New research on the everyday use of pain medicine reveals that women suffer from migraines and headaches much more frequently than men do, the Daily Telegraph reports. According to London-based market research firm Mintel's new poll, 73 percent of women reported suffering from a headache in the past six months as compared to just 62 percent of men.
As for migraine headaches, 20 percent of women reported experiencing one in the past sixth months, while only 15 percent of men did. Unlike normal headaches, migraines are very painful and often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light.
Why are women far more likely to suffer from headaches and migraines than men?
According to Mintel's new research, menopause and the growing pressure of women to diet and act as the primary caregiver for their children all contribute to more frequent headaches, while young parents are more susceptible to other aches and pains throughout the body due to the stress of caring for kids.
"Women are more likely to have a headache but also to do something about it, to not let pain get in the way. Men are more likely to try and 'man up' but complain about it," Roshida Khanom, Mintel beauty and personal care analyst, said to the Daily Telegraph.
The technology we use in our everyday lives may also be detrimental to our health, as students are more likely to suffer from headaches (76 percent) not only due to stress from a heavy workload, but from excessive time spent staring at smartphones and laptops.
"With all the talk about youth unemployment it's a stressful time to be a student and they are also spending far more time glued to a screen of some description. It's fair to say of course that yes, some of the headaches will be hangovers," Khanom explained.
Jennifer Kelly of the Atlanta Center for Behavioral Medicine explained that fluctuating hormones also contribute to more pain for women, including backaches, neck, shoulder and knee pain.
