statement. Researchers at Stanford University examined more than 160,000 pain scores taken from more than 72,000 patients. The patients suffered from more than 250 different diagnoses. The pain scores were measured on a 10 point scale and according to the study’s results, women typically had a 1 point higher score than men, which was noted as a significant difference.

The study is considered one of the largest studies to examine gender differences in human pain perception. Some scientists reject the study’s findings because pain is regarded as a subjective measurement. A person’s mood, medications and other bodily functions can alter the way pain is perceived. Despite the study’s quandaries, its scale was large enough to solicit the attention of the medical and scientific realms. One thing is for certain, the study has introduced a new area for further research, as understanding what factors contribute to pain perception in different individuals could be of significant value.