Amputation pain different for women - what about other pain?
A January 2010 study shows that amputation pain, including emotional health and pain-coping responses is much different for women than men. In the Journal of Pain, 335 adult patients asked about the level of amputation pain and intensity (phantom pain or residual limb pain), it was clear that women reported both greater pain intensity and more anxiety about that pain. They were also more likely to note that their pain interfered with their daily activities.
Unfortunately, the results of this study show that women may be more susceptible to the "negative functional consequences of limb loss pain," according to the University of Washington School of Medicine's researchers. On top of this, women may suffer even more psychological problems related to that pain than men. Read more about the study: Sex differences in pain and psychological functioning in persons wi....
I am interested in learning more about how this will be related to the recent earthquake in Haiti and the loss of limbs that has occurred there. If you're interested in reading a personal story about limb loss, check out Scott's Story from The Tales of an Amputee Mommy.
What does this study mean for the rest of women's pain? Does this mean that all pain is experienced differently by women? Do you believe that you experience pain in a different way than your male counterpart?
-
Comment by Alicia C. Staley on February 23, 2010 at 4:32pm -
This is a timely post for me on a personal level. Over the past few days, I've been experiencing some "phantom" pains from my double mastectomy. It's hard to think of it in these terms, but most people don't realize that a mastectomy is essentially an amputation of the breast. wow - that was hard to write. :-(
I get sensations all the time that my breast tissues are still there, particularly on the side that's received the most treatment and surgical intervention. Two years after the surgery, I'm still getting them. I've learned to deal with the pain and discomfort.
From my experiences in the cancer realm, I've always felt that woman handled painful situations with more tolerance. From the different people I've met along the way, I've always heard men vocalize their pain more frequently - I don't mean yell out in pain, but talk about it. I'm curious to see if this report addresses the differences between experiencing pain and outwardly acknowleging pain. I think there's a difference.
As for the situation in Haiti, I cannot begin to imagine the depths of pain and loss those folks will deal with for generations to come. I don't think the community is equipped to deal with the physical and emotional fall-out of what's to come for them. The sheer numbers of amputations that were needed to rescue people from entrapment or save them from immediate medical (infectious) conditions was astronomical.
I can't imagine... great topic.
I'll share this in the cancer communities. I'm sure there will be lots of opinions on how we can all learn more about effective pain mangement for both men and women.
Comment
© 2012 Created by Susan M..
You need to be a member of WEGO Health to add comments!
Join WEGO Health